Canoe Kayak Canada and the Rideau Canoe Club Host Organizing Committee are proud to hold the 2021 Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships. “Nationals” will be one of the first national amateur sporting events to be held in Canada as we return to sport as part of Canada’s Covid Recovery.
For many in our paddling community across Canada, this will be a first opportunity to compete at a national level. For others, Nationals has long served as a celebration of our sport, and a homecoming for friends from coast to coast.
The 2021 Nationals will look and feel a bit different, but we are committed to making the 2021 Event a truly fantastic experience – one that will reflect how far we’ve come in being able to hold a Championship in 2021.
Our returning Olympians, the combination of National Team Trials, and so many new and young athletes racing at Nationals will all guarantee an incredible week.
As a competing athlete, official, coach, parent, grandparent, volunteer or spectator, all of you will make a difference in how our event goes.
The following information should help to ensure your visit to Ottawa is a successful one!
Here’s what you need to know:
SPECTATORS AND VIEWING AREAS
Yes! Spectators will be allowed at the 2021 CKC Sprint Nationals. The primary viewing area will be located on the east side of Mooney’s Bay at the finish line. The area will include a large covered spectator viewing tent for inclement weather. In addition, there will be food services onsite and washroom facilities. This will be the area closest to the action, and where medal presentations will be held for our athletes.
Please note that when in the Spectator area, spectators will be required to fill out the CKC App for tracking. Social distancing guidelines will also be in place and it is expected, masks will be required when spectators are not eating or drinking.
Informally, there will also be a spectator area at the end of the race course. It is important to note this small park area will have limited capacity.
For people familiar with previous National Championships or Regattas held at Mooney’s Bay, the Mooney’s Bay park area will be off limits to all spectators. This area will serve as a restricted access area for athletes only.
For these reasons, no personal spectator tents will be permitted at either the official spectator area or unofficial park viewing area at the end of the course.
The organizing committee will be providing a large covered area at the finish line for rain and shade. For safety and viewing purposes, there is simply not room for additional tents.
Please also note the Rideau Canoe Club will be off limits for all spectators and athletes, and will be an officials and volunteer zone only. Spectating will not be possible from the Rideau Canoe Club (west) side of the venue)
ACCOMMODATION
The Host Organizing Committee is working with HTG Sports for hotel group booking discounts:
Individuals can book hotel rooms at the following:
We would encourage group bookings for clubs, and organizations booking more than 10 rooms you can use the following link:
https://secure.htgsports.com/registration.nsf/BTSRP_EventAccess?OpenForm&eventid=A8CAB83BE076F29B852585AE004E6D57&lang=en
HTG is an event partner, and the HOC would appreciate your support in booking hotels.
PARKING AND ATHLETE TRANSPORTATION
There will be onsite paid parking at Mooney’s Bay for athletes and spectators. The HOC has secured the parking area directly beside the spectator area and entrance to the Athlete Village. This will be the location where all athletes must enter the property, and will provide all spectators with the easiest access to spectator areas.
This will be the only facility offering a single-fee full day parking pass, and in and out privileges.
For athlete “drop-off” at the venue, a “quick stop” process will be in place to ensure athletes can enter the site as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The location can be access from Hog’s Back Road, on the south side, just east of Hog’s Back Bridge and the Canal Driveway. Watch for volunteers.
With morning and afternoon cohorts, this will be a busy spot. Still, we will have large volunteer team in place to ensure our athletes and spectators can get in and out quickly and safely. This will be the only entrance into the venue.
ATHLETES VILLAGE
To ensure the safety and security of our competitors, when in competition, all athletes will stay within the secure “Athletes Village”. This is the grass area in Mooney’s Bay Park facing the race course. Please note that only athletes racing in a morning or afternoon cohort will be permitted access to the club areas of the athlete village.
Please note, to accommodate practice time for athletes not competing in National Team Trials on August 23, 24 and 25, there will be restricted access permitted to allow practicing athletes to grab their boat, and enter the water at the south end of the facility. This will be done on a club by club basis in reserved time slots and coordinated through club coaches.
FOOD AND WATER FOR ATHLETES AND SPECTATORS
While there will be some food services available in the Spectator area, please note there will no food services and limited water access in the Athletes Village.
Given Covid restrictions, shared water access via fountains and refill stations is not permitted.
While athletes will only be permitted to be in the Village area for a morning or afternoon session, it is strongly advised athletes plan ahead for both personal hydration and nutritional requirements.
There will be plenty of washroom facilities in the Athletes Village area, including both accessible and gender divided facilities.