It is with deep sadness that Canoe Kayak Canada recognizes the passing of Bill Trayling, a long-time member and head coach at the Mississauga Canoe Club.

Bill passed away on November 21 after a courageous battle with the devastating disease, ALS.

The former Sprint National Team athlete and six-time world Dragonboat champion was a passionate paddler who gave so much back to the sport. Since 2012, Bill played a significant role in support of both coach and athlete development on numerous CKC projects. He contributed his expertise as a certified Master Coach Developer, Educator and Evaluator of Canoe Kayak Canada coaching courses for well over a decade. CKC most recently awarded Bill with the prestigious Gilbert Award, which recognizes volunteers who have made significant and exemplary contributions to the Sprint Racing Discipline of Canoe Kayak Canada.

Bill also valued the importance of athlete development, focusing a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise, through his own personal coaching passion to support athletes and coaches in leading a healthier, balanced and rewarding life. His commitment to the sport and passion for championing others’ success was unmatched.

Canoe Kayak Canada staff and board wishes to express our deepest sympathies to Bill’s family, his wife Julia, their three children, and all those affected by this devasting loss.

Details about a service or donations will be published soon and updated here.

OTTAWA – Canoe Kayak Canada is delighted to announce the 2023 recipients of the Club Development Award and Coach Developer Award. The awards are presented on an annual basis to coaches and club leaders who have made significant achievements in their communities. This year, 14 coaches were nominated and the winners of this year’s awards were announced during the 2023 CKC Annual Meeting of Members on November 18, 2023.

“Coaches and club leaders across Canada are an instrumental part of the success of our sport and make an impact in the lives of our athletes and our sport system each and every day,” said James Cartwright, Senior Manager of High Performance and Coach Development. “We’re proud to recognize all of this year’s nominees. Taking time to formally recognize the accomplishments of our great coaches goes a long way to say thank you and to recognize the impact these individuals have in within paddling community.”

CKC Club Development Award

The Club Development Award is presented annually to a coach, club leader or volunteer who has clearly demonstrated his or her abilities at developing a club or the sport through grassroots programs such as creating a new club or program or promoting the sport through the club.

Marie Rousseau-Demers – CKC Club Development Award

Marie is very committed to the overall development of CCKLB athletes at all levels. She is viewed as a dynamic and committed coach that takes great care to develop life skills such as confidence, self-discipline and respect for others. She encourages the older athletes to get involved with the younger ones, for example, by mixing groups and inviting them to encourage each other. Marie has worked with a nutritionist to publish a collection of healthy recipes for athletes. Her positive leadership is contagious. In addition, Marie has re-built the at CCKLB masters program, to our knowledge, this category had not existed for several years at CCKLB. Initially, about five masters athletes were enrolled. Thanks to her kindness, charisma, human approach and, above all, her sense of humour, this category has now grown to 15 paddlers.

Marie organized a training camp in Temple-sur-Lot, France, in the spring of 2023. The camp had not been held for several years. For this camp, Marie once again demonstrated her fairness and passion for the sport. To encourage everyone to participate, even those with more limited financial means and even other clubs in the region, she encouraged the youngsters to get involved in fund-raising activities. For 14 days, they benefited from an exceptional training environment on her part. We saw many benefits from this camp, including team-building, an unforgettable club dynamic for the youngsters, and the achievement of the goals of surpassing oneself and training hard. Of the youngsters Marie coached, some 30 went on to compete in the Canadian Championships in summer 2023. The Club came 4th overall (out of 42 clubs), participated in 51 finals and won a total of 32 medals.

CKC Coach Developer Award

The Coach Developer Award is presented to a coach who contributes to the training of new Canoe Kayak coaches outside of, or in addition to their regular coaching duties.

Igor Nikitovic – CKC Coach Developer Award

Igor has done so many things for Wascana Racing Canoe Club in the short time that he has coached at this club. He has guided many athletes to exceed in provincial national and international success. he has helped tremendously with growing the club and making it a safe and welcoming yet competitive environment for everyone who joins. In the past couple of years he has mentored a lot of our young summer camp coaches and while connecting with all the summer camp paddlers. Igor makes the club a great place to be around and is inspiring both new and old paddlers every day!

In the past two years Igor has sent two athletes to Olympic Hopes. At this year’s National Championships with only 8 athletes, we brought home 13 medals. In addition, Igor works with remote clubs, for example flat water north out of the Yukon so that they can have racing experience in our divisional regattas. He also works with international clubs such as Oklahoma Canoe Club and clubs in Seattle, to develop partnerships for future training and racing opportunities.

He has 29 years of coaching and had been in Richmond Hill for 10 years and Nanaimo for 6 years prior to coming to Wascana.

2023 Canoe Kayak Canada Excellence Nominees:

Brent Beck                              Georgian Bay Kayak Club
Lawrence Chin                     False Creek Racing Canoe Club
Wayne Donison                  Kawartha Whitewater Paddlers
Douglas Ellery                     Maskwa Aquatic Club
Dominic Gomez                  Lachine Racing Canoe Club
Sarah Kennedy                    Petrie Island Canoe Club
Phil Laliberté                         Otterburn Boating Club
Jacob McKenna                   Maskwa Aquatic Club
Igor Nikitovic                        Wascana Racing Canoe Club
Josh Nowen                           Cheema Aquatic Club
Mike Robinson                    Calgary Canoe Club
Marie Rousseau-Demers  Club de canoe kayak de Lac-Beauport
Savannah Sullivan             Maskwa Aquatic Club
Diane Tam                              False Creek Racing Canoe Club

CKC congratulates all who were nominated and to the 2023 recipients. For more information on the CKC Excellence Awards please click here.

Canada’s top Sprint paddlers are ready to race to the podium in Concepcion, Chile for the 2023 Pan American Games! From Wednesday November 1 until Saturday, November 4, this event will showcase the top Sprint athletes on their journey to Paddle to Paris. Please find below important information including schedules and how to watch live.

Quick Links:

Official Santiago 2023 Website
Day to Day Schedules
RESULTS

Team Canada Pan Am Games Hub

Live Coverage of the Sprint events :
Pan Am Sports Channel
CBC Coverage

TEAM CANADA PAN AMERICAN SPRINT TEAM

Women’s Canoe
Sophia Jensen (Chelsea, Que.)
Sloan MacKenzie (Windsor Junction, N.S.)
Katie Vincent (Mississauga, Ont.)

Women’s Kayak
Toshka Besharah (Ottawa, Ont.)
Natalie Davison (Manotick, Ont.)
Riley Melanson (Dartmouth, N.S.)
Michelle Russell (Fall River, N.S.)
Maddy Schmidt (Ottawa, Ont.)
Courtney Stott (Pickering, Ont.)

Men’s Canoe
Connor Fitzpatrick (Dartmouth, N.S.)
Alix Plomteux (Lac-Beauport, Que.)
Craig Spence (Dartmouth, N.S.)

Men’s Kayak
Ian Gaudet (Dartmouth, N.S.)
Laurent Lavigne (Trois-Rivières, Que.)
Cameron Low (Toronto, Ont.)
Nick Matveev (North York, Ont.)
Simon McTavish (Oakville Ont.)
Pierre-Luc Poulin (Lac-Beauport, Que.)

RACE SCHEDULE (subject to change):

Day to Day Schedules
Wednesday & Thursday – Heats and semifinals

Friday & Saturday – Finals and medals

Canada’s top slalom paddlers captured five medals at the Pan American Games in Los Andes, Chile yesterday.

Lois Betteridge (Ottawa, ON) secured Canada’s first slalom medal of the day in the women’s C1 event.  Betteridge made quick work of a very challenging course and weather conditions in Río Aconcagua to secure the silver behind Brazil with a time of 119.69.

“I’m super stoked. This is my second Pan Am medal, as I also won a silver at the Pan Am Games in Lima,” shared Betteridge.  “It would have been nice to finish in first but being second behind one of the best in the world is pretty exciting. It was a challenging course, there were not a lot of white-water features so you need to pull really hard to get some of the moves but I dug deep today and got the job done.”

Mael Rivard (Ottawa, ON) was next up on the podium in the men’s K1 event, securing the bronze medal behind USA and Brazil. “It was a really hard race, the course was pretty hard and very shallow but I really just went for it and it worked out.”

Léa Baldoni (Pau, France) also won bronze in the women’s K1 event with USA and Brazil taking gold and silver respectively. “There was a lot of fighting right until the end with some touch penalties but I still had the third fastest time of the day so I’m pretty happy to bring home a medal for Canada.”

The highly anticipated Kayak Cross events marked an exciting end to the Slalom competition with four boats simultaneously launching off a ramp, placed more than two metres above the water, splashing onto the course, and battling through the course as a full-contact sport.

Alex Baldoni (Pau, France) breezed through the semi-finals to fight in the finals against Brazil. Baldoni crossed the line in 2^nd place, feeling redeemed from his disappointment of just missing the podium in the K1 event earlier that day.

“It was really hard after my K1 race to get back into focus for this race but my sister (Léa Baldoni) helped me a lot and she was there for me and that’s what makes the difference in the end,” he said.
“It wasn’t my best start off the ramp but it was really tight with Brazil and it was a very good fight so I’m really happy with this silver medal.”

Betteridge added another silver to her medal count in the women’s kayak cross event. She crossed the line in 4^th, however, once the penalties were applied against her competitors, the outcome was a 5^th medal for Canada. “To be able to stand on the podium twice today is pretty exciting. I met my goals here in Los Andes, which was to medal in both my categories. It feels unreal.”

Tokyo Olympian Florence Maheu (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.) was unfortunately knocked out in the Kayak Cross time trials on Friday.

RESULTS

TEAM CANADA PAN AMERICAN SLALOM TEAM

Alex Baldoni (Pau, France) – C1 and Kayak Cross
Léa Baldoni (Pau, France) – K1 and Kayak Cross
Lois Betteridge (Ottawa, Ont.) – C1 and Kayak Cross
Florence Maheu (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.) – Kayak Cross
Maël Rivard (Ottawa, Ont.) – K1 and Kayak Cross

Canada’s top Slalom paddlers are ready to ride the waves in Río Aconcagua, Los Andes, Chile for the 2023 Pan American Games! Starting Friday October 27 until Sunday, October, 29, this event will showcase the top Slalom athletes who are currently on their journey to Paddle to Paris. Please find below important information including schedules and how to watch live.

Quick Links:

Official Santiago 2023 Website
Day to Day Schedules
RESULTS

Team Canada Pan Am Games Hub

Live Coverage of the Slalom events :
Pan Am Sports Channel
CBC Coverage

TEAM CANADA PAN AMERICAN SLALOM TEAM

Alex Baldoni (Pau, France) – C1 and Kayak Cross
Léa Baldoni (Pau, France) – K1 and Kayak Cross
Lois Betteridge (Ottawa, Ont.) – C1 and Kayak Cross
Florence Maheu (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.) – Kayak Cross
Maël Rivard (Ottawa, Ont.) – K1 and Kayak Cross

RACE SCHEDULE (subject to change):

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27

SATURDAY OCTOBER 28

Event                                                                                                                 Athlete

SUNDAY OCTOBER 29

Event                                                                          Athlete

It is with profound sadness that Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) mourns the loss of Mike Scott.

Mike was an iconic part of the Ottawa sports community with a strong connection and focus on padding for over 70 years. He served as a pillar in the community through being an athlete, coach, commodore, sport administrator, manager, writer and much more.

Rideau Canoe Club was where it all started in 1949. Mike raced for 11 years and as a Masters paddler he won 30 canoe titles in five different age classes. Not just giving his time as an athlete, Mike also took on roles within Rideau and was part of the board of directors for 33 years while acting as their longest serving Commodore – an incredible 25 consecutive years. Building on an extraordinary tenure at Rideau, he also served as chair of the host organizing committee for the Canadian Sprint National Championships eight times. He eventually met his late wife Lola at Rideau Canoe Club in the 1950s and were together for 60 years.

Being a place where Mike spent so much of his time and energy, while holding such a passion for the sport and the community, Rideau Canoe Club honoured Mike with a room in the club named after him – “the Mike Scott Lounge”, where he celebrated his 60th anniversary of volunteerism within the club. With such a strong connection to Rideau and all he had achieved there, Mike penned a book titled “The Rideau Canoe Club, A Century of Paddling 1902-2002”, and with his textbook sense of humour, he jokingly said “it would be his first and his last”.

Mike actively gave so much back to his community, more than just his time but also through fundraising to better the community and the infrastructure within it. He was a builder in so many ways which led to him receiving the R. Edgar Gilbert award in 1984 in the builder category, celebrating his significant and exemplary contributions to the sport of canoe and kayak.

