Sometimes a sporting event is as much about the landscape as it is about the competitive event. One such competition is the “Great Falls Race”, a dramatic and dazzling event in the annual Potomac River Festival. This extreme whitewater race is a quick, adrenaline-packed descent of 60 vertical feet through the Potomac’s spectacular Class V+ rapids and falls. While the course varies from year to year based on water flow conditions, the race course line along the Virginia shore goes through two challenging rapids and over ‘The Spout’, an iconic 20 foot waterfall.
Safety personnel line the rocks as kayaks navigate the rapids approaching The Spout.
A kayak challenges the elements as they maneuver into position for The Spout.
The Spout is an iconic spot on the Virginia side of Great Falls. Great Falls National Park has an overlook looking down directly onto The Spout.
A kayak digs in as they descend the main portion of The Spout.
A kayaker fearlessly rides a thunderous wall of luminous water as it goes over the edge.
The far side of The Spout features less flow that makes the 20 foot plunge seem all the more precipitous.
A kayaker navigating a small chute leading over far side of The Spout waterfall.
The colorful kayaks really pop in the images.
Going vertical!
Descending one handed on the paddle...
Close up shots reveal the chaos of the water surrounding the kayers as they go over the waterfall!
Kayakers seemingly being swallowed by the river as they go over the main portion of The Spout.
