GUALEGUAYCHÚ, Argentina (October 25, 2026) – Team Canada wrapped up the 2026 Canoe Marathon Masters World Championships, Canoe Marathon World Championships and COPAC Canoe Marathon Pan American Championships with an impressive collection of podium finishes across paracanoe, junior, senior and Masters competition. Held in Gualeguaychú, Argentina, the events brought together athletes from across the Americas and around the world for a week of challenging racing.
Canada’s Masters paddlers delivered several standout performances, led by Hugh Fisher, a decorated Canadian Olympian and world champion who added three medals to his remarkable paddling résumé. Fisher captured gold in the men’s K1 70–74 with a time of 1:15:31, teamed up with Margaret Bohm to win gold in the mixed K2 65+ in 37:18, and partnered with Johan Dahl to earn bronze in the men’s K2 65–69 in 1:09:53. Vadim Lawrence and Tomas Jezek also reached the top of the podium at the Marathon Masters, earning gold in the men’s K2 50–54 in 1:22:37.
At the World Championships, paracanoe athlete Mathieu St-Pierre successfully defended his world title, capturing gold in the men’s VL2 event with a time of 1:06:31 after winning gold at the 2025 Canoe Marathon World Championships in Győr, Hungary.
Lyne Tremblay added two medals to Canada’s tally, earning silver in the women’s KL1 event in 56:58 and bronze in the women’s VL1 event in 1:06:20. Following her two bronze medals at the 2025 Marathon World Championships, Tremblay once again demonstrated her strength on the international stage.
Canada’s junior athletes also made their mark at the World Championships. Victoria Tran won silver in the women’s C1 junior event in 1:02:07, while Matthew Brown claimed bronze in the men’s C1 junior event in 56:52.
Canadian athletes added four additional medals at the COPAC Canoe Marathon Pan American Championships in the senior short-race finals. Tran captured gold in the women’s C1 senior short race in 15:29, while Brown earned gold in the men’s C1 senior short race, also finishing in 15:29. Bret Himmelman joined Brown on the podium with silver in the men’s C1 senior short race in 14:48. Julien Turpin landed a Bronze in the K1 Men Junior with a time of 01:46:37
The quad also competed in the marathon events at the World Championships, with Tran finishing fifth, Brown placing 10th, Himmelman finishing 13th and Turpin finishing 22nd in their respective categories.
Beyond the results, the events highlighted the dedication and teamwork that make international competition possible. Canoe Kayak Canada extends a sincere thank you to the coaches, team officials and everyone supporting the athletes on the ground in Argentina. Their hard work, adaptability and positive energy were especially appreciated as the team navigated challenging, stormy weather throughout the competition.
Congratulations to all Canadian athletes, coaches and support staff on their performances and contributions in Argentina!
Full results are available below: