Events under 'Community Events'

Save the Date! The Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon will be on March 29, 2025.

Register here: 2025 Registration Form

Volunteer sign up here: 2025 Volunteer Sign Up Form

Any racers interested in renting a sit on top boat for the paddle portion of the race should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Rental is $30 and only for experienced river paddlers who know the risks of moving current and can self rescue if they capsize. Rental includes sit-on-top boat, paddle, PFD, helmet, wetsuit, water shoes, jacket. Renters will need to come into Zoar Outdoor (7 Main St, Charlemont MA in the "Outfitters Shop") on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning to complete a rental waiver and watch a short video. They will also need to pick-up any equipment from Zoar Outdoor (excluding the boat and paddle) on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. Hours are Friday 3/28 9am-6pm, Saturday 3/29 7AM-5PM. We will stage the boats and paddles at the kayak launch at Mohawk Park Campground (559 Tea St rt 2, Charlemont MA), and racers will need to affix their bib number to a boat at the park. We will pick up the kayaks and any rental gear at the takeout of the kayak leg below the Route 8A bridge (the bridge you cross over to enter Berkshire East, across from Dirt Church Brewing).

Full Race Itenerary:

The race starts at Berkshire East ski area. The first leg is a 4.3 mile run that starts on pavement through the town of Charlemont, then heads into a mix of woods roads and trails up around the Warfield House before descending to the Run-Bike transition at Zoar Outdoor.

The bike leg is a rolling, out-and-back, 18 mile road course that heads west on Rte 2 before turning onto Zoar Rd and proceeding up to the Hoosac Tunnel. It then returns to Rte 2 on the same route, and turns west, ending at the Bike-Paddle transition at the Mohawk Park Campground.

The paddle leg starts with a short run from the parking lot of the Mohawk Park Campground down to the river. Boaters then go left up river for a short attainment section, before rounding a buoy and heading back down stream. The course is just under two miles of class 1 paddling, with one spot that can be a class 2 where another small river joins the Deerfield. The takeout is at the Paddle-Adventure Run transition area on the right shore just past the Route 8A bridge.

The adventure run is about 1.75 miles of mixed dirt and pavement. It heads up the road to Berkshire East, then around the perimeter of the parking lot, where several small obstacles are located, then up into the base area, and out into a wooded area surrounding the tubing park. The adventure run finishes heading down to the main base lodge area where the Adventure Run – Ski transition is located.

The climb and ski leg ascends and descends the Competition ski trail in front of the main base lodge. Athletes climb or skin up and descend down through a course of gates to the finish.

May 24-25 2025. Stay tuned for details!

Saturday June 21 - SUNDAY JUNE 22, 2025

More details coming soon. Come celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride month on the Deerfield River!

Why are we doing this? With a history of prejudice, discrimination, and abuse in the outdoors, LGBTQ+ people can be hesitant to engage in new outdoor recreation activities, which contributes to the lack of diversity in the outdoors. This event specifically creates inclusive and affirming spaces for the queer community to explore outdoor recreation opportunities. Facilitating access to river-based activities can build a more inclusive and diverse outdoor movement. The purpose of the day is for LGBTQ+ people and allies to participate in whitewater boating, make friends, and create community and connections to encourage further enjoyment and stewardship of our outdoor world.

This event is for adults 18 and older only unless joining the Experienced Community Paddle and accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Join American Whitewater at The Deerfield RiverFest on August 2nd 2025 at Berkshire East. More details coming soon!