Mike will be remembered for his generosity, compassion, friendship, humour, and contributions to the Ottawa sport community for many, many years to come.

The paddling community has truly lost an integral part of their family. The CKC staff and board of directors express and extend our deepest sympathies to Mike’s family, friends and the paddling community.

For visitation and funeral information please click here.

*with excepts taken from Ottawa Sports Pages: High Achievers by Martin Cleary

Canoe Kayak Canada announces the departure of Marc Creamer, CKC’s High Performance Para Coach. Marc shared his leadership and passion for Paracanoe and the sport as a whole for the last 7 years.

“Marc has provided strong leadership in our Paracanoe program over his seven-year tenure. Under his leadership, our Paracanoe athletes have risen to consistent world-level performance, and through positive collaboration with our partners across Canada, have seen our number of Para athletes grow,” said Ian Mortimer, CKC Chief Technical Officer, “We will certainly miss Marc as part of our leadership team, but wish him well in his new role with the Canadian Paralympic Committee”.

Marc has been an integral part of the Para paddling program within Canoe Kayak Canada, growing the National Paracanoe program and preparing the team for success through countless international competitions, including the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. He was also the Team Leader for the 2016 Paralympic Team in Rio, where he supported Canada’s first Paracanoe Team in the sport’s debut.

Marc consistently went above and beyond in his role, bringing exceptional technical and leadership skills to the team. He has played a critical role in the growth and expansion of Paracanoe in Canada. His passion and excitement for the sport will be missed here at Canoe Kayak Canada, but we look forward to seeing what the future holds as he makes his transition into his new role at the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

In the upcoming months, CKC will be shaping a plan to ensure both the Paris pathway athletes have complete support, as well as planning for the next two quadrennials ahead.

Thank you to Marc for your contribution to our sport and congratulations on your new role!

TORONTO (September 28, 2023) – Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) have announced Canada’s canoe/kayak sprint team nominated to compete at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

The Team Canada canoe/kayak sprint team for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games is:

Athletes:

Women’s Canoe
Sophia Jensen – Cascades
Sloan MacKenzie – Cheema Aquatic Club
Katie Vincent – Mississauga Canoe Club

Women’s Kayak
Toshka Besharah – Rideau Canoe Club
Natalie Davison – Rideau Canoe Club
Riley Melanson – Senobe Aquatic Club
Michelle Russell – Abenaki Aquatic Club
Maddy Schmidt – Rideau Canoe Club
Courtney Stott – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Men’s Canoe
Connor Fitzpatrick – Senobe Aquatic Club
Alix Plomteux – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac Beauport
Craig Spence – Cheema Aquatic Club

Men’s Kayak
Ian Gaudet – Banook Canoe Club
Laurent Lavigne – Club de canoë-kayak de vitesse de Trois-Rivières
Cameron Low – Balmy Beach Canoe Club
Nick Matveev – Balmy Beach Canoe Club
Simon McTavish – Mississauga Canoe Club
Pierre-Luc Poulin – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac Beauport

The 18 athletes qualified for Team Canada based on their performances at the 2023 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships and the CKC Pan Am trials held in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia earlier this month.

Following a very successful world championship in late August, nine-time world champion Katie Vincent is looking forward to a new experience.

“This is my first Pan Am Games team! I’m really excited to have this opportunity, to be part of the atmosphere around Team Canada, and compete against some of the best in our sport,” said Vincent. “This is also an important stepping stone for our team on our road to Paris 2024, and to have this experience in a multi-sport environment will be invaluable next summer at the Olympics.”

Vincent is no stranger to success on the international stage, winning bronze at her first Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020 with partner Laurence Vincent Lapointe. She most recently won three gold medals and a bronze at the 2023 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Duisburg, Germany. The bronze came in the women’s C-2 500m with partner Sloan MacKenzie, securing an Olympic spot for Canada in that event for Paris 2024.

“I can’t wait to share this experience with my teammates and other Team Canada athletes. Multi-sport Games have a unique ability to unite athletes from all sports around the world, so I’m really grateful to be part of this team,” Vincent added.

The Pan Am Games canoe/kayak sprint team includes two athletes who stood on the podium on home soil at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games. Kayaker Michelle Russell contributed to Canada’s first medal of those Games –gold in the women’s K-4 500m – and captured silver in both the K-1 200m and K-1 500m events. Russell made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, finishing 11th in the K-4 500m.

Olympian Pierre-Luc Poulin is looking forward to representing Canada at his second Pan American Games following his bronze medal performance in the K-2 200m event at Toronto 2015.

“Toronto 2015 was my first major Games experience so I’m excited to get back to this kind of environment and build upon our season as a lot of great things have been happening,” said Poulin.  “I am hoping for some good racing and performances in Santiago and will look to pull from my experience in Tokyo to hopefully build on more great results this year.”

The team packs a significant amount of experience heading to Santiago, collecting seven medals as well as 12 Olympic quota spots across five events at the 2023 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships last month in Duisburg, Germany.

“We are heading to Santiago with a strong team looking to cap off a successful 2023 season with top performances against a formidable Americas field”, said Ian Mortimer, CKC Chief Technical Officer. “Climbing onto the podium at the Pan American Games will be a big accomplishment in itself, while coupling that goal with the opportunity to use these events as a jumping off point into the 2024 Olympic season, we will be dialed in and ready for a strong competition in Chile.”

Canoe/kayak sprint will take place November 1-4 (Days 12 to 15) at the Laguna Grande de San Pedro de la Paz in Concepción.

“Welcome to Team Canada’s Santiago 2023 canoe/kayak sprint team! I can’t wait to witness your fearless adventures at the Pan Am Games,” said Christine Girard, Team Canada’s Santiago 2023 Chef de Mission. “May every stroke propel you closer to your dreams and may the river of success flow your way!”

Team Canada’s canoe/kayak sprint support team for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games are:

Coaches
Chad Brooks (Lake Echo, N.S.) – Coach
Andreas Dittmer (Dartmouth, N.S.) – Coach
Anders Gustafsson (Jönköping, Sweden) – Coach
Samuel Raiche (Lachine, Quebec) – Coach

Support Staff
Emily MacKeigan (Ottawa, Ont.) – Team Manager
Ian Mortimer (Ottawa, Ont.) – Team Leader
Katie Smith (Mississauga, Ont.) – Physiotherapist

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.

The latest Team Canada Santiago 2023 roster can be found here.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Colleen Coderre, Communications Lead
Canoe Kayak Canada
C: 613-530-6217
E: ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother, Communications Coordinator
Canoe Kayak Canada
C;905-912-1322
E: enother@canoekayak.ca

Tara MacBournie, Team Canada Santiago 2023 Sport Communications Lead
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-522-8328
E: tmacbournie@olympic.ca

 Canoe Kayak Canada has officially launched the nomination process for the 2023 Excellence Awards.  

  The Club Development Award, the Coach Developer Award and Coach Recognition Awards are presented on an annual basis to coaches and club leaders who have made significant efforts or achievements in their communities.   

The Club Development Award will be presented to a coach, club leader or volunteer who has clearly demonstrated his or her abilities at developing a club or the sport through grassroots programs such as creating a new club or program or promoting the sport through the club. The Coach Developer Award will be presented to a coach who contributes to the training of new Canoe Kayak coaches outside of, or in addition to their regular coaching duties.  

The awards are presented yearly at Canoe Kayak Canada’s Special Meeting of Members. The Summit will take place this year virtually on November 18, 2023.  

Click here to submit nominations.  

Deadline is October 18, 2023.  

For more information, contact James Cartwright

Canada’s top Sprint and Paracanoe paddlers will be at the start gates in Germany for the first round of Olympic Qualifiers for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Paris, France. Starting Wednesday, August 23 until Sunday, August 27, this event will showcase the top sprint athletes in both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines who are competing for the goal of a quota for Paris 2024.    

Quick Links:

Official ICF Event Link
Live streaming on Recast  (video recaps will be posted on Planet Canoe YouTube at a later time)
Photos from the Event 

How Qualifications work*: 

Sprint Kayak: 

K1 – Top 6 qualify (host country gets 1 quota) – (7 athletes total, 7 boats) 

K2 – Top 6 qualify (12 athletes total, 6 boats) 

K4 – Top 10 qualify (40 athletes total, 10 boats) – (4 Continents must be represented in the Top 10, if they are not, the 10th to 8th spots could be reallocated to the next ranked boats from the next ranked continents to meet this requirement). 

Sprint Canoe: 

C1 – Top 5 qualify (host country gets 1 quota) (6 athletes total, 6 boats) 

C2 – Top 8 qualify (16 athletes, 8 boats) 

Paracanoe 

 – Top 6 in each of the 10 events, only one quota per country per event 

*This is not qualifying the athletes themselves, this qualifies Canada for country quota spots. Athlete qualifications come at a later date. 

K2 F UNIFIED FINAL                  RACHEL COHEN AND MADDY SCHMIDT
DEMO II H K1 200M                   MATTHEW CASEY
II F K1 200M DEMO                   RACHEL COHEN
K2 H UNIFIED FINAL                 MATTHEW CASEY AND LAURENT LAVIGNE

Race Schedule: 

CanoeKayak Canada is looking for two individuals to join the organization’s Board of Directors.  This position is representative of the Paddling Association members of CKC and will be instrumental in providing a member perspective to the discussions and decision-making of the organization.

The Board of Directors is comprised of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 11 people.  Below outlines how these positions are elected or appointed by the two classes of membership within CKC:

• Each of the 3 Paddling Disciplines have 2 positions which they elect or appoint from their discipline members for a total of 6 positions
• The Paddling Association members elect 4 positions from amongst the entire CKC membership

Candidate must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Be 18 years of age or older,
• Have the power under law to contract,
• Be a resident of Canada,
• Have not been declared incapable by a court in Canada or in another country,
• Do not have the status of bankrupt, and
• Satisfies the requirements of the Income Tax Act in relation to the eligibility to serve as a director of a registered charity
• Be a current member in good standing of a Paddling Association member of CKC

In addition, the ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in serving on Not For Profit Boards of Directors
• Knowledge of CKC and its member disciplines
• A specific skill set or expertise that would be of benefit to the organization
• Knowledge of the Canadian sport system is an asset but not required
• Ability to commit approximately 10 – 15 hours per month to the work of the Board
• Willing and able to travel if necessary

This is a volunteer position with a term of three years.

Interested candidates are required to complete this form  (scroll to the bottom section) in order to be considered for the position.

Deadline for applications is midnight EST on September 5, 2023.

Please send applications to Chair of the CKC Nominating Committee, care of Kathy Hare by email to khare@canoekayak.ca

OTTAWA, ON (July 20, 2023) – Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) is thrilled to announce the athletes nominated to the Sprint Canoe World Championship team to compete in the PaddleALL events (ICF Intellectual Impairment II events).

Rachel Cohen (Balmy Beach Canoe Club) and Matthew Casey (Cheema Aquatic Club) have been selected to the World Championship team based on their winning K1-200m performances at the Canada Cup East event in Ottawa, Ontario.

PaddleALL  programming in our Canoe Kayak community in Canada has, for nearly two decades, encouraged athletes with intellectual disabilities to train and race to be their best in sport. Last year, the International Canoe Federation (ICF) in partnership with Canoe Kayak Canada hosted its first-ever PaddleALL (Intellectual Impairment II) exhibition races at a world championship event. Canoe Kayak Canada continues to work with its partners and members across Canada to push for Special Olympics Canada recognition and to have the opportunity to send our Canadian athletes to the Special Olympics World Games.

“Rachel and Matthew are strong additions to our team heading into the World Championships,” said Ian Mortimer, Chief Technical Officer of Canoe Kayak Canada. “In both the K1 and Unified Events we will be targeting podium performances, which is a reflection of not just these two athletes, but the strength of our PaddleALL community across Canada, who deserve this chance to compete on the world stage.”

Rachel Cohen started her paddling journey in 2017 with the Pickering Rouge Canoe Club in 2017 and currently paddles with the Balmy Beach Canoe Club in Toronto, Ontario. Capitalizing on her multi-sport experience, Rachel found swift enjoyment and success in the kayak, winning a silver medal at the 2022 ICF World Championships exhibition race. As captain of her swim team, Rachel has also been selected to compete in the Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games in 2024. She was also inducted into the Toronto Sport Hall of Honour in 2022 as the Special Olympics Athlete of the Year.

Hailing from Fall River, Nova Scotia, Matthew Casey has been paddling at the Cheema Canoe Club for over 11 years now and also brings a wealth of sports experience, including hockey, golf and cycling. Qualifying for this World Championship team holds extra meaning for Matthew as he was sidelined by a broken arm at the 2022 World Championships, preventing him from competing on home waters. Off the water, Matthew loves volunteering his time with the PaddleALL program, supporting the next generation of athletes.

