Photo: Pascale Toupin

WELLAND, ONTARIO (August 22, 2017) – The toughest part about racing at the Canadian Sprint Canoe Kayak Championships today wasn’t necessarily the other paddlers, it was the swirling winds of up to 50 km/hr that made navigating the Welland International Flatwater Centre extremely difficult.

More than 1,000 athletes from 43 different clubs across the country have gathered in southern Ontario for five days of intense competition. A jam-packed race schedule on Day 1 featured the individual C-1 and K-1 races at three different distances: 200m, 500m, and 6,000m. Through 68 heats and 32 finals, athletes showed tremendous perseverance and determination to battle the weather conditions.

“It’s very difficult to manage winds like today’s,” said Mark Granger, Canoe Kayak Canada’s National Development Coach. “It takes incredible concentration, but above all it takes mental strength. It’s a pity to have such tough conditions at the Canadian championships, but it’s part of the sport, and the athletes have to be prepared for that.”

Granger noted that it’s particularly challenging for canoers to steer their boats when the winds are blowing so strongly from one side. “Just keeping your canoe inside the lane markers on a day like today is a huge challenge, so they all deserve a lot of credit for that,” he added.

Photo: Pascale Toupin

“It’s pretty windy and gusty out there,” said Jenna Neate from the Burloak Canoe Club after winning the Women’s K1 6000m race. “There are parts where there is no wind and then all of a sudden it hits you hard from the side, but as long as you fight trough it, don’t let it take control of you paddle and know how to use your strength when there is wind it’s all good,” she happily said after the race.

Singles competition continues on Day 2 with 500m and 1,000m races.

For the first time ever, the entire National Sprint Championships are being live streamed on the Internet. Paddling fans can also receive up-to-date race results on their mobile device through the immediaC mobile app available through the App Store.

For full competition results, visit the Canoe Kayak Canada website.

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 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:
Joannie Verret
Communications Coordinator
jverret@canoekayak.ca
(418) 271-3785