Over 100 elite athletes from more than 20 countries and regions are navigating roaring rapids through Asia's largest waterfall this week at the inaugural Huangguoshu Waterfall International Canoe Slalom Extreme in Guizhou Province. The three-day event, running through October 26, marks the first time competitive paddlers have raced directly through a waterfall's cascading curtain.
Nature's Obstacle Course
Competitors from France, Germany, the United States, and China's national team are tackling a 101-meter-wide natural track beneath the 77.8-meter-tall Huangguoshu Waterfall. The course combines Wildwater Canoe Slalom gates with a 500-meter long-distance race through unpredictable currents shaped by recent rainfall and jagged rock formations.
Extreme Sports Meet Heritage Conservation
Organizers highlight the event as a model for sustainable adventure tourism, using existing rapids without permanent infrastructure. 'This isn't just about athletic skill – it's about humans respectfully engaging with natural wonders,' said event coordinator Li Wei during Thursday's heats.
With live broadcasts reaching 15 million viewers globally, the competition positions Guizhou as a hub for nature-based sports while drawing attention to waterfall conservation efforts ahead of the region's peak tourism season.