Rachel and Matthew will compete amongst the world’s best sprint paddlers at the ICF Canoe and Para Canoe World Championships in Duisburg, Germany from August 23-27.

The Rosters:

ICF Canoe World Championships

Intellectual Impairment II

 Matthew Casey – Cheema Aquatic Club
Rachel Cohen – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Men’s Kayak

Vincent Jourdenais – Club de canoë-kayak de vitesse de Trois-Rivières
Laurent Lavigne – Club de canoë-kayak de vitesse de Trois-Rivières
Cameron Low – Balmy Beach Canoe Club
Brian Malfesi – Ridge Canoe and Kayak Club
Nicholas Matveev – Balmy Beach Canoe Club
Simon McTavish – Mississauga Canoe Club
Pierre-Luc Poulin – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac-Beauport

Men’s Canoe

Andrew Billard – Maskwa Aquatic Club
Connor Fitzpatrick – Senobe Aquatic Club
Alix Plomteux – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac-Beauport
Tyler Laidlaw – Sackawa Canoe Club
Craig Spence – Cheema Aquatic Club

Women’s Kayak

Toshka Besharah-Hrebacka – Rideau Canoe Club
Natalie Davison – Rideau Canoe Club
Riley Melanson – Banook Canoe Club
Michelle Russell – Abenaki Aquatic Club
Maddy Schmidt – Rideau Canoe Club
Courtney Stott – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Women’s Canoe

Jacy Grant  – Cheema Aquatic Club
Sophia Jensen – Cascades
Julia Lilley Osende – Mic Mac Aquatic Canoe Club
Sloan MacKenzie – Cheema Aquatic Club
Katie Vincent – Mississauga Canoe Club

ICF Para Canoe World Championships

Men Kayak

Gabriel Ferron-Bouius – Rideau Canoe Club

Men Va’a

Mathieu St.Pierre – Club de canotage du Shawinigan
Benjamin Brown – Maskwa Aquatic Club

Women Kayak

Brianna Hennessy – Ottawa River Canoe Club

Women Va’a

Brianna Hennessy – Ottawa River Canoe Club
Erica Scarff – Mississauga Canoe Club

Visit Canoe Kayak Canada’s website to get more information and make sure to follow @PlanetCanoe and @CanoeKayakCAN for more live updates.

Subscribe to Canoe Kayak Canada’s mailing list to get all news and results directly to your email.

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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother
Communications Coordinator
enother@canoekayak.ca

It is with deep sadness that Canoe Kayak Canada recognizes the tragic passing of Dima Buzdugan, member of the Richmond Hill Canoe Club.

Dumitru passed away on Monday July 10^th, at the Welland General Hospital.  Canoe Kayak Canada wishes to express its deepest sympathies to Dima’s family, his wife and two children, and all those affected by his sudden loss.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made through a GoFundMe that has been set up in Dumitru’s honour.

MINDEN, ONTARIO (JULY 6, 2023) – Canada’s best whitewater paddlers will be gathering at the Minden Whitewater Preserve on the Gull River from August 21st to 27th to compete for National titles in Canoe and Kayak Slalom, Freestyle, Downriver, and Kayak Cross. International athletes will be present to compete for International Canoe Federation ranking points at the Minden Open Race which will run concurrently.  

More than a hundred athletes will be competing in multiple disciplines over the course of the week, keeping competition fierce as the provinces battle for points towards the Brian Greer Cup, the Provincial Team title. With International Canoe Federation ranking points also up for grabs, athletes from other nations are expected to attend, further deepening the field and adding to the excitement.

All are invited to this free event, which includes the thrilling new whitewater discipline of kayak cross. Pitting four athletes head-to-head, kayak cross is a must see as it is set to make its Olympic Games debut next year in Paris.

“We are excited to welcome athletes from across the country and around the world to Minden,” said Eric Betteridge, Organizing Committee Co-Chair. “This world class venue has been the site of many National Championships as well as the 2015 Pan Am Games and three World Cup events. This will be a great opportunity for our younger athletes to gain valuable experience competing against national and international athletes, as it is an international ranking race.”

“I am beyond excited to see that Nationals are being held in Minden after a four-year hiatus. It is such a great venue with a challenging whitewater course. I have many  memories from Minden either from attending team selection or Nationals and it is always a lot of fun competing there. Good luck to everyone!” – Florence Maheu, National Whitewater Slalom Team, Olympian.

Location: Minden Whitewater Preserve, 1020 Bethel Rd, Minden, ON

Schedule:

Aug 23: AM – Kayak Cross Time Trial; PM – Kayak Cross Elimination 

Aug 24: AM – Freestyle; PM – Development Race 

Aug 25: AM- Down River Classic;  PM – Down River Sprint

Aug 26: Slalom Age Group Races  (Heats 1 and 2)

Aug 27: Slalom Open Races (Semi-finals and Finals)

For updates and more information follow  Whitewater Ontario on  Instagram and Facebook or visit the event 2023 Whitewater Nationals website.

About Whitewater Ontario

Whitewater Ontario is a volunteer-driven organization uniting, supporting, and sustaining the inclusive development of the whitewater paddling community and resources within the province. The Minden Whitewater Preserve, where the 2023 Nationals are being held, is one of the many focal points for recreational and competitive paddling in the province. Ontario is well represented on national teams by Slalom, Freestyle and Downriver athletes. Most recently Ontario Slalom athletes brought home two silver medals from the 2023 Pan Am Championships  and are representing Canada on the World Cup Circuit. Canadian Freestyle athletes are some of the best in the world – recently, Freestyle athletes brought home 5 silver medals from the 2022 World Championships and World Cups. Ontario Slalom, Freestyle and Downriver athletes comprise a large proportion of the National teams representing Canada at Senior, Junior and U23 World Championships.  

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For more information :

Eric Betteridge 

Co-Chair 2023 Whitewater Nationals Organizing Committee

613-806-2532

Eric.Whitewater@gmail.com

Tokyo teammates Andréanne Langlois and Alanna Bray-Lougheed are packing up their paddles and announcing their official retirement from competitive sprint paddling following successful careers representing Canada on the world’s largest sporting stages.

Andréanne and Alanna have a combined 20 years of paddling experience racing at an elite level and even more national and international medals to showcase their successes. In 2019, the kayaking duo brought home gold in the women’s K-2 500m and K-4 500m at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

Alanna Bray-Lougheed (30) grew up in Oakville, Ontario and kick started her paddling career at the Burloak Canoe Club. She was named to the national team for the first time in 2015 after winning the K-2 200m and K-2 500m national titles with Lizzy Bates and going on to win multiple national titles in the years to come. In 2017, Alanna broke into the international scene, competing in both World Cup and World championships in multiple K-2 distances with Natalie Davison.

In 2019, she raced to gold at the 2019 Pan Am Games with Langlois in the K-2 500m, and helped the women’s K-4 500m team paddle to their third consecutive gold.

Alanna made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 where she competed in the K-2 500m with Madeline Schmidt and in the K-4 500m with Langlois.

“Making the Olympic team after a year with big ups and downs and having them postponed, was definitely a highlight of my career,” shared Bray-Lougheed. “But it was the training camps leading up to big competitions that are memories I will cherish the most. Joking around in the boat bays, completing a hard practice and chatting about it afterwards over dinner with teammates, and the feeling of working together towards the big goal.”

Hailing from Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Andréanne (30) first represented Canada as a 16-year-old at the 2009 ICF Junior World Championships. She continued to climb up the ranks to compete at the World Cup level in 2016. Andréanne qualified for her first Olympic Games in Rio finishing 8^th in the K-4 500m and 14^th in the K-1 200m events.

“My first Olympics is my most cherished memory,” said Langlois. “I had the opportunity to be surrounded by my heroes and idols. It was an amazing experience to be with people with so much experience. I will never forget it.”

She went on to compete at the world championships in 2017 and qualifying for Pan American Games in 2019, bringing home an impressive 4 medals for Canada.

In her second Olympic appearance at Tokyo 2020, Langlois reached the A final of the K-1 200m and the B final of the K-4 500m.

At the 2022 ICF World Championships, held in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, she wrapped up her paddling career with a bronze medal finish in the K2 200m final with partner Toshka Besharah – Hrebecka.

“The highlight of my career was winning a medal in my own country with my girl, Toshka. It was an amazing experience to share it with new eyes and be able to do my favorite distance with a friend. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.”

While both Alanna and Andréanne are starting new chapters in their life working in healthcare, they both intend on staying connected to the community that helped shaped them into the people they are today.

“I plan on staying involved in the sport in some capacity, such as a mentor and volunteer and I hope to continue competing at Nationals,” said Bray-Lougheed. “I just recently moved from Halifax to Toronto to start a new job as a Registered Dietitian in the NICU at Sunnybrook Hospital. I’m really excited to start a new chapter and know my time as an athlete will serve me well in this new career.”

CKC wishes Andréanne and Alanna all the best on their new journeys and look forward to seeing them on the dock cheering on the next generation of Canadian paddlers!

OTTAWA, ON (July 29, 2023) – Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) announces the 2023 rosters of sprint paddlers nominated to compete at the Senior, Junior, U23 ICF Canoe World Championships and the Olympic Hopes Regatta this summer.

The world’s best sprint paddlers will contest for 2024 Olympic and Paralympic quota spots at the ICF Canoe and Para Canoe World Championships in Duisburg, Germany from August 23-27.

“As a team we are looking to qualify as many quota spots as possible and we intend to work really hard to be ready to do just that,” said Connor Fitzpatrick, 2022 World Champion in C-2 mixed 500m event. “I hope to put myself in the fight for a quota spot against the best in the world.”

Olympic bronze medallist Katie Vincent, will look to reclaim and defend her world championship titles, winning three gold medals and a bronze at the 2022 ICF Worlds in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Team Canada took home a total of eight medals last year including a silver and bronze from 2020 Paralympian Brianna Hennessy. Canada also ranked 4^th overall in the country medal standings.

Canada will be proudly represented by 32 emerging paddlers at the Junior and U23 World Championships team, including siblings Peter, Maren and Stuart Bradley from the Rideau Canoe Club.

“Being able to race alongside my two brothers internationally is something I never would have imagined when we got into this sport,” said Maren Bradley. “The three of us are each other’s biggest fans so I am really looking forward to cheering them on and also having them there to motivate me at showtime! Such an amazing opportunity for our whole family.”

The ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships will take place from July 5-9 in Auronzo, Italy.

The Olympic Hopes Regatta will take place September 7 – 10 in Poznan, Poland featuring 24 of Canada’s top U16 and U17 paddlers in an iconic event that showcases the next generation of Olympic talent.

“We are proud of the efforts of all of the athletes who raced for nominations this past weekend and look forward to working with those athletes nominated to compete on the world stage,” said CKC’s Chief Technical Officer, Ian Mortimer. “The events this summer are an exciting opportunity for us to showcase our talent as a nation, and we know the entire community at home will be cheering them on.”

The selection event was held at the National Team Trials at the Olympic Basin in Montreal, Quebec from June 23-26.

