2025 Garry Boater X, Scotland
Scotland doesn’t host many whitewater races, but the ones it does are pure gold. And the Garry Boater-X is the crown jewel – a uniquely accessible, inclusive, and downright rowdy celebration of Scottish kayaking culture.
On Saturday 26th July, more than 90 racers stormed the River Garry for a day of head-to-head chaos. Forget polished slalom runs, this is full-throttle carnage, with up to seven paddlers charging down a bouncy Class III section at once.
This is full-throttle carnage, with up to seven paddlers charging down a bouncy Class III section at once.
Scotland may be small, but with endless rivers and no real off-season, you can pretty much paddle year-round, depending how low-grade or low-temp you’re willing to stoop. The real gem, though, is scheduled summer dam releases (thanks to Paddle Scotland), which keep the classics running even in dry spells: the Tummel, the Moriston, the Awe… and, of course, the Garry. Well beloved for its forgiving lines, abundant challenges, and Scotland’s best-known playwave, the Garry is where the whole community gathers.
The race mirrors that spirit. There are no categories beyond male and female, and this year under-18s joined the mix for the first time – the youngest only 11 years old. The opening draw is random, meaning a total newbie can find themselves battling a premier division powerhouse in round one. The format is simple in theory, but chaotic in practice: four rounds, with racers shuffled into upper and lower brackets after the opener, then moving within those brackets until the finals. Land in the lower bracket early and you’re stuck there, so that first run really counts.
Prizes keep things just as level. Beyond guaranteed awards for the fastest man, woman, and junior (thanks to Palm Equipment and inland surf facility Lost Shore), every other prize is pulled out of the hat – a heat winner at the bottom end has just as much chance of bagging an Immersion Research cag or a Sweet Protection helmet as the second-fastest paddler of the day.
Locals say, “It’s always sunny on the Garry.” Whether or not that’s true, the stoke is undeniable. Smiles, hugs, heckles, and constant encouragement carry the day. If you want racing with more passion than polish, put this one in your calendar. You don’t need to be elite – you just need to be there.
- Garry Boater-X takes place around the last weekend of July each year.
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Words: Cara McNamara | Photography: Dalee Sports Photography
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