Fun on the Uncompahgre

 

Fun on the Uncompahgre Aug. 7 & 8

Water Sports Competitions

Make a splash at FUNC Fest—register for the thrilling water competitions, or dive in day-of and join the fun on the fly!  Please use this LINK to register for our water sports competitions.  All competitions and descriptions are listed below!  💦🚤

The fee to participate in a single competition is $20.00; however, you can register for as many competitions as you would like for a fee of $25.00.

• Riverbottom Downriver Race
  Go fast and take chances.  This time-trial downriver race begins at Chipeta Park and ends at Riverbottom Park. Racers will be released at 1-minute intervals and paddle roughly 2.25 miles to the finish line. More information about this event will be released soon. 
• Youth Flow Fury Boogie Board Championships
  Ride the river’s rhythm and conquer the currents in our adrenaline-fueled boogie-boarding showdown! Compete against the flow and fellow thrill-seekers in the ultimate river wave bodyboarding challenge.  Held at the Montrose Water Sports Park in Riverbottom Park.  More information about this event will be released soon.
• FUNCy Down River Kayak Rodeo
  Did someone say RODEO? Also known as playboating or rodeo kayaking, this form of kayaking competition is super entertaining for spectators. Competitors stay in one feature and perform a variety of acrobatic moves and tricks. A panel of judges will score the contestants and determine the winners. Held at the Montrose Water Sports Park in Riverbottom Park.   More information about this event will be released soon.
• Mighty UNC Kayak & SUP Cross-Comp
  Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayak cross races combine sport with the adrenaline rush of navigating challenging river rapids and obstacles head-on. Athletes race downriver around buoys in heats, aiming to cross the finish line ahead of their opponents. Whitewater kayak and SUP cross events blend the excitement of river rapids with skill, technique, courage, and luck. Held at the Montrose Water Sports Park in Riverbottom Park.   More information about this event will be released soon.
• Western Slope River Surf Comp
  River surfing (on stationary river waves) in Colorado is rapidly gaining popularity. FUNC Fest will host a light-hearted river surfing competition to showcase Colorado’s top-rated river waves in Montrose. Held at the Montrose Water Sports Park in Riverbottom Park.   More information about this event will be released soon.

FUNC Fest – August 7 & 8, 2026

Calling all water sports enthusiasts and fun-loving folks to come out and enjoy the annual Fun on the Uncompahgre, aka “FUNC Fest” for two fun-filled days of activities, both on and off the water. 

The City of Montrose is partnering with the Montrose Summer Music Series this year to bring the Montrose community together for a free concert on Friday, August 7, at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater.  We are extremely excited to partner with them once again and provide more fun for Montrose.

The second day, Saturday, August 8, will occur at Riverbottom Park, starting bright and early to bring you all kinds of fun on the water.  The City will be bringing vendors, water sports, kids activities, food trucks, live music, and much more!  This year, we are excited to bring more community partners together to help create a FUNC Fest experience that celebrates the Uncompahgre River, water recreation, and the shared connections that make Montrose unique.

Theme Name: United Uncompahgre

Slogan: Community in the Name FUNC

Mission Statement:

FUNC Fest celebrates the Uncompahgre River and Montrose Water Sports Park by using water recreation as a pathway to community connection, outdoor fun, and shared celebration.  As Montrose’s premier annual event, FUNC Fest creates inclusive, meaningful experiences for athletes, families, and visitors while highlighting the community and natural beauty that make Montrose Unique.

More information regarding these events will follow. If you have any questions, please contact Thomas Ceniceros via email or by phone (970-252-4881).

FUNC-y River Parade Registration

The registration for our FUNC-y River Parade is now closed.

No worries if you missed your chance to register; you can still join the fun!  Stop by the Best Slope Adventure booth on Saturday, August 8th to sign up and be a part of the 2:00 p.m. Funky Float on one of their tubes!

This is a great way to get involved with the river activities no matter your skill level.

Call for Vendors

One of the biggest attractions for Saturday, August 8th, is our vendor area. Here, businesses are able to promote themselves and give the public a good idea of what they offer.  Please take a look at all participating businesses below.

• Partners of Delta, Montrose, and Ouray
• Culligan Water
• FORU
• Southwest Rescue
• Beyond Trafficking
• Montrose Classical Academy
• Ute Indian Museum
• Shavano Conservation District
• Stoner Canyon Rafts
• Haven House
• Ay Chabela LLC
• Renewal by Andersen
• SuperFast Kitchen and Bath
• Range Activewear
• Defending Families Coalition
• American Red Cross – Western Colorado
• Sean Rad’s Shredd School
• Best Slope Adventure
• MUT Chapter of COPMOBA
• Elite Dog Walking Montrose Surf and Cycle

FUNC-y Line-Up!

FUNC Fest features a full schedule of water sports competitions, live music, activities for the whole Family, Local Vendors, a food truck village, and a beer garden.

FUNC Fest also features a full schedule of water sports competitions, live music, and activities!