The Rosters:

Senior ICF Canoe World Championships

Men’s Kayak

Vincent Jourdenais – Club de canoë-kayak de vitesse de Trois-Rivières
Laurent Lavigne – Club de canoë-kayak de vitesse de Trois-Rivières
Cameron Low – Balmy Beach Canoe Club
Brian Malfesi – Ridge Canoe and Kayak Club
Nicholas Matveev – Balmy Beach Canoe Club
Simon McTavish – Mississauga Canoe Club
Pierre-Luc Poulin – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac Beauport

Men’s Canoe

Andrew Billard – Maskwa Aquatic Club
Connor Fitzpatrick – Senobe Aquatic Club
Tyler Laidlaw – Sackawa Canoe Club
Alix Plomteux – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac Beauport
Craig Spence – Cheema Aquatic Club

Women’s Kayak

Toshka Besharah-Hrebacka – Rideau Canoe Club
Natalie Davison – Rideau Canoe Club
Riley Melanson – Senobe Aquatic Club
Michelle Russell – Abenaki Aquatic Club
Maddy Schmidt – Rideau Canoe Club
Courtney Stott – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Women’s Canoe

Jacy Grant  – Cheema Aquatic Club
Sophia Jensen – Cascades
Julia Lilley Osende – Mic Mac Aquatic Canoe Club
Sloan MacKenzie – Cheema Aquatic Club
Katie Vincent – Mississauga Canoe Club

ICF Para Canoe World Championships

Men’s Kayak

Gabriel Ferron-Bouius – Rideau Canoe Club

Men’s Va’a

Benjamin Brown – Maskwa Aquatic Club
Mathieu St.Pierre – Club de canotage de Shawinigan

Women’s Kayak

Brianna Hennessy – Ottawa River Canoe Club

Women’s Va’a

Brianna Hennessy – Ottawa River Canoe Club
Erica Scarff – Mississauga Canoe Club

ICF U23 Canoe World Championships

Men’s Kayak

Alex Canning – Banook Canoe Club
Ian Gaudet – Banook Canoe Club
Jérémy Lantz – Club de canoë-kayak de vitesse de Trois-Rivières

Men’s Canoe

Peter Bradley – Rideau Canoe Club
Viktor Hardy – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac Beauport
Zachary Kralik – Mississauga Canoe Club

Women’s Kayak

Maren Bradley – Rideau Canoe Club
Sarah Nagy  – Richmond Hill Canoe Club
Brooklyn Wodehouse – Richmond Hill Canoe Club

Women’s Canoe

Marlee MacIntosh – Maskwa Aquatic Club
Jessica MacKay – Maskwa Aquatic Club
Evie McDonald – Rideau Canoe Club

ICF Junior (U18) World Championship 

Men’s Kayak

Thomas Beauregard – Rideau Canoe Club
Carson Corey – Burloak Canoe Club
Braden Lawrence – Senobe Aquatic Club
Ryan Naroditsky – Rideau Canoe Club
Carter Naugler – Senobe Aquatic Club

Men’s Canoe

Stuart Bradley – Rideau Canoe Club
Jack Chambers – Mississauga Canoe Club
Nikita Ciudin – Calgary Canoe Club
Étienne Gamache – Club de canotage Otterburn
Nicholas Shirokov – Mississauga Canoe Club

Women’s Kayak

Chloe Bryer – Burloak Canoe Club
Florence Hamel – Club de canoë de Lachine
Callie Loch – Rideau Canoe Club
Ivy Murphy – Banook Canoe Club
Alina Tverie – Club de canoë de Lachine

 Women’s Canoe

Élizabeth Desrosiers-McArthur – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac Beauport
Ruby Muhl – Rideau Canoe Club
Julia Price – Rideau Canoe Club
Zoe Wojtyk – Rideau Canoe Club
Abby Wojtyk – Rideau Canoe Club

Olympic Hopes Regatta 

Men’s Kayak

 U17

Luke Enns  – Toba Canoe and Kayak Club
Carter Naugler – Senobe Aquatic Club
Henrik Neuspiel  – Rideau Canoe Club

 U16

Conrad Hoogerboord – Senobe Aqautic Club
William Jennings – Maskwa Aquatic Club
Dyllan Redwood-Wheeler – Carleton Place Canoe Club

Men’s Canoe

 U17 

Duncan Giles  – Senobe Aquatic Club
Alexander McNeil  – Maskwa Aquatic Club
Cole Norman –  Rideau Canoe Club

U16 

Justin Boyko  – Calgary Canoe Club
Shawn Ge –  Burloak Canoe Club
Baer Robertson  – Wascana Canoe Club

Women’s Kayak

U17

Chloe Bryer  – Burloak Canoe Club
Florence Hamel  – Club de canoë de Lachine
Callie Loch  – Rideau Canoe Club

U16

Marie Chamberland  – Club de canotage du Lac-Sergent
Amelia Frank  – Pisquid Aquatic Club
Maura Macumber  – Maskwa Canoe Club

Women’s Canoe

U17

Isabel Lowry  – Carleton Place Canoe Club
Ruby Muhl  – Rideau Canoe Club
Julia Price – Rideau Canoe Club

U16

Abbie Haines – Carleton Place Canoe Club
Emma Marshall – Balmy Beach Canoe Club
Victoria Tran – Maskwa Aquatic Club

Visit Canoe Kayak Canada’s website to get more information and make sure to follow @PlanetCanoe and @CanoeKayakCAN for more live updates.

Subscribe to Canoe Kayak Canada’s mailing list to get all news and results directly to your email.

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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother
Communications Coordinator
enother@canoekayak.ca

Canada’s canoe/kayak slalom team announced for Santiago 2023 

OTTAWA (June 28, 2023) – Canoe Kayak Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Canada’s canoe/kayak slalom team selected to compete at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

The Team Canada slalom paddlers for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games are:

Athletes
Alex Baldoni (Pau, France)
Léa Baldoni (Pau, France)
Lois Betteridge (Ottawa, Ont.)
Florence Maheu (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.)
Maël Rivard (Ottawa, Ont.)

The five athletes qualified for Team Canada at the Pan American Championships held in Três Coroas, Brazil in late April where they collected a total of five silver medals.

“Being named to the Santiago team is very exciting,” said Lois Betteridge, silver medallist in the women’s C-1 at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. “Getting to compete for the second time, as part of Team Canada is something very special. It feels amazing to be going as part of a strong team and I hope to be able to contribute to the success of Canada at the Pan American Games!”

No stranger to the major Games atmosphere, Florence Maheu competed in the women’s K-1 event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, finishing 23rd overall. Santiago 2023 will be her first Pan American Games appearance. It will be the first major Games for Maël Rivard as well as siblings Alex and Léa Baldoni. Dual citizens reigning from Pau, France, the brother and sister duo are proud to be representing their mother’s side of the family as a part of Team Canada on the international stage.

Canoe/kayak slalom made its Pan American Games debut at Toronto 2015. Canada has since won seven Pan Am Games medals in the sport. Kayak cross, an exciting new competition format in which four athletes race head-to-head through a whitewater course, made its Pan American Games debut at Lima 2019 and will make its Olympic debut at Paris 2024.

Team Canada will have athletes competing in all of the canoe/kayak slalom events.

“The whole team is delighted for the opportunity to represent Canada in Santiago this fall,” said Canoe Kayak Canada Senior High Performance Manager and three-time Olympian in canoe slalom, James Cartwright. “This season is going to be a marathon with our Olympic qualifications starting in September in London and I know our athletes will also be very motivated to perform as part of Team Canada in Santiago!”

Canoe/kayak slalom will take place October 27-29 (Day 7 to 9) at the Río Aconcagua, Los Andes.

“I’m truly excited to welcome five new athletes on Team Canada who will represent us in canoe/kayak slalom,” said Christine Girard, Team Canada’s Santiago 2023 Chef de Mission. “With a good mix of experienced and newer athletes, the team will surely take our breath away on the whitewater course! An amazing venue and opportunity to showcase this thrilling sport.”

Team Canada’s canoe/kayak slalom coaching staff for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games are:

Coaches
Anthony Colin (Mansle, France) – International Coach
Michal Staniszewski (Gatineau, Que.) – Next Gen Coach

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.

The latest Team Canada Santiago 2023 roster can be found here.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Colleen Coderre, Communications Lead
Canoe Kayak Canada
C: 613-530-6217
E: ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother, Communications Coordinator
Canoe Kayak Canada
C: 905-912-1322
E: enother@canoekayak.ca  

Tara MacBournie, Team Canada Santiago 2023 Sport Communications Lead
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-522-8328
E: tmacbournie@olympic.ca

Paddling brings people of all backgrounds and ages together, it waves away our differences and connects us to the water, land, and nature that surrounds us. It’s hard to describe the feeling you have in your boat, but we all know exactly what that feeling is.

Today, on Indigenous Peoples Day, it is important to remember that paddling is far more than competition, it is a pillar of life for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples on Turtle Island and Indigenous peoples all over the world. We are all incredibly fortunate to share in the benefits and beauty of this sport on a cultural, spiritual, physical, and emotional level.

One organization that is leading the way to empower Indigenous youth and their communities through canoe-based outdoor recreation programs is Waterways Canada (Waterways). Waterways is an indigenous-led non-profit organization based in Manitoba that was created in the summer of 2020 by a group of individuals, two of which are indigenous competitive paddlers themselves. Their mission is to connect indigenous youth with their culture, lands and community while nurturing their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Through their collaborative canoe programs, they provide indigenous youth with the tools they need to lead healthy lives and conquer any challenges they may face.

The programming Waterways provides enables Indigenous youth to connect to the water and rekindle their connection to elements of their culture that are critically endangered, such their indigenous languages. Many of their programs have grown exponentially since they began, with a high demand within Indigenous communities to get outside and embrace paddling while enriching their souls with their culture that was once lost. Waterways is proud to have programming in over 20 communities across Manitoba, celebrating and connecting Indigenous youth and communities through the sport of paddling.

To continue to grow this empowering and essential programming it requires significant funding. This year, Waterways was fortunate enough to receive a donation from a donor through the GiftPact Foundation that CKC helped facilitate that will enable this year’s programming to flourish and encourage Indigenous youth in Manitoba to continue to engage in their culture and identity through paddling. From supporting year-round planning to purchasing equipment, every dollar helps empower Indigenous youth to get out on the water and discover what they love about themselves, their culture, and canoeing.

There is a huge importance for indigenous youth and their communities to have an outlet and a place to connect with the land, their families, and their communities to rekindle their connection to their culture. For indigenous peoples, paddling is a way of life, a way of discovering their ancestry, learning powerful life lessons, and passing on their knowledge for generations to come. Waterways is an organization that is building a space for indigenous peoples to do just that, and it is something to celebrate today and every day.

For more information on Waterways and the work that they do, please visit Waterways Canada. You can also support Waterways through the Ultimate Canoe Tripping Raffle until July 4^th, 2023. Tickets are available here.

We encourage you to take the time today to honour, reflect, learn, and celebrate the history, culture, and resistance of all Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.

Photos Provided by: Waterways Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, ON (May 25, 2023) – Canada’s best under-23 and junior slalom paddlers have been named to the CKC World Championship teams this season. Fourteen athletes secured their spot throughout the selection process competing in international races in France and Spain and at the Kananaskis selection race in Alberta, Canada.

“I’m excited to welcome our paddlers back to our program and to kick off the 2023 season” said James Cartwright, Senior High Performance Manager. It’s inspiring to see the level of paddling in these young athletes, our junior and U23 team is competitive, and I look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in Krakow.”

Rising U23 slalom star Maël Rivard (Ontario) is looking forward to the big season ahead saying, “I am stoked to be returning to Krakow for U23 World Championships this summer. The venue is great for racing and I know it well. Excitement levels will be high with the European Games wrapping up in Krakow just before. This event will be an important competition in my preparation for the Senior World Championships in September.”

Béatrice Olson (Ontario) will represent Canada in her last year of eligibility as a junior this upcoming season. “I am very excited to be part of the team that will be going the 2023 Junior World Championships,” shared Olsen. “I have been to Krakow a few times before and have always enjoyed racing there because of the challenging stoppers on the course. This will be my last year as a junior so my focus will be on delivering my best performance of the season.”

Members of the team will attend several international competitions in Slovenia, Czech Republic and Slovakia alongside the development squad in the lead up to the world championship event. The development athletes will attend the international competitions and return to Canada before the U23 and Junior World Championships. The International Canoe Federation Slalom U23 and Junior World Championships will take place from August 16-20 in Krakow, Poland.

You can find the list of events at Canoe Kayak Canada.

*Qualified for both U23 and Junior teams, competing at Junior World Championships.

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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother
Communications Coordinator
enother@canoekayak.ca

CKC is committed to protecting the health, safety, and physical and mental well-being of every individual that is involved in the Canadian paddling community.  CKC takes any situation involving misconduct, maltreatment, and prohibited behaviour very seriously.  As part of our programming, we are offering to our community a series of workshops.

These sessions will be led by Allison Forsyth, COO, Partner ITP Sport & Recreation, Olympian, and World Championship bronze medalist skier.  Allison is a survivor of abuse in the Canadian sport system and is passionate about providing audience relevant education in a real, conversational, and interactive ways. These sessions will provide you with real life scenarios and help all participant groups work through the realities and challenges of Safe Sport implementation, behaviour shifts, and identifying potential predatorial abuse. If you have taken online training before, rest assured that training is considered and these sessions will elevate your knowledge, your duty to protect and be protected, and how to navigate the nuances from commonly seen micro-aggressions and when and how to report maltreatment.

Allison does not take sides. She believes in Safe Sport for all, and whether you are a parent, athlete, coach, official, or administrator, she leads with empathy for your position in this movement and is positive and supportive in her approach.

Safe Sport is a critical component of the future of sport in our country and in every sport organization. These sessions will also support you in your understanding of the why behind that and how you can contribute to this new, safer era of sport.

We look forward to welcoming you to learn more!  Please share with all your members to encourage participation in the session that best speaks to the role you/they play in our community!

* Note that the sessions will be run in English but slides will be sent in both languages.  Simultaneous interpretation will be offered for the sessions as indicated above (please note that this will only be for anything offered in the main discussion and presentation and not in any potential breakout rooms).  Should this change, participants will be notified.

