We Are RIff Raft Racing, the USA Men's Open National Rafting Team, promoting the sport of raft racing and conservation of the waterways we use for the future.
“Colorado Riff Raft” was a whitewater rafting outfitter that started on the Roaring Fork River near Aspen, CO which eventually dissappeared through an acquisition and merger. Local boaters remember the ‘good old days’ of pioneering many of the different river sections in our area. The name Riff Raft Racing pays homage to the paddlers before us who opened the gates for an amazing boating community with deep threads found within our local rivers.
Members of Riff Raft Racing took different paths to the put-in, but ended up in the same boat. Much of the team found their passion for raft racing through the annual Slaughterhouse Race which is held annually on the Class IV Slaughtehouse section of the Roaring Fork River at the beginning of every summer. Riff Raft Racing is proud to be hosting the event starting Summer of 2024. For more information and to sign up, click here.
The current team has traces of racing dating back to 2015. In 2021, we won the prestigious Gore Canyon Race. 2022 brought a victory at Regionals in Cañon City, Colorado earning us a spot on the National Stage. Nationals that season was cancelled due to wildfire, so we set our sights on 2023. That year, we took home the title at USRA National Championship. We defended our title again in 2024 at the USRA National Championship at the Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival near Estacada, Oregon.
Meet the Team
Conrad Niven
Has a dedicated passion to whitewater that some would call “An unhealthy obsession” He is usually seated back right and when not racing he is hucking himself off waterfalls
Johnny Youngs
An Athlete in the true sense of the word. He is the carrot to chase for our paddling tempo and dry land workouts. doesn’t disappoint in the brains department either being the team’s CPA.
Trevor Fredrickson
Small but mighty! Ever the coach and team motivator Trevor is your USRA vice Pres. and has a huge hand in the development of races and team training.
Taylor Norman
The conservation and good will heart of the team, keeping us on track with our goals of preserving river sections! He is a left side alternate for R6 events.
Scott Lacy
The Team USA Nordic athlete turned paddle racer. Scott has raced all over the world on 2 skinny planks and now brings his experience to the raft team as alternate and kayaker for larger expeditions
Curtis Berklund
This man’s stoke knows no bounds. Equally at home behind a set of oars or a race paddle, his bow paddling position keeps the team motivated
Tyler Aikens
The face of the team. He is the fundraising king and our front right paddler. He is also an avid skier and softball player.
Past Race Results
June 22, 2024 — We hosted the annual Slaughterhouse Race in Aspen, CO for the first time! Members of our team captained boats of friends and our community to compete in this historic race.
June 16, 2024 — FibArk, Salida, CO, Arkansas River - Downriver Raft Marathon in 2hr17min05sec, 1st place.
May 28-June 2, 2024 — IRF World Rafting Championship, Vrbas River, Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina - 10th place overall! 7th in Downriver, 8th in Slalom, 12th in Head-to-Head, 9th in Sprint.
May 17-19, 2024 — USRA National Championship, Clackamas River, OR - 1st place in R4 Downriver, Spring, Head-to-Head and Slalom
May 11, 2024 — Pagosa Paddle, Pagosa Springs, CO - 1st Place in Sprint, Head-to-Head and Slalom
September 18, 2023 — GauleyFest, Gauley River, WV - 1st Place R4 Animal Race Downriver, 2nd Place overall
August 24, 2023 — GoreFest, Colorado River, CO - No race again this year, but we maybe probably had the most fun!
August 13, 2023 — Pine Creek Race, Arkansas River, Granite, CO - 1st Place R6 Downriver
July 21-22, 2023 — Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival, Arkansas River, CO - 1st Place in R6 Downriver, 1st & 2nd Place R2 Head-to-Head
July 2nd, 2023 — SlaughterFest, Roaring Fork River, CO - 1st Place R4 Slaughterhouse Downriver Raft Race
June 23-25, 2023 — USRA National Championship, Arkansas River, CO - 1st Place in R4 Downriver, Sprint, Head-to-Head, Slalom
August 27, 2022 — GoreFest, Colorado River, CO - Defending Champs! No race this year, COVID hangover. Fun weekend of paddling!
June 8, 2022 — SlaughterFest, Roaring Fork River, CO - 1st Place R4 Slaughterhouse Downriver Raft Race
August 27, 2021 — GoreFest, Colorado River, CO - 1st Place, R4 Gore Canyon Class V Downriver Race
July 23, 2021 — USRA Regional Qualifier, Arkansas River, Canon City, CO. 1st Place R4
June 20, 2021 — FibARK, Arkansas River, Salida, CO - 2nd Place in Downriver Marathon
June 11, 2021 — SlaughterFest, Roaring Fork River, CO - 1st Place R4 Slaughterhouse Downriver Raft Race
2020 — Race Season was killed by COVID-19
August 2019 — GoreFest, Colorado River, CO - 3rd Place, R4 Gore Canyon Class V Downriver Race
July 12, 2019 — SlaughterFest, Roaring Fork River, CO - 2nd Place R4 Slaughterhouse Downriver Raft Race
May 30, 2018 — SlaughterFest, Roaring Fork River, CO - 3rd Place R4 Slaughterhouse Downriver Raft Race
July 2, 2017 — SlaughterFest, Roaring Fork River, CO - 3rd Place R4 Slaughterhouse Downriver Raft Race
Our Mission
Continual growth.
We are dedicated to training and working with the best in the world to achieve our athletic goals on the international rafting circuit.
Local Support
We are growing the sport of raft racing by hosting events and providing visibility, support, and funding for event athletes.
Pay it Forward.
We are passionate about rivers, and work to protect the domestic and foreign rivers we work, play, and race on.
