Nor'Easter 2026: More Than an Event
When we launched the Nor'Easter Whitewater Symposium, we hoped it would become a place where the whitewater community could come together to learn, paddle, share ideas, and celebrate the start of another season.
What happened in Franklin this year exceeded every expectation.
Over the course of the weekend, paddlers traveled to Franklin from New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Washington, and even Alaska. Some came to paddle. Some came to learn. Some came to reconnect with old friends. Some came hoping to win a share of the $8,500+ in gear that was given away throughout the weekend. By the time the event wrapped up, everyone left as part of the same community.
That is what made the Nor'Easter special.
The whitewater community has always been bigger than a sport. It is a collection of people who share knowledge freely, celebrate each other's successes, support one another when things get difficult, and spend countless hours helping others discover rivers safely. Throughout the weekend, that spirit was on full display.
The energy in Franklin was impossible to ignore.
The whitewater park was alive with paddlers surfing the new features, running laps, testing boats, demoing gear, learning new skills, and cheering one another on. Conversations started in the eddies and carried into the evening. Beginners paddled alongside experts. First-time visitors shared the river with world champions. Everyone was welcomed.
And if we're being honest, the University of Vermont Kayak Club brought enough energy for everyone. Their enthusiasm was contagious and helped set the tone for the entire weekend.
We were honored to welcome world champions Emily Jackson and Nick Troutman back to Franklin. Their willingness to share knowledge, coach paddlers, answer questions, and simply spend time with the community is a reminder of what makes paddlesports so unique. The biggest names in our sport continue to be some of the most approachable and generous people you'll ever meet.
Their presence also carried special meaning.
The roots of the Nor'Easter can be traced back to the Jackson Kayak Fun Tours. Nick and Emily hosted one of the very first Fun Tour stops in Franklin shortly after the City of Franklin and Mill City Park completed the community's first whitewater feature. Years later, they returned once again—this time helping celebrate the opening of Franklin's newest whitewater feature and the continued growth of the paddling community in New England.
The symposium was also an opportunity to bring together the organizations that help make paddling possible.
Our friends at Jackson Kayak, NRS, Werner Paddles, Astral, and American Whitewater spent the weekend answering questions, sharing knowledge, fitting gear, and helping paddlers better understand the equipment and organizations that support our sport. The opportunity to connect directly with the people behind these brands is one of the things that makes the Nor'Easter unique.
A special thank you goes to Danny from NRS. From the earliest planning conversations through the final day of the event, Danny's enthusiasm, encouragement, and willingness to jump in wherever needed helped make the symposium possible.
The same can be said for Rob Yager and the entire Jackson Kayak team. Their continued support of Franklin, belief in what we're building here, and commitment to growing paddlesports has had a lasting impact on this community.
Behind the scenes, Sarah from Outdoor New England was everywhere. Coordinating logistics, helping participants, solving problems, organizing details, and keeping things moving. Like most successful events, much of the work happened quietly in the background, but the symposium simply would not have happened without her dedication and effort.
Our local partners deserve recognition as well.
Thank you to Analog Coffee Company, Waterhorse Irish Pub, and Vulgar Brewing Company for helping keep the crowd fed, caffeinated, and happy throughout the weekend. Community events only succeed when local businesses are willing to jump in and be part of something bigger than themselves.
What stood out most wasn't a single clinic, seminar, raffle, competition, or river lap.
It was the feeling that something bigger is happening.
For years, New England paddlers have traveled across the country to attend symposiums, festivals, and paddling events. This weekend felt like proof that New England now has something of its own. The Nor'Easter is becoming a gathering place for paddlers, river advocates, manufacturers, instructors, retailers, and outdoor enthusiasts who care deeply about the future of our sport.
More importantly, it reinforced something we've believed for a long time:
Outdoor recreation builds community.
The conversations about river restoration, whitewater parks, paddling access, stewardship, youth participation, and outdoor culture all pointed toward the same conclusion. Strong communities are built when people come together around shared experiences, and rivers have a unique ability to make that happen.
As boats were loaded and people began the long drive home, one phrase kept coming up over and over again:
"We'll see you next year."
To everyone who traveled to Franklin, volunteered, taught, sponsored, paddled, laughed, learned, and shared the weekend with us—thank you.
The Nor'Easter belongs to the community.
And this year, the community showed up in a big way.
We can't wait to do it again.