Join Canoe Kayak Canada in Ottawa this November for four days of connection, learning and collaboration as we bring together coaches, leaders and members of the paddling community to share ideas, celebrate our sport and help shape the future of canoe and kayak in Canada.
The theme of this year’s in-person Summit is “From First Strokes to Full Speed,” reflecting the many people, programs and communities that help paddlers progress at every stage of their journey, from getting on the water for the first time to reaching the highest levels of competition. The Summit is an opportunity to bring those people together, learn from one another, celebrate the work happening across our sport, and look toward what comes next.
The CKC Summit includes the Coaching Symposium (November 19–20) and Leadership Summit (November 21–22), with opportunities to register for either event or join us for both.
Please register at the link below for either Coaching Symposium, the Leadership Summit or both.
Air Canada Travel Discounts
Air Canada is offering special fares for Summit attendees travelling to and from Ottawa (YOW).
The Coaching Symposium brings coaches from across Canada together for two days of learning, connection, and professional development.
The program will feature:
Whether you’re introducing someone to their first strokes or supporting athletes preparing for international competition, the Symposium will offer practical tools, fresh perspectives, and meaningful connections to help strengthen your coaching practice.
Dr. Bradley Young of the University of Ottawa will deliver the keynote, exploring self-regulated learning and the psychology of practice. Craig Morris, Paddle UK Olympic Coach, will join us live online to share lessons from his coaching career, including his experience guiding British Canoe Slalom athletes to Olympic medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
Maskwa Head Coach Christian Hall will lead a workshop on developing U12–U14 programming. Coaches will also participate in a practical session focused on skill acquisition and technical development, alongside a dedicated Paracanoe workshop.
| Date | Time of Day | Topic | Speaker / Facilitator |
| Thursday, November 19th | 8:30 – 9:00 | Welcome | Casey Wade, CEO; Ian Mortimer, CTO |
|
9:00 – 10:30 |
Keynote: Developing Self-Regulating Athletes and Problem Solvers | Dr. Bradley Young, University of Ottawa | |
|
10:30 – 11:00 |
Networking break | ||
|
11:00 – 12:30 |
Structured learning environments: Applying skill acquisition and motor learning in your daily training | Dr. Stuart Wilson, Wilfred Laurier University | |
|
12:30 – 1:30 |
Lunch (Provided) | ||
|
1:30 – 3:00 |
Building U12/U14 program | Christian Hall, Head Coach Maskwa | |
|
3:00 – 3:15 |
Networking break | ||
|
3:15 – 4:45 |
Craig Morris: Developing Adaptable Athletes | Craig Morris, Olympic Coach Paddle UK | |
| Friday, November 20th | 8:30 – 11:30 | Rideau Canoe Club Practical Activity Kayak and Kayak Erg demonstrations, Para Canoe Classification and Equipment modifications |
Peter Niedre, Nancy Botting, TBD |
| 12:00 – 1:30 | Lunch (Provided) | ||
| 1:30 – 4:30 | From first strokes to full speed: Coaching the 500m program | Ian Mortimer, CTO; Leo Thornley, Director Performance Sciences; KC Dalton, National Development Coach; Peter Niedre | |
| 6:30 – 9:30 | Coach Celebration Dinner (included) | ||
More to come!
The Leadership Summit will bring together leaders from across the Canadian paddling community to tackle shared challenges, explore new opportunities, and help shape the future of our sport. Through facilitated workshops and collaborative discussions, participants will look beyond day-to-day operations to consider how we can build a stronger, more connected, and sustainable paddling system from coast to coast to coast.
Sessions will focus on growing participation and building stronger clubs, working with partners to strengthen the development pathway, and advancing greater alignment across the Canadian paddling system. Together, these conversations will help identify key priorities, strengthen collaboration, and turn shared goals into meaningful progress for clubs, athletes, coaches, and the broader paddling community.
The Leadership Summit is an opportunity to contribute to the bigger picture, exchange perspectives with leaders from across the sport, and help set priorities for Canadian paddling in the years ahead. More details about the program will be shared as planning continues.
| Date | Time | Topic | Speaker / Facilitator | |
| Saturday, November 21st | 8:30 – 9:30 | Welcome
Opening Plenary |
Casey Wade, CEO, Warren Hastings, President, Jane Van Ryn and Monica Lockie (Sheffe Consulting) | |
| 9:30 – 10:30 | Keynote Speaker – State of Sport 2026 | Dr. Ann Pegoraro, PhD | ||
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Networking Break | |||
| 11:00 – 12:15 | FIRST STROKES
Building the Base
|
Facilitated by: Jane Van Ryn Monica Lockie |
||
| 12:15 – 1:15 | Lunch (provided) | |||
| 1:15 – 2:30 | FIRST STROKES
Building the Base – Part 2 |
Facilitated by: Jane Van Ryn Monica Lockie |
||
| 2:30 – 3:00 | Networking Break | |||
| 3:00 – 5:00 | GAINING SPEED
Strengthening the Pathway
|
Facilitated by: Jane Van Ryn Monica Lockie |
||
| 6:30 – 10:00 | Year End Celebration Reception (provided)
Alumni Auction |
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| Sunday, November 22nd | 9:00 – 9:45 | FULL SPEED
From Pathway to the System |
|
|
| 9:45 – 11:00 | FULL SPEED
Strengthening the System
|
Facilitated by: Cheryl Humphrey (Sport Law) Jane Van Ryn Monica Lockie |
||
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Networking Break | |||
| 11:30 – 12:45 | FULL SPEED
Strengthening the System – Part 2 |
Facilitated by: Cheryl Humphrey Jane Van Ryn Monica Lockie |
||
| 12:45 – 1:00 | Closing Remarks | |||
| 1:00 | Lunch (provided)
Departures |
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More to come!