Friday, August 7th – Montrose Summer Music Series will be holding a performance at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater

• 1:00 p.m.
  • Southwest Rescue will be providing water safety activities designed to help participants build confidence and stay safe around rivers and moving water  at Riverbottom Park

• 6:00 p.m.
  • Montrose Summer Music Series first performance – Gotta Be
• 7:30 p.m.
  • Montrose Summer Music Series first performance – The Band of Heathens

Saturday, August 8th – All activities on this day will occur at Riverbottom Park

• 8:30 a.m.
  • Registration opens for all competitions
  • FUNCY 5K begins at Sunset Mesa
• 9:00 a.m.
  • Vendors open
  • Yoga and activities presented by Young Heart Yogis
• 10:30 a.m.
  • Riverbottom Downriver Race
• 11:00 a.m. 
  • Kids activities open
  • Talent performances begin
• 12:00 p.m. 
  • Food village and beer garden open
  • FUNC-Y Down River Kayak Rodeo
  • Youth Flow Fury Boogie Board Championships
  • African Drum performance by Etienne Tolno
• 1:30 p.m.
  • Mighty UNC Kayak & SUP Cross-Comp
• 2:00 p.m.
  • FUNC-Y Parade
• 2:30 p.m.
  • Western Slope River Surf Competition
• 3:00 p.m.
  • Ute Dance Group Powwow Performance
• 4:30 p.m.
  • Western Slope River Surf Competition Finals
• 5:30 p.m.
  • Award Ceremony
• 6:00 p.m.
  • Opening act begins- The Violet Pines
• 7:00 p.m.
  • Intermission
• 7:30 p.m.
  • Headlining act begins – Heavy Diamond Ring

Thank you to everyone who is helping to bring activities to our events: Montrose Children’s Museum, Twisted Critters N More, Painting Faces and Creating Smiles, Paint Girl Colorado, Montrose Rec District, and Young Heart Yogis.

Rental Equipment Information

The City of Montrose is working with Montrose Surf and Cycle to bring everyone a chance to participate in FUNC Fest this year.  Montrose Surf and Cycle is the best place for any rental equipment that you might need for the water this summer!  From boards to tubes, be sure to check them out to make sure you have what it takes to win your competition!  If you are planning on being in the FUNC-y Parade, they have all kinds of materials you can use to help keep your float standing until the finish line.

Montrose Surf and Cycle will have deals on rentals all summer, so be sure to keep an eye out on their website HERE. 

Best Slope Adventure

Tubing is back at FUNC Fest!  The City of Montrose is happy to announce our partnership with Best Slope Adventure, who will be providing tubes for people attending FUNC Fest to use on the river.  Those who want to do this can go to their vendor booth located right on the sidewalk to grab a life jacket and sign a waiver.  You will need to complete both of these steps to go on the water.  

There is NO fee associated with using the tubes!  All skill levels are welcome to participate, so please stop by to enjoy all of the activities provided at FUNC Fest.

Ute Dance Group Powwow

The City of Montrose is excited to share even more culture with all of our attendees by bringing a Powwow to FUNC Fest performed by the Ute Dance Group.  You will be able to see the heritage that has been passed down through generations in this performance to understand more about the Ute traditions.

They will perform at Riverbottom Park at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 8th.

FUNCY 5K

MADA and MRD are working together to bring Montrose a fun and funky 5k to kick off the second day of FUNC Fest on Saturday, August 8th!

Registration for this race can be found HERE, and everyone interested is encouraged to take a look at the map!  Participation in the race is free, but you do still need to register!  The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continues until the race finishes at the pavilion at Riverbottom Park.  More information and prizes will be released soon

If you have any inquiries about this run, please reach out to Bethany Maher HERE.

Southwest Rescue

Southwest Rescue will be providing fun, hands-on water safety activities designed to help participants build confidence and stay safe around rivers and moving water on Friday, August 7th, at Riverbottom Park at 1:00 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to practice basic swimming and self-rescue skills while learning about river awareness, common hazards, and techniques for safely enjoying time on the water.

Attendees can also try their hand at throw bagging through interactive demonstrations and guided practice. Participants will learn how to throw and receive a rescue rope, communicate effectively during a water emergency, and gain practical skills that can help keep themselves, their friends, and their families safer during river recreation.
If you are interested in learning more about Southwest Rescue, you can take a look at their website here.

Call for Volunteers

The City of Montrose is excited to hold our 11th Annual FUNC Fest event!.  Like all community events, we will need help from volunteers to ensure things run smoothly.  We are grateful for any help we can receive, and we will have nice Montrose Swag to give you, along with a food voucher/drink token to use later in the day at our food truck village and beer garden as a thank you for volunteering.

If you are interested in helping out, please feel free to contact us here or at 970.252.4881.

2025 Results:

Western Slope Surf Competition:

Women:

First Place: Gentian Nnuzzo
Second Place: Kristiana Catchpull
Third Place: Jordan Curet

Men:

First Place: Sean Redd
Second Place: Doug Goodwin
Third Place: Greg Cairns
Fourth Place: Mike Madden

SUP:

First Place: Jason Vurnell

Riverbottom Downriver Race:

Women’s SUP:

First Place: Kristiana Catchpull (00:18:30.64)
Second Place: Desha Lucas (00:19:44.68)

Men’s SUP:

First Place: Jason Vurnell (00:18:17.08)
Second Place: Deven Murray (00:18:39.59)

Men’s Kayak:

First Place: Andrew Pairs (00:16:01.58)
Second Place: Karl Wizelund (00:17:08.25)
Third Place: Jack White (00:18:13.00)

Inflatable Kayak:

First Place: Dark Yarwell (00:17:17.82)
Second Place: Kelly Bynum (00:17:27.48)
Third Place: Julie Yarwell (00:18:30:28)
Fourth Place: Chad Jukes (00:19:16.10)

Might UNC Kayak & SUP Cross

Women’s SUP

First Place: Kristiana Catchpull

Men’s SUP

First Place: Jason Vurnell

Kayak:

First Place: Marcus Mortell
Second Place: Wiley Corra
Third Place: Andy Paris

FUNCy Down River Kayak Rodeo

Men

First Place: John Malloy

Junior

First Place: Marcus Mortell

Youth flow Fury Boogie Board Championships

Girls:

First Place: Lola Cocker

Boys:

First Place: Ezra Cocker
Second Place: Eli Cocker
Third Place: Clay Redd