Dominion RiverRock on Brown’s Island

Richmond has a lot of things going for it, not the least of which is its amazing urban outdoor scene. And no event celebrates this vibrant city like Dominion RiverRock, a three-day outdoor competition- and exploration-fueled festival centered around Richmond’s beloved James River.

With shopping, event demos, food trucks galore, beer, music, and more outdoor sporting events than you can shake a stick at, you’re in for a guaranteed good time!

What it’s like to go to Dominion RiverRock

A great night of Bouldering at #riverrockrva – congrats to Kai Lightner and Brooke Raboutou, the top male and female finishers! pic.twitter.com/Ht5ZOyLAiX

— Dominion Energy Riverrock (@RiverrockRVA) May 21, 2017

It’s a giant party, y’all! But it also feels like a community. This is a group of outdoorsy people, many with families, gathering to enjoy Richmond’s unique outdoor subculture with thousands of their closest friends. The atmosphere is upbeat, high-energy, and so much fun. When participants aren’t competing, they’re wandering around, enjoying a Pale Ale or two, and gawking with the rest of us. And when spectators aren’t spectating, they’re able to try their hands at many of the events they’ve watched. It’s one of Richmond’s biggest and most popular events, and for good reason.

Boyfriend Perspective: Food trucks, craft beer, spectator sports, live music, and a whole lot of fun. Ahhhh, good days.

Events to see every year at RiverRock on Brown’s Island

Male and female competitors enter heats at the same time

Check out this beast of a top out – in the rain AND with a smile!

One of the ultimate good boys in action

“Hey mom, can I see the Airdogs???”

• BOULDERING. We met at our local climbing gym (which, incidentally, has a huge presence at RiverRock), and watching the bouldering comp here was one of the first full days we spent together as friends and climbers. Obviously, we’re a little biased. But the crowds around the bouldering area are pretty telling, too. You can watch locals and out of towners qualify for the comp on Friday, and the more competitive heats start Saturday and Sunday, and run on after dark. They’re fast-paced, high-stakes, and incredible displays of athleticism that you can appreciate whether you’re a climber or not.

Boyfriend Perspective: Bouldering comps are so awesome, watching climbers work the problem, fall, try it a little different, rinse and repeat. Yeah, I am biased, so what Meagan?! 😛

• Air Dogs. Really cute dogs flying through the air after their favorite toys, splashing down, and doggy paddling around a pool. It literally doesn’t get any better than this, guys. Make sure you get to the pool a little early so you’re not stuck at the back of the crowd. If you’re lucky, you might get splashed 😉

Slackliner flipping on his hands! :O

Airborne running man? eh?

Seriously, y’all. Flips, skills, and acrobatics for days.

• Slacklining comp. Bouldering is one kind of athleticism, and this is an entirely different – but equally impressive! – kind of athleticism. If you’ve never seen people fly through the air in various poses just to land on a nylon flat line that’s about two inches wide, Google “slack lining” and then book your ticket to RiverRock.

Boyfriend Perspective: Slacklining is also fun to watch. It’s kind of like flashy half pipe skate boarding instead of street-style. Competitors aim for big air and big moves to match, with plenty of flips and spins for the audience to enjoy.

• BMX freestylers. More flying people! We’ve watching BMX competitions before, but seeing these guys in person is nothing short of amazing. Entertainment value here is super high. Just make sure to wear waterproof shoes if it’s rained in the last day or so – the area can get VERY muddy and there’s no pavement around for relief.
• Live music. A festival isn’t a festival without live music to top it off. Throughout the course of the festival, several different local and regional artists and bands will give you something to groove to while you’re perusing stalls, watching events, or standing in line for a food truck. Pro tip: stay until after dark for the bigger acts!

Events to participate in each year at Dominion RiverRock

YogaRock, photo courtesy Richmond-Times Dispatch

Throwback to mud and smiles!

• yogaROCK. If you want to compete at RiverRock but you don’t feel like an elite athlete, yogaROCK is a really fun event to choose. Register, then show up at 8am on Brown’s Island on the Saturday of RiverRock to enjoy an all-levels, outdoor yoga class led by ambassadors from Richmond’s non-profit yoga studio, Project Yoga Richmond. It’s a great way to start your RiverRock experience, whether you intend to go on to compete in other events or not.
• Filthy 5k Mud Run. Remember how bouldering was the first event Luke and I watched together, before we even got together? Well, this was the first one we participated in. I was recovering from a running injury and he LOVED trail running, so he offered to take it easy and run with me. I managed to avoid dipping TOO much of myself as we ran through the river and then traversed the mud crawl at the end, but Luke made sure I got plenty muddy by picking me up in a giant, muddy bear hug. BOYS. Check out the throwback picture!

Boyfriend Perspective: They have a multiple mud runs at different distances, even one you can run with your favorite pupper or doggo. I’ve done obstacle course races, and this race really wasn’t as muddy as I am used to… so, I got as muddy as possible at the end and made sure Meagan did, too 😀

Kayak action!

It’s amazing to watch these kayakers fly by

SUP demo on the canal

• Video/photography contest. Another competition for those of us who are less “elite athlete” and more “athletic appreciater.” Grab your gear and try to get the best shot you possibly can that fits into one of several categories. The best part? You get an all-access press pass that gets you behind the scenes and up close to the competitors. It’s a great way to see an entirely new side of the event!
• Try SUPing, kayaking, bouldering, or slacklining. If you’ve never tried some of the most popular outdoor activities on the Richmond scene, now’s the time and this is the place. Sign up ahead of time and reserve a slot to try that new activity you’ve been eying but haven’t felt sure how to tackle.
• Kayak Boatercross. If you have a bit of experience kayaking on or around rapids, give this event a try. A friend of ours tried it last year and, while he felt a little outgunned by the pros, had an amazing time.

Practical info to attend RiverRock 2018

You, too, can SUP with your pup!

• Dates: May 18-20, 2018
• Costs: free to attend, $10+ to participate in competitive events
  • Pro tip: Watching, walking around, and enjoying the day is absolutely free. Events like the mural scavenger hunt and photography contest are on the cheaper side. But if you’re planning to participate in a series of competitive events, you’ll be in the $75+ neighborhood.
• Parking: https://www.riverrockrva.com/information/parking-directions/
  • Pro tip: ARRIVE REALLY EARLY. Downtown Richmond is notorious – like any city – for its limited parking situation. If you arrive early enough to catch one of the first events, you should be guaranteed to only have to walk a block or two, rather than feeling like you have to walk a half marathon before you even get to the event 😉
• Schedule and/or event registration: https://www.riverrockrva.com/schedule/
  • Pro tip: all participation and competition events enthusiastically recommend advance registration. If there’s space left, some will let you register day-of for a higher fee, but don’t count on it.

Have you been to a festival like this? Did you love it as much as Richmond loves RiverRock? Let us know below!

And don’t be shy with the pinning button 😉