Turner Bend 45th Annual Jungle Boater Race
3-8-2026
River Level 3 feet
Course 8-mile race from Byrd's Landing to Turner Bend Landing
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE JUNGLE BOATER RACE
The first Jungle Boater Race was held May 23, 1982. This was one year into my ownership / management of Turner Bend. At first we called it the Turner Bend Canoe Race. Ten boats entered that year's race which started at Low Water Bridge. George Locke won that race in a kayak (we didn't have categories). First, second, and third place finishers won cases of Hamms beer which the thirsty boaters demanded be shared on the spot.
The race date was moved to early June the next year and kayaks were banned. Also that second year we had a cold keg of beer waiting at the finish line and the race was nick named The Race To The Keg. By year three we had three categories and 24 canoes entered. Still no kayaks. A couple of races in the early years the river was so low we had to drag through many of the shoals. We continued with the June event date through the 1993 race when we decided that June resulted in either low water and a tough race, or good water and too much canoe rental business for us to be hosting a boat race at the same time.
1994 was the first year for an early March date and also a new name for the race: The Jungle Boater. The hearty participants shrugged off the early March chill with a chill of their own and the reputation grew.
It was 2001 before we relented and created kayak categories. By 2002 we had the hoist installed at the Turner Bend landing. Prior to that you had to drag your boat up the steps at the end of the race. 2005 was the first year the race started at Byrd's Adventure Center which was a vast improvement. In 2007 fiddler Bill Thurman wandered down to the landing and asked if he could play. Yes indeed! Thus was born the tradition of having live music at the year's end. Also in 2007 we purchased a gong to start the race thus the new slogan Bang The Gong! Get It On.! Liability fears caused us to quit the cold keg at race's end and replace it with chowder. Prior to 2013 we started a boat per minute which meant if we had sixty boats it took an hour to start the race. That year we mass started each category to beat a fast rising river to the Low Water Bridge. It was an easy decision to keep this format for the start of the race and left us wondering why it took so long to change. Along the way we have added raft, paddle board, "Geezer" categories, and many great friends. 2026 was a record turnout and a great time.
Long Live The Jungle Boater!
45th Annual Jungle Boater Race
Bang the Gong-Get it On!
Sunday, March 8th, 2026 - 12:00 Noon
Daylight saving time.
Spring Forward the clock 1 hour to not miss the race!
Registration is available below.
No last-minute registration on the date of the race;
after registration, print the liability release below-fill out requested information, sign, and email the liability release to
turnerbendstore23@gmail.com
Your bag which has the race # and t-shirt to be picked up will not be ready if we do not receive the registration or the liability release by March 6th.
Pre-Register online by 5pm Friday, March 6th. If river level exceeds 4.2" we will reschedule for March 15th
Race begins at 12:00 p.m.
Racecourse: Byrds to Turner Bend
Entry Fee: $35/person (includes T-shirt)
Bring your own boat for the race
$80 Rental Fee for Turner Bend Boat
If you need to rent one, book it online. Cost of the rental boat is separate.
No refund for no show.
Registration includes race # and t-shirt,
Bring your own duct tape to tape race # to the front left of your boat.
Arrange your own shuttle to be at Byrd's Landing at least one hour before the race to prepare and get in line.
Race will start at 12 noon, one-minute intervals in the order of the category listed below.
The race will be on rain or shine. If the river is too high (over 4.2') the race will be move to the following Sunday at the same time.
Category
__Rafts
__Women's SUP
__Women's Solo Canoe
__Women's Tandem Canoe
__Women's Kayak
__Men's SUP
__Parent Child Canoe (Child must be under 14)
__Geezer Solo Canoe (must be at least 60)
__Men's Solo Canoe
__Men's Kayak
__Geezer Tandem Canoe (Each must be at least 60)
__Mixed Tandem Canoe
__Men's Tandem Canoe
--Slackers
On the date of the race arrive before 11 am to pick up your T-shirt and race number tag in the upstairs office @ The Turner Bend store. Duct-tape the number tag on the left front side of the boat for timer to recognize when you arrive at the finish line. Be at the Byrds landing an hour early to get ready.