Canoe Kayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada, one of Canada’s top performing summer sports with a total of 26 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.

The Events Officer will be responsible for assisting with the delivery of domestic canoe kayak events playing a key role in planning, coordinating, monitoring, executing, and reporting on National level competitions. Additional responsibilities will include developing task charts for event execution, administrative, travel support, coordination and implementation of hosting guidelines for National events and servicing relationships with Host Organizing Committees (HOC).

If you or someone you know is interested in this role and would like to apply, please check out the full job description here.

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS MAY 10, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (April 27, 2023) – Over 20 sprint paddlers from across Canada have booked their tickets to the 2023 ICF Canoe Sprint and Para World Cup in Szeged, Hungary.

The World Cup team trials, held at the Chula Vista Elite Training Centre, served as a selection regatta for the ICF Canoe Sprint and Para World Cup running from May 11-14.

“The sprint competitive season is off to a strong start with strong performances from our squad at our selection trials,” said Chief Technical Officer, Ian Mortimer. “With World Championships and Pan Am Games ahead this season, the World Cup will be an exciting opportunity for us to test ourselves on the International stage.”

Eight Olympic and Paralympic paddlers from Tokyo were selected to the team, including 2022 two-time world champion, Katie Vincent.

“We are really excited to be heading over to Hungary for the World Cup,” said Vincent. “With lots of veterans on our team, I think our experience will be our strength in this pre-Olympic year. Everyone on the team has learned a lot from each other in the past year and this world cup event will be a great representation of our collaboration and growth as we continue to develop on the road to Paris!”

Paralympian Brianna Hennessy is looking forward to another powerful paddling season, following a busy winter season and cross-training with the National wheelchair rugby team.

“I am extremely grateful for the winter training with my coaches and teammates who have supported and helped me push through some difficult times for my family recently,” said Hennessy. “I am honoured to have been selected for the team and am humbled to have another opportunity to compete on the world stage alongside so many phenomenal athletes that I admire in both kayak and canoe.”

You can tune into live World Cup coverage on the ICF website. Stay tuned for World Championship team selections happening at the second set of trials in June at the Olympic Basin from June 23-25.

To learn more about selection criteria, click here.

2023 Sprint World Cup Team

Para                                                                                                                        Club

Women’s Canoe                                                                                                    Club

Men’s Canoe                                                                                                         Club

Women’s Kayak                                                                                                     Club

Men’s Kayak                                                                                                           Club

Visit Canoe Kayak Canada’s website to get more information and make sure to follow @CanoeKayakCAN for social updates.

Subscribe to Canoe Kayak Canada’s mailing list to get all news and results directly to your email.

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 26 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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother
Communications Coordinator
enother@canoekayak.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, ON (April 5, 2022) – Canada’s top slalom paddlers have been named to the CKC Senior World Cup and World Championship teams this season. Seven athletes secured their spot at the Pyrenees Cup selection races in Pau, France and La Seu d’Urgell, Spain.

“I’m excited to welcome our paddlers back to our program this summer to race the world cups and world championships,” said James Cartwright, Senior High Performance Manager. “We have what is going to be the longest international competition season ahead of us this summer ending with the Pan American Games in Santiago in late October. Our team is very motivated to return to another full season of international racing as we move right back into Olympic Qualification for the Paris 2024.”

There are many familiar faces returning to the international circuit including slalom siblings, Alex and Léa Baldoni from Ontario.

“I’m very glad I will have the chance this year again to represent Canada in the international events,” shared Léa Baldoni. “The 2023 season means a lot to me because it’s the first step towards 2024 Olympic qualification.”

Tokyo Olympian, Florence Maheu is also returning to competition in the women’s kayak as well as the new and exciting event, slalom kayak cross. The extreme event is slated to make its’ Olympic debut at 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“Im really looking forward to competing in two disciplines on the World Cup circuit,” said Maheu. ”I’m starting to feel more comfortable in the new kayak cross discipline and I’m looking forward to seeing how the recent equipment changes I have made in kayak cross are displayed on the international scene ahead of Olympic qualification.”

The U23 and junior World Championship teams will be announced following the 2023 Kananaskis selection event in May. Additionally, any remaining senior quota positions may be filled at that time.

The ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup circuit begins on June 2 in Augsburg, Germany.

You can find the list of events at Canoe Kayak Canada.

2023 CKC Senior Slalom Team

Visit Canoe Kayak Canada’s website to get more information and make sure to follow @CanoeKayakCAN for social updates.

Subscribe to Canoe Kayak Canada’s mailing list to get all news and results directly to your email.

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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre

Communications Lead

ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother

Communications Coordinator

enother@canoekayak.ca

Thanks to our incredible community, our Boats for All campaign closed on Monday, raising $15,657! This campaign had 72 donors, the highest amount of support we’ve seen in a campaign and beat our goal of $15,000, allowing us to purchase at least 10 touring boats that will be used at this year’s National Championships in Nova Scotia. This fleet of accessible boats will stay with the Host Division as a legacy to promote programming in the area for PaddleAll competitors, our program for those with intellectual disabilities.

“You have truly supported us in building the Paddle All/Special Olympic programming for this nation-wide initiative. Our athletes will have boats that they will be proud to paddle in because of your generosity,” said LA Schmidt, Commodore. “Thank you, Canoe Kayak donors from across Canada.  We are building our Paddle All program through your generous donations and the matching assistance from First Lake Solutions – thank you all so much. When we work together as a team, great things happen!”

A special thank you to First Lake Solutions who came forward with a matching challenge that helped us surpass our goal!

“First Lake would like to thank all of the donors for their generosity in making this campaign a success,” said Rob LeForte, Founder of First Lake Solutions. “We applaud CKC for taking the initiative to make canoe kayak accessible to people from all backgrounds.”

Our sincerest gratitude in helping us create an inclusive and welcoming community for all paddlers and creating a legacy for years to come.

Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) is proud to honour the numerous coaches who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, initiative, and competitive success throughout the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the CKC Coach Recognition Award.

This award is presented annually to coaches who have coached an athlete or crew to either the nomination to a CKC National Team (Senior World Championships, Junior World Championships, Carded Athlete, or National Development Team) or a gold medal at the Canadian Canoe Kayak Championships. A big congratulations to all!

Below is a full list of the Coach Recognition Award recipients for the 2021 and 2022 season:

CKC Ramping up the season to win!

What is it?

This is a campaign to encourage all individuals (please see “Who?” below) to complete their CKC Safe Sport Screening in the beginning of 2023, well in advance of the 2023 competitive season, so that nothing will impact participation in any CKC activity.

There are a few steps involved in completing the screening process.  Please see the section “How?” to review those steps.

Who needs to complete the Safe Sport Screening?

1. All individuals who are members of CKC Staff, Board, Councils, and Committees.
2. All CKC Officials.
3. Any individual from a CKC member club or organization (PTSO, Division)
   • that has adopted CKC Policies, and/or
   • who will participate in a CKC sanctioned event in 2023 (including but not limited to: Nationals, Trials, Canada Cup, Time trial event, Training Camp, Project Coach position, International CKC team event), and/or
   • will be a member of an HOC for a CKC event

Why?

To ensure all participants have completed their CKC Safe Sport Screening in advance of the 2023 season. Please note, that if you’ve completed the screening in 2022 and it is still valid, you will fall under the “renewal” process below.
When?

Target completion date for all individuals (for this campaign): March 31, 2023.
Prizes will only be available to those who complete their screening by March 31, 2023.
(But note that the screening process can be completed at any time during the year!)

How to Enter?

How to enter:

1. Contact your club or organization registrar for your RAMP login page
   • (Note for clubs/organizations: Instructions for RAMP setup can be found here)
2. Once signed in, complete your Safe Sport Screening!
   • (All instructions for individuals can also be found on our website here.)

How to get set up in RAMP?

Setup  >>>  Clubs/Organizations: Instructions for Ramp setup for Clubs and organizations can be found here.

Step 1-3: INDIVIDUALS: All instructions for individuals can also be found on our website here.

* for the components of a CRC or where to get one, please see the website under Step 2

PRIZES!

Yes, individuals having completed their safe sport screening for 2023 in RAMP will be entered into a draw for a prize. A total of 50 prizes will be given out.

To be eligible, you must have completed the full screening process prior to March 31, 2023.

If you have any questions please reach out to: development@canoekayak.ca

Good luck everyone and let’s get ready to WIN!!

It is with profound sadness that Canoe Kayak Canada recognizes the passing of Don May on January 27^th, 2023 at the age of 93. Don was a treasured member of the paddling community and a leader in sport with over 60 years of service provincially, nationally, and internationally.

Don took part in every element of paddling. He started as an athlete, often sharing stories about his past endeavors, replaying each and every stroke while relishing in some of his favourite races including paddling in War Canoe with his lifelong friend and teammate, Ray Knight as coxswain in 1953 when they won Senior Men’s War Canoe 1-Mile at Nationals in Ottawa. Don often recounted these memories with friends, family, and members of the community with pride and joy.

Don leaves a legacy of passion, dedication, and leadership in the sport of canoeing. He served as the Canadian Canoe Association (CCA) Commodore, Western Ontario Division Flag Officer, national official, was a founding member of the West Rouge Canoe Club and Ak-O-Mak Canoe Club, long-time member of the Toronto Sailing & Canoe Club, including winning the CCA Burgee in 1952 and past president of the Dominion Day Regatta Association (DDRA).

He received many well-deserved accolades which he was honoured to accept including winning captain of the first ever official Senior Women’s C15 at CCA in 1965 with Sudbury/Ak-O-Mak, receiving the R. Edgar Gilbert Award as a Builder in 1985, DDRA Achievement Award in 2005 for his over 50 years of contributions, along with donating the Don May Trophy to CKC for U16 Men’s C4 1000m in 2006.

Don had an insatiable enthusiasm for paddling and many in the community, both young and old, looked up to him for his knowledge, praise, and a good story. He will be dearly missed by all.

Canoe Kayak Canada wishes to express our deepest condolences to Don’s family, his friends and colleagues in the canoeing community. We also want to thank Don for his incredible lifetime contribution to canoeing.

Visitation and funeral information can be found here.

Below are a series of information sessions to provide Clubs a chance to learn about these initiatives coming in 2023.

To sign up please see the registration links below:

RAMP SUPPORT GROUP

As we begin to work within RAMP and become more and more familiar, we wanted to establish an area where Registrars or Club admin can collaborate or ask questions. Since each club is going through the same systems, we thought it would be helpful to discuss with your colleagues.

To sign up please see registration links below.

Effective today, Friday, December 16, 2022, Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) has access to services provided by the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), which serves as the central hub of Abuse-Free Sport, the new independent program to prevent and address maltreatment in sport

Complaints will now be filed with either Abuse-Free Sport or the Independent Third Party for CKC. A complete overview on how to file a complaint to either Abuse-Free Sport or The ITP is outlined in this section of the CKC website.

CKC has also adopted the most recent version (6.0) of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS). Member organizations who have already adopted the CKC Policy Suite are not required to make any updates to their Safe Sport Policies at this time.

Safe Sport Policy

There is more information about the Abuse-Free Sport program HERE, on the OSIC HERE, and on CKC’s page HERE.

For questions related to CKC Safe Sport, contact Kenna Robins.

UPDATE!

Thanks to your support, we’ve raised just over a third of our goal for our Boat For All campaign! We are excited to announce that we will be extending the campaign thanks to First Lake Solutions who has come forward with a matching challenge to help us reach our goal of $15,000. For every donation made in the next 2 weeks, First Lake Solutions will match it 100% up to $5,000. Please consider supporting our goal to make our sport more accessible to ALL athletes.

Canoe Kayak Canada is thrilled to launch Boats for All  – a campaign to ensure our races at National Championships are inclusive for all while growing the sport across the country!

With your help, we want to raise $15,000 to purchase a fleet of accessible boats that will be used at this year’s National Championships that will then stay with the Host Division as a legacy to promote programming in the area for those with intellectual disabilities in our PaddleAll program.

WHAT IS PADDLEALL?

CKC’s PaddleALL programming encourages athletes with intellectual disabilities to train and race to be their best in sport. This program provides high-quality training and competition opportunities to all athletes, regardless of ability, and is important for the growth of this sport and for the paddling community. Boats for All will leave a legacy for the future of PaddleAll Programming in Canada., it will also contribute to the global goal of inclusivity within the sport of paddling. It will promote canoeing as a fully inclusive sport as represented by the recent signing of an agreement with Special O International to promote the development of canoeing in the Special O World Games.

