Cooper Landing Drift Boat Regatta
About the Event
The Cooper Landing Regatta is a sporting event that takes place on the beautiful, turquoise water of the Kenai River. Our event covers seven river miles and features two boat categories- drift boats and rafts. The drift boat category is a racing contest where teams compete to be the fastest rowers on the river. The rafting category is a river clean up group competition to remove litter debris from the river corridor.
We welcome individual racers and those sponsored by local businesses and corporations. Your entry fees and financial contributions to this event supports our fundraising efforts for the Kenai River Sportfishing Association.
Join Us for the 17th Annual Regatta on
Saturday, May 18th, 2024
Event Schedule
- 11:45 to 12:30 – Boats in the water at Eagle Landing Resort
- 12:00 pm – Racer Sign-in & Pre-Race Barbecue at Eagle Landing Resort
- 12:40– Participant Meeting
- 1:00 pm – Official Drift Boat Regatta Start
- 1:30 pm – Official Raft River Clean Up Start
- 4:00 pm – Regatta & Raft Clean Up Complete at Sportsman’s Boat Launch
- 4:30 pm – Awards and Door Prizes at Sunrise Inn
Starting Location
Award Location
Competition Categories
Drift Boat Regatta
The Cooper Landing Drift Boat Regatta is a friendly sporting event where participants race to be the fastest team to row seven river miles on the Upper Kenai River. Competitors compete in teams of two in aluminum drift boats. The slowest team wins the Red Lantern award.
Awards:
- 1st place: $400
- 2nd place: $200
- 3rd place: $100
- Last place: Red Lantern Award
- Best costume: Surprise
Entry Fee:
- The cost to participate is $50 per boat.
- All competitors must sign a risk waiver in order to compete.
- Entry fee includes two free drink tickets for the Regatta Awards Ceremony.
Race Course:
- Starting Point- Eagle Landing Resort.
- Ending Point- 300ft upstream from Sportsman’s Boat Launch.
- Drift Boats should be aluminum and sized at 18ft or 20ft in length.
- All competitors must wear a life jacket while on the river.
- All teams must be respectful of others throughout the race course.
Raft River Clean Up
The Cooper Landing Raft River Clean Up is a family friendly event that seeks to remove litter from roughly seven miles of the Upper Kenai River. Groups work together to collect and remove fishing line, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, old boots, etc. All trash cleanup participants will receive a ticket to be entered to win a variety of prizes.
Awards:
- All participants are entered into a drawing for door prizes.
- Best costume: Surprise!
Entry Fee:
- The cost to participate is $40 per vessel.
- All participants must sign a risk waiver in order to compete.
- Entry fee includes two free drink tickets for the Regatta Awards Ceremony.
Race Course:
- Starting Point- Eagle Landing Resort.
- Ending Point- 300ft upstream from Sportsman’s Boat Launch.
- Rafts should be sized between 10ft to 20ft in length. Drift boats are allowed to enter.
- No small watercraft (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, single-man catarafts) are allowed to enter.
- All competitors must wear a life jacket while on the river.
- All teams must be respectful of others throughout the race course.
Photos of 2022's Regatta
Need inspiration or ideas? View Best Route Production’s Photos from last year’s competition.
Thank You to our Sponsors
Become a Sponsor
Join the Cooper Landing Chamber for the upcoming 17th Annual Drift Boat Regatta by becoming a sponsor. All proceed benefit the Kenai River Sportfishing Association’s river stewardship programs for the Kenai River watershed.
$250 Drift Boat Sponsor
- Sponsor receives their business name on a flag to be displayed on the drift boat throughout the race and at the awards ceremony.
- Includes the registration fee of one drift boat.
- Two free drink tickets at the awards ceremony.
- Advertising on event webpage and social media.
$200 Raft Sponsor
- Sponsor receives their business name on a flag to be displayed on the raft throughout the race and at the awards ceremony.
- Includes the registration fee of one raft.
- Two free drink tickets at the awards ceremony.
- Advertising on event webpage and social media.
Prize Sponsor
- Donate a prize for the drift boat contestants or the raft contestants prize raffle and receive your business name on the event website and social media accounts.
