The six-day competition will take place at Mooney’s Bay
Ottawa, ON (August 21, 2026) — Canoe Kayak Canada and the Rideau Canoe Club (RCC) are proud to host the 2026 Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships in Ottawa, taking place August 25–29, 2026. The Canadian Masters National Championships (CanMas) will follow on August 30, 2026.
The events will welcome over 1,200 athletes, along with coaches, officials, and spectators from across Canada, representing many disciplines of sprint paddling, including youth, senior, masters, paracanoe, and PaddleAll racing. The Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships and CanMas are the largest domestic events on the Canadian competitive paddling calendar and a cornerstone celebration of high-performance sport, community, and inclusion.
Athletes from 41 clubs will make their way to Mooney’s Bay, competing in over 500 races across all age categories. Over 120 athletes will represent Rideau Canoe Club, with entries in almost every race. At one kilometre in length and approximately 81 metres in width, the newly-constructed race course at RCC is a focal point of the bay.
Spectators are encouraged to come out and take in the Championships at no cost, with competition taking place every day throughout the morning and afternoon at Mooney’s Bay.
“Canoe Kayak Canada is thrilled to be back in Ottawa for the 2026 Sprint National Championships and Canadian Masters Championships,” said Kenna Robins, Director, National Program Development, Canoe Kayak Canada. “This is a highlight of the year for our Sprint Racing community, and we are grateful to the Host Organizing Committee, Rideau Canoe Club, staff, Board, and dedicated volunteers for their hard work in bringing this event to life. We look forward to welcoming athletes from across the country and celebrating their accomplishments throughout the week.”
The 2026 Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships would not be possible without the wonderful support of Ottawa Tourism, who helps showcase Ottawa as a premier destination for major sporting events, and the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Sport Hosting Program, which assists communities in hosting national and international amateur sport events.
Beyond competition, the championships aim to create unforgettable moments for athletes and spectators alike, while highlighting Ottawa’s waterways, paddling heritage, and vibrant sport community.
“Events like this don’t happen without community support and Ottawa has shown up in a big way,” said Marielle Hawkes, Chair of the Host Organizing Committee. “From our volunteers to our local partners, this championship is a reflection of what this club and this city can do together.”
More information including schedules, volunteer opportunities, and event updates can be found via the event website at sprintnationals.canoekayak.ca and social channels.
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About the Rideau Canoe Club
The Rideau Canoe Club (RCC) is one of Canada’s leading sprint canoe and kayak clubs, dedicated to promoting inclusive, community-focused paddling for athletes of all ages and abilities. Located on the Rideau River in Ottawa, the RCC is committed to growing the sport through recreation, skill development, competitive opportunities, and accessible pathways.
The Rideau Canoe Club continues to champion the belief that paddling is for everyone; from first-time participants to national and international competitors.
About Canoe Kayak Canada
Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada, one of Canada’s top performing summer sports with a total of 29 Olympic and Paralympic medals, and a leader in the Paralympic movement. Canoe Kayak Canada is a member-based organization that includes an intricate network of clubs as well as provincial, territorial and divisional paddling associations. Elite National Team athletes proudly represent Canada at various competitions around the globe – most notably the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, ICF World Cups as well as Junior, Under 23 and Senior World Championships. Follow Canoe Kayak Canada on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
For more information:
Kendra Mendrisky
Marketing & Public Relations Officer – 2026 CKC Sprint National Championships
marketing@rideaucanoeclub.ca
Emmalee Nother
Communications Manager – Canoe Kayak Canada
enother@canoekayak.ca