The Struma River in Bulgaria will host a weekend of whitewater competition on 17–18 October 2026, with the Balkan Rafting Cup opening the programme on Saturday and the Kayak Cup following on Sunday.
Held at the Struma River slalom course, the Balkan Rafting Cup will feature the Adventure format, with Men’s, Women’s and Mixed teams competing in Head-to-Head, Slalom and Sprint. Racing starts at 10:00 on Saturday, 17 October.
Each discipline brings a different challenge. Sprint rewards speed and coordinated paddling from the first stroke. Slalom demands precise lines through the gates, where a mistake can undo a fast run. Head-to-Head puts crews in direct competition, adding tactical decisions to the physical effort of racing.
For rafting teams, the event is an opportunity to put their skills to the test across all three disciplines and meet fellow paddlers on the river. For spectators, the programme offers a chance to follow the racing and see how crews handle the course under competitive pressure.
The weekend continues on Sunday, 18 October, when kayakers take to the same venue for the Kayak Cup, competing in Slalom and Sprint. Racing again starts at 10:00, bringing individual paddling skills into focus after Saturday’s team competition.
With rafting and kayaking sharing the programme, the Struma will be the meeting point for two days of racing and river sport.
Save the dates: 17–18 October 2026, Struma River slalom course, Bulgaria.
