The Great Trent River Raft Race

🌊 THE TRENT RIVER HAS A NEW CREW OF LEGENDS! 🌊

What a day at Union Point Park! The 2026 Great Trent River Raft Race was one for the history books—full of heart, hustle, and some seriously impressive engineering.

Huge congratulations to all our winners who conquered the river! Check out the champions who took home the gold, silver, and bronze:

🚣 Anything That Floats
1st Place: #93 Three Stars & One Stripe/MOEN (Cpt. Jaylecia Maanoa)

2nd Place: #80 Party Time (Cpt. Megan McCollum)

3rd Place: #50 2one2design (Cpt. Fran Hughes)

🛶 Paddle Category
1st Place: #83 Kavsijakavua (Cpt. Bryaham Rodriques)

2nd Place: #30-A The Castaways - FedEx (Cpt. Shane Naber)

3rd Place: #38 Fenrir Fury (Cpt. Joe Seeley) — Shoutout to the team for donating their winnings to the Craven County Sheriff’s Animal Rescue Program! 🐾

🚲 Pedal Category
1st Place: #132 Ole Yeller (Cpt. Wally Seigo)

2nd Place: #46 B/S/H/ Freedom Cruisers (Cpt. David Harr)

3rd Place: #45 Queen Anne’s Revenge (Cpt. Mike Willoughby)

✨ Just For Fun Awards
We also had to recognize the teams that made the day unforgettable:

People’s Choice: #93 Three Stars & One Stripe / MOEN

Best Costume: #38 Fenrir’s Fury (Donated winnings to Religious Community Services!)

Most Creative: #45 Queen Anne’s Revenge

Broken Paddle Award: #71 Saint Porphyrious (Cpt. Caleb) — We’ve all been there!

A massive thank you to every captain, crew member, and spectator who made this year’s race the best one yet. You guys are what make our community so great!

Which raft was your favorite this year? Drop a shoutout to your favorite team in the comments! 👇

Time to Vote For People's Choice!

VOTE NOW FOR THE PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD This award will go to the raft voted as the most entertaining, creative, friendliest by YOU, the spectators. Vote for the raft you’d like to see receive this award. Voting will open at 11:00 and close at 3:00 TODAY.

https://survey.app.do/vote-the-peoples-choice-award-2025-3486025

VOTE NOW FOR THE PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD This award will go to the raft voted as the most entertaining, creative, friendliest by YOU, the spectators. Vote for the raft you’d like to see receive this award. Voting will open at 11:00 and close at 3:00 TODAY.

Get a look at these stunning, custom-carved trophies for this year’s winners, handcrafted by The Wood Shop at 919 Broad St., New Bern! We are so grateful to them for donating their time and materials to help make this year’s Great Trent River Raft Race truly unforgettable. 🏆✨ Be sure to stop by!

Calling all Captains and Sponsors! Get ready to mix, mingle, and feast! 5:30 behind the New Bern New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce!

We are thrilled to kick off this year’s race in style. Join us for an evening of great music, cold drinks, and delicious eats by Gigis Snack Shack. The menu features three signature burger options and two delicious chicken sandwich varieties.

Music: DJ Fred Rouse (of Beach Boogie and Blues)

Beverages: Provided by The Great Trent River Raft Race

Water: Courtesy of our presenting sponsor, Zaytoun-Raines

Guest Policy: Guests are welcome! Food tickets are available for $20.00.

ONLY ONE MORE DAY! 🌊🎉 The anticipation is building! Tomorrow, the Trent River will be taken over by the most creative, hilarious, and definitely NOT seaworthy vessels you've ever seen. The Great Trent River Raft Race is here!

Whether you're racing for the finish line or just trying to stay afloat, get ready for a day of community fun, laughs, and epic splashes.

Join us on the riverbank to cheer on the rafters and enjoy the festivities.

Details:
📅 Tomorrow!
📍 Union Point Park, New Bern
⏰ Opening Ceremony 10:30 a.m

Tag your crew and get your paddles ready!

🚣‍♂️🌊🏆 A huge thank-you to our incredible sponsors!

The Great Trent River Raft Race wouldn't be possible without you.

Our supporting sponsors:
🙌 Carolina Colours Golf Club
🙌 Global Cellulose Fibers — Chris Hayter
🙌 Neuse River Association of Realtors® — Whitney Woodall
🙌 21st Century Computers — Steve Smith
🙌 Tidewater Marine — Eugene Sumrell
🙌 Duke Energy — Lauren Vargo
🙌 US Cellular
🙌 Edward Jones — Dan Roberts IV

Your generosity keeps our community together and our paddles in the water. We are so grateful for your continued support of this beloved New Bern tradition. See you on the river June 6, 2026 Union Point Park, 10:30am! 🌊

We are thrilled to announce that News Channel 12 is returning as a proud media sponsor for the Great Trent River Raft Race! 🌊🛶

A huge thank you to the News Channel 12 team for their continued support in making this event a spectacular success. We are also honored to welcome their very own Brian North as our 2026 Master of Ceremonies! 🎤 His energy and community spirit are the perfect match for this beloved tradition.

Join us as we cheer on the rafters and come together for a fantastic cause. Plus, it’s a double celebration—we’re celebrating America’s 250th! 🇺🇸⭐ New Bern is ready to mark this historic milestone, and we can't wait to see you there.