2200-2400 Athletes from across Canada, including 2020 Canadian Olympic Team, expected to participate in Championships at Mooney’s Bay

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (February 7, 2019) – Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) today announced the Rideau Canoe Club has been selected as the host Club for the 2020 Canadian Sprint Canoe Kayak Championships. The Canadian Championships are held annually, and attract upwards of 4000 athletes, coaches, officials, family and friends to the host city.

The announcement was made at the Rideau Canoe Club by Canoe Kayak Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, Casey Wade. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, and Ottawa Tourism President Michael Crockatt were also on hand for the announcement, as well as Rideau paddlers, Club Commodore Tom Hoferek and members of the Rideau 2020 organizing Committee.

“We are delighted to have the Canadian Sprint Championships in the nation’s Capital for 2020” said Canoe Kayak Canada’s CEO, Casey Wade. “With 2020 being an Olympic year, we have high expectations the Championships will be a triumphant homecoming for our Canoe Kayak Olympians”.

CKC consists of over 60 local Canoe Kayak clubs across Canada, and athletes competing at the national championships race for their home clubs over 5 days of competition. It’s an exciting format that sees paddlers racing both for national standing, while earning points based on their results that go towards an overall club title. Age categories range from U16 to Masters in Sprint Canoe, Sprint Kayak and Para disciplines.

The Canadian Championship “Burgee” Pennant is one of Canada’s oldest sporting awards and has been presented annually since 1904 to Canada’s top Canoe Kayak club.   

“We are proud that Ottawa has been selected to host the 2020 Sprint Canoe Kayak Championships” said Mayor Jim Watson. “With over a century of racing on the Rideau Canal, Ottawa’s sporting legacy is closely connected to the Rideau Canoe Club. We expect this Championship will be another great moment in the storied history of the Club”.

Ottawa Tourism has signed on as the first Corporate sponsor for the 2020 Championships. “Having the CKC Sprint Championships in Ottawa is another great win for Ottawa’s Sports Championship economic development strategy” said Ottawa Tourism President Michael Crockatt. “It is estimated the event will generate upwards of $1.5-2m in revenue for restaurants, hotels and local businesses over the week-long event”.

“With a history that dates back to 1902, the Rideau Canoe Club is truly one of Ottawa’s gems” said Club Commodore Tom Hoferek “To host the Canadian Championships, in an Olympic Year, to celebrate our sport, our Olympians, and the great athletes that make this Club so special, is a tremendous honour. We welcome all Ottawans to join us at Mooney’s Bay next summer to celebrate the most Canadian of sports”.

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 24 Olympic 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.

About the Rideau Canoe Club

Founded in 1902, the Rideau Canoe Club is one of the oldest continually operating Canoe Clubs in the world.  Over the past 117 years, 9 athletes from the Rideau Canoe Club have represented Canada at the Olympic Games.   The Rideau Canoe has won the National Championship “Burgee” 7 times over its’ history, most recently at the 2018 National Championships in 2018 in Sherbrooke, QC. 

Over 2500 area paddlers, from Sprint Canoe and Kayak disciplines, Dragon Boat, Canoe Kids Summer camp programs and Paddle All participants, make use of the Rideau Canoe Club facilities annually.

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For more information :

Joannie Verret
Communications Coordinator, CKC
jverret@canoekayak.ca
418.271.3785

Scott Bradley
Chair, Rideau 2020 Nationals
scottbradleyottawa@gmail.com
343.549.5333