Rafts will start first. We will mass start each category at one-minute intervals in the order listed. Slackers will start yourselves when you are ready.
Canoes must be plastic recreational. No bent shaft or double-bladed paddles for canoes.
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Image may be subject to copyright
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Image may be subject to copyright
Image may be subject to copyright
Image may be subject to copyright
Image may be subject to copyright
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Image may be subject to copyright
Image may be subject to copyright
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Image may be subject to copyright
Image may be subject to copyright
Image may be subject to copyright
45th JUNGLE BOATER RACE
Sunday, March 8th
12 o'clock noon
Bang The Gong! Let's get it on! Join us for the 45th annual Jungle Boater Race this year on Sunday, March 8th, 2026. Race begins at 12 pm. Race course: Byrd's Landing to Turner Bend's Landing.
We ask that all reservations and pre-registration be received by 5 pm Friday, March 6th. Entry fee is $35 per participant--includes T-shirt.
After paying for the fee online please send in the paper form attached below to release liability and specify your t-shirt size. Your bag that contains t-shirt and Race # will not be prepared for you to pick up on race day if we do not receive this release of liability in a timely manner.
Fill it out either scan, snap an image, mail, email to turnerbendstore23@gmail.com or bring it in to us and turn in at the store by Friday, March 6th.
If the river is 4.4' or higher we will reschedule for March 15th. We will mass start each category at one minute intervals in the order listed below. Slackers will start yourselves when you are ready.
Order of Start:
1. Rafts
2. Women's SUP
3. Women's Solo Canoe
4. Women's Tandem Canoe
5. Women's Kayak
6. Men's SUP
7. Parent-Child Canoe (child-under 14)
8. Geezer Solo Canoe( 60+)
9. Men's Solo Canoe
10. Men's Kayak
11. Geezer Tandem Canoe(60+)
12. Mixed Tandem Canoe
13. Men's Tandem Canoe
On the date of the race arrive by 10 am to pick up T-shirt and race number tag in the upstairs office at the Turner Bend store. If you have not emailed us the liability release form, your bag will not be ready. Duct-tape the number tag on the left side front of the boat for the timer to recognize when you arrive at the finish line. Be at the Byrd's landing at 11 am to get ready.
All pre-registration can be made online:
You can pre-register until 5 pm Friday, March 6th, 2026
We may run out T-shirt for late entries
NO REGISTRATION ON THE DATE OF THE RACE
Great turnout today! the water was 3.2' with beautiful weather for the race.
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Image may be subject to copyright
42nd 2023 Jungle Boat Race Results
After a whole week of rainy weather and high water level that have threaten to postpone the race, everyone was elated to have a clear day with a 3.7' water level for the Jungle Boat Race on Sunday. We had over 100 boats on the water and everyone who participated was in great spirit after paddling the 8-mile race from Byrd's Landing to Turner Bend. It was a fun day here for everyone. Tater, Mater & Squash Band was churning out some great music and the Mulberry River Society was serving hot corn chowder to the hungry crowd after the race. To cap off the race, Shawna Bell won the raffle ticket for the sit-on-top kayak with paddle and life-vest that was donated by Bill Spitler. Thanks everyone for being here and for your support in this fun event to kick off the floating season.
Below is the finished result of the race. If you see any errors please let the store know.
HAPPY BOATING !
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Image may be subject to copyright
Image may be subject to copyright
Image may be subject to copyright
Download the Registration and the Liability Release form, fill it out and email it to us at
turnerbendstore23@gmail.com
before March 12th, 2022
BRING YOUR BOAT, PADDLES, AND LIFE JACKETS and DUCT TAPE.
