The Columbus Cup

APRIL 10 - 12, 2026

The Columbus Cup is the premier U.S. freestyle kayaking event on the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Georgia, where top paddlers throw down high-flying tricks on one of the Southeast’s most exciting standing waves. The event transforms the riverfront into a festival atmosphere, drawing athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and the local community together to celebrate competition, adventure sports, and the river project that transformed Columbus into a world-class whitewater destination.

Paddle South Freestyle Tour

In its inaugural year, the Paddle South Freestyle Tour links several of the top events and whitewater venues across the Southeast into one regional freestyle kayaking series. It provides a structured circuit where athletes earn points across multiple stops, raising the level of competition and attracting elite paddlers from around the country and abroad.

Why We Created the Tour

The Columbus Cup has it all: the warm spring weather of the Southeast, the largest purse in North American freestyle competition, a vibrant host city, and an epic feature to compete on. We’ve already attracted many of North America’s top paddlers, and we believe the tour will draw even more international athletes. With the launch of the Paddle South Freestyle Tour, the Columbus Cup is poised to reach a whole new level, serving as both the flagship event and awards venue for the series. The tour is the next step in maximizing what the Columbus Cup can be.