THE CAMPAIGN

Our mission is that every region across the country will have the standardized equipment that meets Special Olympics rules and regulations to be inclusive for all. In achieving this, we are providing legacy resources so Divisions can grow their Special Olympics/PaddleAll  programming. Each year the region that will be targeted to receive this equipment will be the Host Division of the Sprint National Championships.

As a continuously progressive National Sport Organization (NSO), Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) makes every effort for our sport to be accessible to all athletes, with a vision to increase our international opportunities for our PaddleAll and Special Olympics athletes. One of our main values is inclusion, and we pride ourselves in ensuring that our activities strive to be as inclusive as possible.

Currently, CKC provides opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities at our Sprint National Championships under our PaddleAll program. Many regions and clubs provide great programming for our athletes and have those athletes compete at our National Championships.

One of our biggest challenges in the continued success of this event is to ensure we have enough boats of the same type so that races are fair for all participants. Our Tourist class singles event is an event where athletes may not all use the same equipment at their clubs, but at Nationals Championships we need to guarantee they have the same access to equipment so the race is as fair as possible across the field.

These boats are versatile and can be used for many uses at a club, not just for PaddleAll programming. They will open up opportunities for everyone to try paddling and can be used in many introductory programs.

MAKE A DONATION HERE

THE GOAL

To ensure our races at National Championships are inclusive for all and to grow the sport across the country, we want to raise $15,000 to purchase a fleet of accessible boats that will be used at this year’s National Championships that will then stay with the Host Division as a legacy to promote programming in the area for PaddleAll competitors, our program for those with intellectual disabilities.

THE DETAILS

• Funds raised as a result of this campaign will go directly towards the purchase of 10 touring boats for the Atlantic Division to be used at the 2023 Sprint National Championships and left as a legacy for PaddleAll races in the Atlantic Division
• ADCKC will manage the use of these 10 boats in their region
• Contributions to the campaign over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt (please note that receipts will be issued post campaign)

ABOUT CKC’S PHILANTHROPIC INITIATIVES

Paddling is for all Canadians, whether they paddle for the leaf or for the sport.

We must continue our legacy – to ensure that paddling is available to everyone across our land so that they can experience our country in a way like no other. Paddling connects us to our history. But we’re at risk of not being able to pass down its rich tradition.

There is a crisis in sport funding in Canada. One of the major barriers in access to, promotion of, and programming in paddling is a lack of funding. But thanks to the generosity of Canadians, we can continue supporting paddling at all levels and disciplines within the sport. You can help us build paddling in Canada by making a tax-deductible charitable gift.

For the sport. For the leaf.

OTTAWA – Canoe Kayak Canada is delighted to announce the 2022 recipients of the Club Development Award and Coach Developer Award. The awards are presented on an annual basis to coaches and club leaders who have made significant achievements in their communities. This year, 16 coaches were nominated and the winners of this year’s awards were announced during the 2022 CKC Annual Summit.

“Coaches and club leaders across Canada are an instrumental part of the success of our sport and make an impact in the lives of our athletes and our sport system each and every day,” said James Cartwright, Senior Manager of High Performance and Coach Development. “We’re proud to recognize all of this year’s nominees. Taking time to formally recognize the accomplishments of our great coaches goes a long way to say thank you and to recognize the impact these individuals have in within paddling community.”

CKC Club Development Award

The Club Development Award is presented annually to a coach, club leader or volunteer who has clearly demonstrated his or her abilities at developing a club or the sport through grassroots programs such as creating a new club or program or promoting the sport through the club.

Jessica Riley has had a tremendous impact on both her community and the sport of Canoe Kayak. Jessica’s commitment to her programs have garnered growth and excellence at Yorktown Canoe and Kayak Club.

Through Jessica’s commitment, Yorkton Canoe and Kayak Club is a thriving community-based club that has regained its foothold as a training facility with high performance athletes who train year around. By developing and coaching a diverse range of competitive, recreational, and adaptive programs, Jessica has rebuilt the membership into a club that enrols over 500 people in programs annually.

CKC Coach Developer Award

The Coach Developer Award is presented to a coach who contributes to the training of new Canoe Kayak coaches outside of, or in addition to their regular coaching duties.

Jerome Seremak is an incredible force in coaching at the Manitoba Canoe and Kayak Club. He is described by many as one of the most motivating, caring, and hard-working coaches in the community. With a deep passion for paddling, he not only aids in athlete progression but truly cares for each athlete he leads.

Patrick Lester is a mentor and leader in the Ontario Coaching community serving various roles on the CKO Sprint High Performance Committee, as the Eastern Ontario Divisional Coaching Representative, as a 2022 Canada Games Coach and an integral part of Carleton Place Canoe Club (CPCC).

As a coach, Pat inspires all athletes, young and young at heart at Carleton Place Canoe Club. He believes in his athletes and cares about them both professionally and personally. From the parents on the shoreline watching their children to those on the water, Pat has made CPCC a second home for all

2022 Canoe Kayak Canada Excellence Nominees:

Sébastien BETTEZ – CANOE KAYAK TROIS-RIVIÈRES

Laura CLEMENHAGEN – COLLINGWOOD PADDLING CLUB

Lori DAVIS  – ROCKY CANOE CLUB

Kim GAUDET – BANOOK CANOE CLUB

Peter HODGSON – COLLINGWOOD PADDLING CLUB

Jeff HOUSER  – PISIQUID CANOE CLUB

Patrick LESTER  – CARLETON PLACE CANOE CLUB

Kevin McINTYRE – BANOOK CANOE CLUB

Jessica RILEY – YORKTON CANOE AND KAYAK CLUB

Graham SCHIEBEL – CALGARY CANOE CLUB

Angie SCHRODERUS – ROCKY CANOE CLUB

Jerome SEREMAK -MANITOBA CANOE AND KAYAK CLUB

François St.AUBIN -WHITEWATER ONTARIO

Katy STEWART – RICHMOND HILL CANOE CLUB

Savannah SULLIVAN – MASKWA AQUATIC CLUB

Robin THOMSON – ATLANTIC DIVISION CANOE KAYAK CANADA

CKC congratulates all who were nominated and to the 2022 recipients. For more information on the CKC Excellence Awards please click here.

CKC wants to provide an overview of all the Committee/Council Openings that will be fulfilled during the Summit Time Frame (Nov/Dec).

WHITEWATER:

* Contact Scott Best if you have any questions sbest@canoekayak.ca

* Contact Scott Best if you have any questions sbest@canoekayak.ca

* Contact Scott Best if you have any questions sbest@canoekayak.ca

* Contact Scott Best if you have any questions sbest@canoekayak.ca

SPRINT:

* Contact Jessica Kenney if you have any questions jkenney@canoekayak.ca

* Contact Jessica Kenney if you have any questions jkenney@canoekayak.ca

* Contact Jessica Kenney if you have any questions jkenney@canoekayak.ca

* Contact Jessica Kenney if you have any questions jkenney@canoekayak.ca

* Contact Jessica Kenney if you have any questions jkenney@canoekayak.ca

* Contact Jessica Kenney if you have any questions jkenney@canoekayak.ca

CKC COMMITTEES:

* Contact Sam Rogers if you have any questions philanthropy@canoekayak.ca

Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to join Abuse-Free Sport, the new independent program to prevent and address maltreatment in sport.

CKC and its stakeholders will have access to the services of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), which serves as the central hub of Abuse-Free Sport, following a transition period which will end no later than December 16, 2022.

“CKC recognizes that safe sport is everyone’s responsibility. We’re fully committed to doing our part to support a growing national movement that is changing the culture of sport in this country. As part of that commitment, we’re pleased to sign on to Abuse-Free Sport and to soon have the OSIC to administer our safe sport complaints,” said Casey Wade, CKC’s Chief Executive Officer said. “The sport community has been asking for just this kind of consistent national program. It’s an important step forward for everyone involved in sport in Canada.”

Canoe Kayak Canada has adopted the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), which is a requirement before it can become part of the Abuse-Free Sport program, and is making the required policy changes. The transition period will include further updating of our safe sport policies, information sharing to our members, and completing consent forms from individuals designated as UCCMS Participants.

Prior to December 16, 2022, participants who have experienced or witnessed abuse will continue to have access to independent third-party services through W&W Dispute Resolution Services – safesport_wwdrs@primus.ca.

There is more information about the Abuse-Free Sport program HERE, on the OSIC HERE, and on CKC’s page HERE.

About Canoe Kayak Canada

Canoe Kayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada, one of Canada’s top performing summer sports with a total of 26 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. 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.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
613-530-6217
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

More info and the application form can be found here

Sprint Competition Development Coach Pathway can be found here

Canoe Kayak Canada has officially launched the nomination process for the 2022 Excellence Awards.

The Club Development Award, the Coach Developer Award and Coach Recognition Awards are presented on an annual basis to coaches and club leaders who have made significant efforts or achievements in their communities.

The Club Development Award will be presented to a coach, club leader or volunteer who has clearly demonstrated his or her abilities at developing a club or the sport through grassroots programs such as creating a new club or program or promoting the sport through the club. The Coach Developer Award will be presented to a coach who contributes to the training of new Canoe Kayak coaches outside of, or in addition to their regular coaching duties.

The awards are presented yearly at Canoe Kayak Canada’s Annual Summit. The Summit will take place this year virtually on November 18-19, 2022.

Click here to submit nominations.

Deadline is November 7, 2022 

For more information, contact James Cartwright.

Canoe Kayak Canada is pleased to announce the 2023 National Freestyle Team, who will represent Canada at the 2023 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Columbus, Georgia from October 9^th – 14^th, 2023.

Twenty-one athletes were named to the 2023 National Freestyle Team who will represent Canada on their quest for the podium. For full list of the Canada Cup results, which were used for the 2023 Team Trials qualification, you can visit here.

Additionally, this fall our Freestyle athletes will be competing at the ICF Freestyle World Cup events from October 3 to 5 and 7 to 9, 2022, also taking place in Columbus, Georgia. These events are open to both National Team members and non-National Team members.

Athletes will be supported at both the World Cups and World Championships by National Team Coach Kalob Grady.

2023 National Freestyle Team:

For more information on the 2023 World Freestyle Championships, click here.

Those interested in competing at the World Cup events should contact Scott Best at (sbest@canoekayak.ca).

For any additional questions regarding Freestyle kayaking in Canada, please contact Canoe Kayak Canada Freestyle Chair Lee Vincent at (freestylechair@canoekayak.ca).

This is a permanent position, based in Canoe Kayak Canada’s Montreal National Training Centre. The intended start date of this position is October 1^st, 2022.

As a reflection of CKC’s commitment to Inclusion, as one of the core values committed to in our 2024 Strategic Plan, we continue to look to fill technical roles within our organization with individuals from underrepresented groups within our technical leadership team. Furthermore, our commitment to adherence to our Safe Sport standards and policies often requires key persons of authority who identify as Male and Female in coaching situations. Any and all questions about this permanent position should be directed to Ian Mortimer, Chief Technical Officer – imortimer@canoekayak.ca

The CKC Men’s Kayak Coach hereinafter referred to as ‘The Coach” is part of a coaching team responsible for the development of sprint racing member athletes capable of achieving world-class performances while contributing to the physical, psychological and social development of each athlete entrusted into their care. This position will be based out of Montreal, Quebec at the National Training Center and requires extensive travel to meet international training and competition commitments.

Skills / Background

• Be a coach with a successful track record of coaching athletes to the national and / or international level and / or extensive international experience as an athlete.
• Be comfortable and enthusiastic in delivering programing as part of a team in close collaboration with other coaches and IST, with the HC making final decisions on programing, entries and other key technical decisions.
• Show evidence of working effectively within a team, possessing excellent planning, interpersonal, management and organizational skills, and can motivate and inspire others
• Have good written and oral communication skills
• The ability to work in both official languages is considered an asset
• Evidence of the ability to think innovatively and use experience and knowledge from other sports or fields to accomplish excellence
• Key personal qualities include adaptability, commitment, drive, innovation
• Strong computer literacy and coaching software

For the full job description and how to apply, please click here.

Deadline is September 23, 2022.

Canoe Kayak Canada is looking for one individual to join the organization’s Board of Directors.  This position is representative of the Paddling Association members of CKC and will be instrumental in providing a member perspective to the discussions and decision-making of the organization.

