The first Huangguoshu Waterfall International Canoe Slalom Extreme is underway from October 24 to 26 in Anshun City, Guizhou Province, in the Chinese mainland. Designed on the world’s first “through-the-waterfall” track, the course harnesses the main turbulent stretch of the 77.8m tall, 101m wide waterfall—Asia’s largest—offering a dramatic stage for over 100 elite athletes from scores of countries and regions, including France, Germany, the United States, the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, and the Chinese mainland.
Competitors face two headline events: the Wildwater Canoe Slalom and a Wildwater Long-Distance Race, both unfolding entirely in natural river channels. With shifting weather patterns and complex river terrain, paddlers must adapt on the fly, navigating unpredictable rapids while maintaining top speed and precision.
This pioneering competition not only tests the limits of human endurance and technique but also highlights Guizhou’s commitment to blending extreme sports with natural heritage protection. Organizers say the event is a blueprint for sustainable adventure tourism, leveraging unique landscapes to create world-class sporting experiences.
As athletes negotiate every drop and eddy beneath the cascading waters, spectators around the globe are tuning in—drawn by the raw beauty of Huangguoshu and the thrill of high-stakes competition. The event promises to inspire a new generation of paddlers and adventure seekers to explore the world’s hidden whitewater frontiers.
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International canoe slalom sails through Huangguoshu Waterfall
cgtn.com
