Photo gallery: Provo River Race

Competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.

Competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)


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PROVO — A group of whitewater kayakers gathered near Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon Saturday morning to do battle with a section of the Class III–IV waters of the Provo River and race each other.

According to the organizers' website, "the Bridal Veil Falls section of the Provo River stretches from the Olmsted Dam to the Diversion Dam at Nunns Park. The most challenging portion of the river comes right in front of Bridal Veil Falls itself, known as the Crux. At the Crux, the gradient increases and the river constricts, creating the largest waves and holes on the river.

"At high flows, this section boasts continuous whitewater that stretches for nearly half a mile and can push class IV. At lower flows, the whitewater remains a continuous class III but offers more technical rapids with plenty of solid eddy lines to put a smile on your face."

There were two categories for the races — slalom and boater cross. Safety was the priority during Saturday's competition.

For more information on the Provo River Race, visit the organizer's website: ProvoRiverKayak.com

Deseret News photojournalist Scott G Winterton captured the energy of Saturday's competition in these photos.

Competitors carry their kayaks to the starting location prior to competing in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Competitors carry their kayaks to the starting location prior to competing in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Competitors talk prior to competing in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Competitors talk prior to competing in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Brendon Mackey begins a run as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Brendon Mackey begins a run as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Marc Nelson and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Marc Nelson and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Hikers watch from a bridge as competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Hikers watch from a bridge as competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Katie Orr smiles as she hits a low spot in the water as she and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Katie Orr smiles as she hits a low spot in the water as she and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
A safety boat watches as competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
A safety boat watches as competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Lenore Perot and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Lenore Perot and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Erick Jones looks downriver as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Erick Jones looks downriver as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Competitors ride on a trailer back to the start after making runs as they compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Competitors ride on a trailer back to the start after making runs as they compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Brendon Mackey prepares to begin a run as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Brendon Mackey prepares to begin a run as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Hank Evette and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Hank Evette and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Dan Varick looks downriver as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Dan Varick looks downriver as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
lan Boyer reacts as his kayak plunges into a hole in the water as competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
lan Boyer reacts as his kayak plunges into a hole in the water as competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Onlookers watch as competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Onlookers watch as competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
John Asay catches a face full of water as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
John Asay catches a face full of water as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Jason Malczyk paddles hard as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Jason Malczyk paddles hard as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Kayaks wait to go into the water as competitors prepare to compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Kayaks wait to go into the water as competitors prepare to compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Kevin O'Rieley reacts as he drops into a hole in the water as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Kevin O'Rieley reacts as he drops into a hole in the water as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Aaron Reynolds looks for a line as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Aaron Reynolds looks for a line as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Competitors get ready to compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Competitors get ready to compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Marc Nelson and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Marc Nelson and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Jason Malczyk steers his kayak as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Jason Malczyk steers his kayak as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Friends of the racers cheer as the competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Friends of the racers cheer as the competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Parker Phillips eyes a line as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Parker Phillips eyes a line as he and other competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
Chad Phillips reacts to people watching from the shore as he works his way down the course as competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday.
Chad Phillips reacts to people watching from the shore as he works his way down the course as competitors compete in the Provo River Race, a whitewater kayak competition in Provo Canyon on Saturday. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

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