The Board of Directors is comprised of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 11 people.  Below outlines how these positions are elected or appointed by the two classes of membership within CKC:

• Each of the 3 Paddling Disciplines have 2 positions which they elect or appoint from their discipline members for a total of 6 positions
• The Paddling Association members elect 4 positions from amongst the entire CKC membership

Candidate must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Be 18 years of age or older,
• Have the power under law to contract,
• Be a resident of Canada,
• Have not been declared incapable by a court in Canada or in another country,
• Do not have the status of bankrupt, and
• Satisfies the requirements of the Income Tax Act in relation to the eligibility to serve as a director of a registered charity
• Be a current member in good standing of a Paddling Association member of CKC

In addition, the ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in serving on Not For Profit Boards of Directors
• Knowledge of CKC and its member disciplines
• A specific skill set or expertise that would be of benefit to the organization
• Knowledge of the Canadian sport system is an asset but not required
• Ability to commit approximately 10 – 15 hours per month to the work of the Board
• Willing and able to travel if necessary

This is a volunteer position with a term of three years.

Interested candidates are required to complete the attached form in order to be considered for the position.

Application Form can be found here.

Deadline for applications is midnight EST on September 5, 2022.

Please send applications to Chair of the CKC Nominating Committee, care of Kathy Hare by email to khare@canoekayak.ca

Canoe Kayak Canada is looking for one individual to join the organization’s Board of Directors as the Athlete Director-at-Large.  This position is instrumental in providing an athlete’s perspective to the discussions and decision-making of the organization.

As a full member of the Board of Directors, the Athlete Director-at-Large will have all of the duties and responsibilities of a Director and will participate in all Board meetings, discussions and decisions.

Candidates must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Be 18 years of age or older,
• Have the power under law to contract,
• Be a resident of Canada,
• Have not been declared incapable by a court in Canada or in another country,
• Do not have the status of bankrupt, and
• Satisfies the requirements of the Income Tax Act in relation to the eligibility to serve as a director of a registered charity
• Be an active or retired (within the last five years) member of a senior national team in any of the canoe racing disciplines

In addition, the ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in serving on Not For Profit Boards of Directors
• A specific skill set or expertise that would be of benefit to the organization
• Knowledge of the Canadian sport system is an asset but not required
• Ability to commit approximately 10 – 15 hours per month to the work of the Board
• Willing and able to travel if necessary

This is a volunteer position with a two year term.

Interested candidates are required to complete the form below in order to be considered for the position.

Application form cane be found here.

Deadline for applications is midnight EST on Sept 5, 2022.

Please send applications to Chair of the CKC Nominating Committee, care of Kathy Hare by email to khare@canoekayak.ca

DAY 5

DAY 4

DAY 3

DAY 2

DAY 1

DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA (July 25, 2022) – Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC), Canoe ‘22 and the International Canoe Federation (ICF) are pleased to announce the official PaddleALL teams that will be competing at the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Both domestic and international athletes with intellectual disabilities will have the incredible opportunity to showcase their speed alongside the world’s most talented paddlers on Lake Banook.

Exhibition races are set to kick off on Thursday, August 4^th and will feature three Canadian teams from Ontario, Prince Edward Island and the host province of Nova Scotia. Joining them on the water will be two athletes from Team Germany – multi-medalists from the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

“We are so happy, excited and proud to bring many of our PaddleALL athletes to the World Championships in Dartmouth.  What an event it will be to watch,”said LA Schmidt, Special Olympics Assistant Coach & CKC Sprint Commodore. “PaddleALL communities across Canada will come together to show everyone their amazing talent as well as welcoming International athletes from Germany to race with us.”

CKC’s PaddleALL programming encourages athletes with intellectual disabilities to train and race to be their best in sport. PaddleALL will leave a legacy for future programming in Canada and continue to encourage athletes to strive to achieve their greatest potential in sport.

Representing Team Canada:

From Nova Scotia:

Emmett Burnie – Cheema Canoe Club

Matthew Casey – Cheema Canoe Club

Liam Conrad – Cheema Canoe Club

Payton Dicks – Cheema Canoe Club

Leighanne Porter Salvaterra – Senobe Aquatic Club

Milo Sankay – Cheema Aquatic Club

Victoria Scattolon – Senobe Aquatic Club

Sam Starr – Senobe Aquatic Club

Ashley Thomas – Cheema Aquatic Club

Xavier Tyler – Cheema Canoe Club

Drew Warkentin – Maskwa Aquatic Club

From Ontario:

 Jeffrey Campbell – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Darryl Clark – Carleton Place Canoe Club

Rachel Cohen – Pickering Rouge Canoe Club

Samuel Galazka – Rideau Canoe Club

Nathan Gillen – Pickering Rouge Canoe Club

Abigail Latour – Pickering Rouge Canoe Club

Annie Leonard – Burloak Canoe Club

Sarah Madore – Ottawa River Canoe Club

Melanie Manion – Ottawa River Canoe Club

Quinn Martin – Pickering Rouge Canoe Club

Gohulan Rajalingam – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Logan Ryan – Ottawa River Canoe Club

Stone Shearer – Peterborough Canoe and Kayak Club

Fletcher Sloan – Rideau Canoe Club

Kevin Tobin – Ottawa RiverCanoe Club

From Prince Edward Island

Alyssa Chapman – Brudenell Canoe Kayak Club

Representing Team Germany:

Sebastian Girke

Leona Johs

Inquiries can be directed to Kenna Robins Senior Manager, National Program Development krobins@canoekayak.ca or Jessica Kenney Project Manager, National Program Development jkenney@canoekayak.ca.
Visit Canoe Kayak Canada’s website to get more information and make sure to follow @PlanetCanoe and @CanoeKayakCAN for more live updates.

Subscribe to Canoe Kayak Canada’s mailing list to get all news and results directly to your email.

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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

It is with sadness, mixed with admiration for a long paddling life well lived, that Canoe Kayak Canada recognizes the passing of Alan McCleery.

Alan’s paddling journey began in Montreal in the 1940’s, paddling at the famed Grand Truck Paddling club on the St. Lawrence River. Here, he first experienced National level success winning his first CCA Championships in Junior Men’s C-4 in 1949, lifting the John W. Black Trophy as a twenty year old.

A dynamic partnership for Al began when he partnered with Loui Lukanovich, then a member of the Sudbury Canoe Club, for the 1956 trials at Rideau. They won the 10,000m race by a half a mile, and seemed set for an Olympic nomination however,  that same evening, Alan was advised Lou was not eligible to compete for Canada. He was 10 days away from the 5 year residency requirement.

In 1957, Lou and Al reunited in Montreal with their sights set on the 1960 Olympics, and both joined Cartierville Boating Club, as Grand Trunk was greatly impacted by the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and was closing down.

With both Al and Lou moving to Cartierville, the balance of power in Montreal area clubs moved with them, with an outstanding group of paddlers developing together through the 1950s on the Rivière des Prairies (Back River) in Montreal.

McCleery reached international success as part of the 1960 Olympic Team, putting to rest the disappointment of 1956 when they competed in Rome at Lago Albano with Lukanovich in the K2 1000m.

The partnership of McCleery & Lukanovich transitioned to an incredible coach and paddler duo at Cartierville where they were key pieces of the unprecedented, and still unmatched, dynasty of the Carterville Boating Club winning 8 consecutive National Championships Overall Burgees between 1958 and 1965.

Later, Al moved with his family to Ottawa, where he became a fixture at the Rideau Canoe Club training every morning in his classic green K1. Al continued to race masters through the 1980s and 1990s. Al and his wife Joan, would also make regular trips to Indian Harbour Beach Florida, where he would join the throngs of paddlers training on the Banana River, earning an international reputation for his endurance and commitment to a daily paddle through his stay at “training camp”.

Al had many incredible stories from his long career of paddling and was quick to share these with anyone who picked up a conversation with him. These stories included a remarkable first-hand account of a piece of canoe racing history. Through the early decades of the 20^th century, Double Bladed Fours were raced in a boat very similar to a Canadian C-4 we would know today in a high kneel position, with a long paddle used to take strokes on both sides. As a young paddler, Al was competing at an American Canoe Association Regatta in the Double Bladed Fours Crew at Sugar Island in the 1000 Islands on the St Lawrence River when an American crew paddled up to the start sitting in line in the middle of the boat. The crew took off on everyone in this new configuration, and a piece of North American paddling history was made.

He also was happy to share the story of him paddling along the shore in training for the Olympic Games in 1960 and looking up to see a figure all in white looking down at them along the shores of Lago Albano, and him realizing it was the Pope, whose country residence Castel Gandolfo was located directly on the lake.

Al was an incredible figure in our sport who inspired countless other paddlers as a coach, teammate, mentor or simply as the friendly kayaker who said good morning as he paddled by in his K1.

CKC wishes to offer our condolences to Alan’s family, his dear friend and K2 partner Lou Lukanovich, and all those who were friends of Al across the paddling community.

Al will continue to inspire many for years to come.

Read Alan McCleery’s Obituary with Funeral Details here.

OTTAWA, ON (July 6, 2022) – Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) is thrilled to announce the roster of sprint paddlers nominated to compete at the 2022 Junior and U23 World Championships and the Olympic Hopes Regatta.

The Junior and U23 World Championship team includes 12 athletes who were additionally named to the senior team, including U23 World Champion Sophia Jensen. Junior and U23 athletes will be heading to Szeged, Hungary from August 31^st to September 4^th vying for a coveted place on the podium while competing on the world stage.

“I am so excited to once again be a part of such an amazing group of athletes, congrats to all,” said Jensen. “As a team, let’s enjoy every moment, finish every race with no regrets and have fun in Hungary.”

The Olympic Hopes Regatta will take place only four days later, from September 8^th through 11^th, in Bratislava, Slovakia featuring Canada’s top U16 and U17 paddlers in an iconic event that showcases the next generation of Olympic talent.

Additional Olympic Hopes Regatta nominations will be made based on the National Championship rankings following that event taking place in Shawinigan, Quebec from August 23rd to 28^th.

Below are the nominated teams:

U23 World Championship

Men’s Kayak 

Alex Canning – Banook Canoe Club

Cameron Low – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Ian Gaudet – Banook Canoe Club

Men’s Canoe

Alix Plomteux – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac Beauport

Andrew Billard – Maskwa Aquatic Club

Tyler Laidlaw – Sack-a-Wa Canoe Club

Matthew O’Neill – Rideau Canoe Club

Women’s Kayak  

Maren Bradley – Rideau Canoe Club

Riley Melanson – Cheema Aquatic Club

Sarah Nagy – Richmond Hill Canoe Club

Toshka Besharah-Hrebacka  – Rideau Canoe Club

Women’s Canoe 

Jacy Grant – Cheema Aquatic Club

Julia Lilley Osende – Mic Mac Aquatic Canoe Club

Sloan Mackenzie – Cheema Aquatic Club

Sophia Jensen – Cascades

Junior (U18) World Championship 

Men’s Kayak 

Alex Erith-Ellwood – Senobe Aquatic Club

Carson Corey – Burloak Canoe Club

Eli Nowlan – Senobe Aquatic Club

Jérémy Lantz – Club de Canoë-Kayak de Vitesse de Trois Rivières

Men’s Canoe

Austin Pigeon – South Niagara Canoe Club

Peter Bradley – Rideau Canoe Club

Viktor Hardy – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac Beauport

Zachary Kralik – Mississauga Canoe Club

Women’s Kayak  

 Alina Tverie – Lachine Canoe Club

Charlotte Brais – Lachine Canoe Club

Eva Looper – Burloak Canoe Club

Florence Hamel – Lachine Canoe Club

Women’s Canoe 

 Elizabeth Desrosiers-McArthur – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac Beauport

Janina Winnicki – Rideau Canoe Club

Mila Souilliere  – Rideau Canoe Club

Ruby Muhl – Rideau Canoe Club

Zoe Wojtyk – Rideau Canoe Club

Olympic Hopes Regatta 

Men’s Kayak 

U17 

Carson Corey – Burloak Canoe Club

Thomas Beauregard  – Rideau Canoe Club

U16 

Adam Jonsson – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Carter Naugler – Cheema Aquatic Club

Men’s Canoe 

U17 

Nicholas Shirokov – Mississauga Canoe Club

Nikita Ciudin – Calgary Canoe Club

U16 

Alexander MacNeil – Maskwa Aquatic Club

Grayson Schrotter – Mississauga Canoe Club

Women’s Kayak

U17

Alina Tverie – Lachine Canoe Club

Brianna Smith – Maskwa Aquatic Club

Ivy Murphy – Banook Canoe Club

U16

Callie Loch – Rideau Canoe Club

Florence Hamel – Lachine Canoe Club

Women’s  Canoe

U16

Julia Price – Rideau Canoe Club

Ruby Muhl – Rideau Canoe Club

Visit Canoe Kayak Canada’s website to get more information and make sure to follow @PlanetCanoe and @CanoeKayakCAN for more live updates.

Subscribe to Canoe Kayak Canada’s mailing list to get all news and results directly to your email.

