St. John • U.S. Virgin Islands

The 2026 Chaotic Kayak Race

THE RACE IS BACK!
2026 Theme: RED • WHITE • BLUE
Date Sunday, November 15, 2026
Where Oppenheimer Beach
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Race Start 11:00 AM
Registration $150 per team
Captains Meeting Saturday, November 14 at 4:00 PM
Oppenheimer Beach Shelter

Raise More. Start Earlier.

Teams can raise additional donations before race day. For every $100 donated to your team, you earn a five-second head start in each round leading up to the final.

$100 Raised
5 Seconds Early
$200 Raised
10 Seconds Early
$500 Raised
25 Seconds Early

The more your team raises, the bigger your advantage — and, more importantly, the more you help support Team River Runner's St. John Leadership Clinic.

Why We Race

Proceeds from the Chaotic Kayak Race help bring veterans to St. John for adaptive paddlesports, leadership development, connection, and healing adventures.

Supporting St. John

Funds raised through this event are also invested back into the St. John community as Team River Runner utilizes local lodging, transportation, restaurants, shops, and other businesses.

Awards & Race Spirit

This year's Chaotic Kayak Race is going RED, WHITE & BLUE. Teams and spectators are encouraged to bring the spirit, have fun with the theme, and make race day as colorful and chaotic as ever.

Race-day awards and special recognition will be part of the celebration, with plenty of opportunities to stand out both on and off the water.

Additional outfit, costume, and theme-prize details will be posted once finalized.

Free Race-Day Shuttle

Parking at Oppenheimer Beach is limited, so take advantage of our FREE shuttle from Cruz Bay to Oppenheimer Beach.

Shuttle service begins at 9:00 AM and runs until 11:00 AM.

The shuttle is free. Tips for the shuttle driver are highly recommended.

Come out in your red, white, and blue, support your favorite team, support our veterans, and get ready for one of St. John's most chaotic traditions!

Support a Team

Cheer on your favorite Chaotic Kayak Race team and help them raise money in support of Team River Runner's St. John Leadership Clinic.

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Additional Resources

Click Here For A Printable Registration Form
Click Here To Visit The Team River Runner Home Page
Click Here To Make A General Donation to TRR

Vanessa Jones

Committe Co-Chair

Vanessa A. Jones is a dynamic force dedicated to fostering
inclusivity, encouraging discussion, and promoting a culture of
belonging in the outdoor sports community. Hailing from
Washington, DC, she brings a wealth of diverse experiences and
perspectives to her endeavors.
As a US Army veteran and ordained Chaplain with a focus on
seniors and caretakers, Vanessa is deeply committed to serving
others. Her work as a patient-caretaker advocate reflects her
passion for supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring their
voices are heard.
Currently, Vanessa is employed by a resettlement agency, where
she confronts challenges head-on with resilience and
compassion. As a single, Black woman veteran, she embraces
the unique hurdles she faces, viewing them as opportunities for
growth and empowerment.
In her downtime, she wears many hats, including that of a
missionary, spreading hope and positivity wherever she goes.
Weekends are spent paddling, immersing herself in West African
dance and finding solace and joy in nature’s embrace.
Vanessa is committed to equitable principles, ensuring that
everyone’s opinions are valued and heard. Through her
unwavering dedication and inclusive leadership, Vanessa is
paving the way for a more equitable and diverse outdoor sports
landscape.