MAY 22, 2020 – OTTAWA, ON – Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) and the Rideau Canoe Club regretfully announce the cancellation of the 2020 CKC Sprint National Championships, which was scheduled to take place from August 25 to 30, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario, and included the Canadian Masters Championship (CANMAS).
Ultimately, the prioritizing of the health and well-being of our paddling community, and the necessary restrictions in place to address this global pandemic make it unadvisable and practical to stage this event in 2020.
“The Rideau Canoe Club was honoured and very proud to have the privilege of hosting the 2020 Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint Nationals during an Olympic year – particularly when so many of Canada’s elite athletes were ready for an amazing event,” said James Price, Commodore of the Rideau Canoe Club. “We are incredibly disappointed that we will not be hosting Canada’s sprint paddling community in August and do hope that we will have the opportunity to welcome you to Ottawa again very soon.”
CKC recognizes the significant disruptions and disappointment related to the ongoing event cancellations and public restrictions yet continues to support these measures and is proud to see our paddling community do its part as leaders in following all directives to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“It is certainly tough to know this will be the first summer without a CKC Sprint National Championship since 1945,” said Ian Mortimer, CKC’s Director of Development. “This event is the cornerstone of many of our sprint paddlers lives, and the event will be dearly missed in 2020. I remember being that young athlete working everyday towards the goal of a National medal, and I can certainly appreciate how difficult this news will be for everyone. We will begin the planning immediately for the return of this pinnacle event in 2021.”
CKC continues to urge the paddling community to respect the Government of Canada’s direction and regulations of all public health authorities and governments at every level.
We continue to monitor the changing landscape related to COVID-19 and the impact on the well-being of our paddling community.
CKC is also actively planning and working through all of the contingencies for modified in-person or virtual events which may be possible later in 2020 as well as the impacts of COVID-19 related cancellations on our major events in the years ahead.
CKC will be providing further information related to events in the coming weeks, and encourages you to reference our COVID-19 resource page for updates.
CKC Mental Health resource document is available here.
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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.