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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (July 5, 2022) – Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) is thrilled to announce the 2022 Canoe and Paracanoe Sprint Senior World Championship teams heading to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to compete at home against the most powerful paddlers on the planet.

Following a week of exciting racing at the National Team trials at the Olympic Basin, athletes were selected based on their combined performances at National Team Trials #1 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and the second set of trials held in Montreal from June 24-27.

The Canadian Canoe and Paracanoe Sprint team World Championship team will compete at Lake Banook in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia from August 3-7 with a strong contingent of medal potential paddlers and several Tokyo 2020 Olympians returning to competition, including hometown athlete, Connor Fitzpatrick.

“I am very excited to be racing a world championship event on my home lake,” said Fitzpatrick. “It’s been a dream to race at an international level competition on this lake and I am happy I will be part of it. Racing in front of a supportive Nova Scotia paddling community is going to be exciting for the entire city!”

The event program includes races in women’s, men’s, and paracanoe categories of canoe and kayak in single, doubles and quad boat races. A total of 32 different finals will be raced in 200, 500, 1000, and 5000 meter distances.

Olympic bronze medallist and 2021 World Champion, Katie Vincent will be on the start line in Dartmouth. At World Cup 2 in Poland earlier this season, Katie secured a gold medal in the new C4 500m event, silver in the C1 200m, 5km long distance event, and the C2 mixed 500m with partner Connor Fitzpatrick. She finished just off the podium in 4th place in the women’s C2 500m with Sloan Mackenzie.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be part of the home team this year at the World Championships on Lake Banook,” said Vincent. “I hope, as a whole team, we can carry the momentum from our successful World Cup tour and create some memories that will inspire the next generation of paddlers all across Canada!”

The Canadian Paracanoe Sprint team will feature 2 returning Tokyo Paralympians, including Mathieu St-Pierre, Brianna Hennessy, as well as Erica Scarff, who competed in the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. Six Paracanoe athletes will be making their international debut in Halifax, making it the largest contingent of Canadian Paracanoe paddlers qualified for World Championships.

“I am honoured to have been selected to represent Canada at the World Champs this year,” said Paralympian, Brianna Hennessy. “Canoe’22 is very near and dear to me, as we will be racing on home turf in Halifax, Nova Scotia! I am so excited to be part of welcoming countries through the spirit of sport, from all over the world, to Mi’kma’ki, the traditional and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people!”

The highly anticipated International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships (Canoe ’22) will be a landmark international event for Halifax Regional Municipality. “Not only is this a great opportunity to celebrate sport and our world class Canadian athletes but it’s also a chance for us all to reconnect with friends and neighbours in the spirit of celebrating and showcasing our beautiful community,” said Jill D’Alessio, Chair of the host society.

“It is an honour to be part of this team as we head out on our home course in the beautiful natural arena of Lake Banook in a few short weeks,” said Ian Mortimer, CKC Chief Technical Officer. “The community in Dartmouth, and the entire country, are ready to cheer on our athletes and I know our team will be looking to inspire the next generation of young paddlers and those who might want to take up the sport. It will be a special time in Nova Scotia.”

2022 SENIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

Men’s Kayak

Laurent Lavigne – Club de Canoë-Kayak de Vitesse de Trois Rivières

Cameron Low – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Nick Matveev – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Brian Malfesi – Ridge Canoe & Kayak Club

Simon McTavish – Mississauga Canoe Club

Pierre-Luc Poulin – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac-Beauport

Men’s Canoe

Édouard Beaumier – Club de Canoë-Kayak de Vitesse de Trois Rivières

Andrew Billard – Maskwa Aquatic Club

Peter Bradley – Rideau Canoe Club

Connor Fitzpatrick – Senobe Aquatic Club

Bret Himmelman – Maskwa Aquatic Club

Tyler Laidlaw – Sack-a-Wa Canoe Club

Alix Plomteux – Club de Canoë-Kayak Lac-Beauport

Matthew O’Neill – Rideau Canoe Club

Craig Spence – Cheema Aquatic Club

Women’s Kayak

Toshka Besharah-Hrebacka – Rideau Canoe Club

Natalie Davison – Rideau Canoe Club

Andréanne Langlois – Club de Canoë-Kayak de Vitesse de Trois Rivières

Riley Melanson – Cheema Aquatic Club

Michelle Russell – Cheema Aquatic Club

Madeline Schmidt – Rideau Canoe Club

Courtney Stott – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Women’s Canoe

Jacy Grant – Cheema Aquatic Club

Sophia Jensen – Cascades

Sloan MacKenzie – Cheema Aquatic Club

Julia Lilley Osende – Mic Mac Aquatic Canoe Club

Katie Vincent – Mississauga Canoe Club

Men’s Paracanoe

Yves Bourque – Club de canotage du Shawinigan

Benjamin Brown – Maskwa Aquatic Club

Gabriel Ferron-Bouius – Rideau Canoe Club

Miguel Garcia Sanchez – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Stefan Samolia – Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Mathieu St-Pierre – Club de canotage du Shawinigan

Dave Waters – Maskwa Canoe Club

Women’s Paracanoe

Brianna Hennessy – Ottawa River Canoe Club

Erica Scarff – Mississauga Canoe Club

For more information on Canoe ‘22, click here.

Visit Canoe Kayak Canada’s website to get more information and make sure to follow @PlanetCanoe and @CanoeKayakCAN for more live updates.

Subscribe to Canoe Kayak Canada’s mailing list to get all news and results directly to your email.

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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

THE CAMPAIGN

Coaches are an integral part of an athlete’s journey through sport. Unfortunately, women coaches are under-represented in club coaching roles that work with older performance athletes, Provincial/Territorial coaching positions and within CKC’s technical leadership team. We want to change that. Representation and role models are integral to retaining women who are already in the field. Gaining valuable and performance-oriented experience is a gap for many women coaches in our CKC system.   As Canadian Women & Sport has laid out, coaches are the most visible and influential leaders in sport – they shape the day-to-day lived experiences of participants and influence the growth and development of sport.

To address these gaps and to bring long term benefits that equal representation within coaching offers, CKC continues to support specific apprentice coach roles for women coaches at international competitions to gain valuable experience. CKC is also committed to filling roles in its technical leadership team with qualified women coaches with the long-term goal of a gender-balanced coaching staff.

                               Make a Donation Here

THE GOAL

Our goal is to raise $15,000 to support three women coaches to participate as apprentice coaches at key international competitions in 2022, including U23 Junior Worlds and the Olympic Hopes Regatta. These opportunities allow coaches to gain experience at the international level and bring a key element of representation to our technical leadership team.

The funds will also be used to support women coaches who are transitioning into our technical leadership team as positions become available.  These efforts align with our long-term goal of a gender-balanced technical leadership team.

Thanks to a very generous anonymous donor, all donations will be matched 100% up to $5,000.  

THE DETAILS

• Every $1 raised will be matched 1:1 up to $5,000
• Funds raised as a result of this campaign will go directly towards supporting at least three women canoe coaches with a professional development grant
• Contributions to the campaign over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt (please note that receipts will be issued post campaign)

                                                         

ABOUT CKC’S PHILANTHROPIC INITIATIVES

Paddling is for all Canadians, whether they paddle for the leaf or for the sport.

We must continue our legacy – to ensure that paddling is available to everyone across our land so that they can experience our country in a way like no other. Paddling connects us to our history. But we’re at risk of not being able to pass down its rich tradition.

There is a crisis in sport funding in Canada. One of the major barriers in access to, promotion of, and programming in paddling is a lack of funding. But thanks to the generosity of Canadians, we can continue supporting paddling at all levels and disciplines within the sport. You can help us build paddling in Canada by making a tax-deductible charitable gift.

For the sport. For the leaf.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA (May 20, 2022) – Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC), Canoe ‘22 and the International Canoe Federation (ICF) are pleased to host PaddleALL exhibition races during the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. CKC’s PaddleALL programming encourages athletes with intellectual disabilities to train and race to be their best in sport.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming PaddleALL competitors for the first time ever at an ICF World Championship event,” said Kenna Robins, CKC’s Senior Manager of National Program Development. “Paddling is truly a sport for everyone and we are very proud and excited to be able to showcase these deserving athletes at this world-class event later this summer.”

The official launch of PaddleALL programming will not only leave a legacy for the future of PaddleALL programming in Canada, it will also contribute to the global goal of inclusivity within the sport of paddling.

“This project dovetails with ICF’s desire to promote canoeing as a fully inclusive sport as exemplified by our recent signing of an agreement with Special O International to promote the development of canoeing in the Special O World Games,” said ICF Paracanoe Committee Chair, John Edwards.

The exhibition races will kick off on Thursday, August 4^th around midday and will be open to international and domestic entries.

“Canoe ’22 is proud to see the PaddleALL event included in the ICF World Championships,” said Canoe ’22 Host Society Chair, Jill D’Alessio. “Providing high-quality training and competition opportunities to all athletes, regardless of ability, is so important for the growth of this sport and for the paddling community.”

Stay tuned for registration details coming soon.

Any questions or comments can be directed to Kenna Robins Senior Manager, National Program Development krobins@canoekayak.ca or Jessica Kenney Project Manager, National Program Development jkenney@canoekayak.ca

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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother
Communications Coordinator
enother@canoekayak.ca

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, ON (May 10, 2022) – Canada’s top slalom paddlers raced last weekend at the National Team Trials and Pan American Championships from May 6-8 in Oklahoma City, USA.

The trials, hosted by the American Canoe Association, served as a selection event for all of the ICF Slalom World Cups, Senior, U23 and Junior World Championships being held over the course of the summer.

“I’m excited to welcome our veterans back and also to see some new paddlers join our program this summer to race the world cups and world championships,” said James Cartwright, Senior High Performance Manager. “We have a very busy season ahead and our team is very motivated to return to a full season of international racing after a tough few years in a pandemic.”

There are many familiar names returning to the international circuit including Tokyo Olympian, Florence Maheu from Kayak Valleyfield, QC.

“I am definitely excited to get back to racing,” said Maheu. “I needed to reset after the Olympics in July which meant that I decided not to compete in World Championships. I feel ready to tackle the season ahead and looking forward to next steps towards 2024 Olympic selection.”

The ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup circuit begins on June 10 in Prague, Czech Republic.

You can find the list of events at Canoe Kayak Canada. 

2022 CKC Slalom International Teams

To view the full list of results from National Team Trials, click here.

Visit Canoe Kayak Canada’s website to get more information and make sure to follow @CanoeKayakCAN for social updates.

Subscribe to Canoe Kayak Canada’s mailing list to get all news and results directly to your email.

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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother
Communications Coordinator
enother@canoekayak.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA (May 9, 2022) – Over 100 sprint paddlers from across Canada competed in the first set of National Team Trials from May 2-5 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia last week. The regatta was held on iconic Lake Banook, home of the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. Lake Banook also serves as a home base for three Atlantic Division Canoe Kayak Clubs – Banook Canoe Club, Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club and Senobe Aquatic Club.

The trials, hosted by the Atlantic Division of Canoe Kayak Canada (ADCKC), served as a selection regatta for the ICF Sprint World Cup Racice, ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup and Para World Cup Poznan events being held later this month.

“Team Trials on Lake Banook were a fantastic way to kick of our competitive Sprint Racing season with races on the course which will host the World in August,” said Chief Technical Officer, Ian Mortimer. “As we begin the push to Paris it was very promising to see strong paddling from new and veteran senior athletes within our team.”

Eight Olympic and Paralympic paddlers from Tokyo were selected to the team, including 2020 Olympic bronze medallist Katie Vincent.

“It was really nice to start off the season last week on Lake Banook,” said Vincent. “Though it was a lot colder than Tokyo, there was a lot of world-class paddling coming from our team. It was an excellent start to our road to Paris and I am looking forward to the World Championships coming to Dartmouth this August. It’s going to be incredible to have the support of our local paddling community cheering for us this summer on Canadian waters. I get chills just thinking about it.”

The ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup circuit begins on May 20-22 in Racice, Czech Republic followed by ICF Para Canoe and Canoe Sprint World Cup in Poznan, Poland from May 26-29.

2022 Sprint World Cup Team

Para                                                                                                Club

Women’s Canoe                                                                            Club

Men’s Canoe                                                                                  Club

Women’s Kayak                                                                            Club

Men’s Kayak                                                                                  Club

To view the full list of results from NTT1, click here.

Visit Canoe Kayak Canada’s website to get more information and make sure to follow @CanoeKayakCAN for social updates.

Subscribe to Canoe Kayak Canada’s mailing list to get all news and results directly to your email.

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.

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For more information:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother
Communications Coordinator
enother@canoekayak.ca

CKC Alumni Council Member ProfileEN