Event hosting has a big impact. Events generate excitement and interest in the sport. They also have a major economic impact and can leave a significant legacy of sport infrastructure to be enjoyed for generations to come. Canoe Kayak Canada regularly works with host organizing committees and venue partners to host an array of national and international events.
National Events
Sprint National Championships
The Championships regularly attract over 1000 athletes from more than 40 clubs across Canada, making it CKC’s largest event. A 2011 study showed the Championships created an economic impact of $3.4 million for the local economy.
As per the Sprint Racing Discipline Competition Rule Book (rule 5.01), the Championships shall be held each year on a date, and at a site, upon recommendation of the Domestic Development Committee, approved by the Members at the Annual Meeting of the Sprint Racing Discipline two (2) years preceding the event.
The site selection will be based on the following rotation for 2023-2027 (due to COVID implications): Atlantic, WOD, Prairie/Pacific, EOD, Atlantic; then we will resume the regular rotation beginning in 2028: WOD, Quebec, Prairie/Pacific, EOD, Atlantic. This rotation will be subject to change if approved by the Members at the Annual Meeting of the Sprint Racing Discipline three years in advance of said event being voted upon.
Rotation:
2023 Dartmouth (awarded)
2024 Welland (awarded)
2025 Prairie/Pacific Division
2026 Eastern Ontario Division
2027 Atlantic Division
2028 Western Ontario Division
2029 Quebec Division
2030 Prairie/Pacific Division
2031 Eastern Ontario Division
2032 Atlantic Division
Application for Hosting:
Based on the rotation above, 3 years prior to the hosting of the championships, the CKC Staff lead will reach out to the respective Division to initiate the process. The Division must submit their chosen site (which must confirm with the minimum course and facility requirements as determined by the Nationals Technical Package
It is up to the Division to review prospective sites to determine best location to represent the Division.
Working with the CKC staff lead, the Division will select the ideal site, the proposal will be reviewed and approved by the DDC and presented at the Annual Meeting of Sprint Members to be voted on.
Nationals Technical Package – to request a copy of the National Technical Package, please email development@canoekayak.ca
Canada Cup
The Canada Cup draws approximately 300 competing athletes from club, provincial, national, and international teams. The two-day event is aimed at exposing athletes in the train-to-compete stage of the Long Term Athlete Development model to high-level domestic competitions in Canada.
Sprint National Team Trials
Typically 2-3 sets of trials are held each year to select the top sprint athletes for National Teams. The host venues are selected by National Team staff based on the needs of the High Performance program for the specific year. Host venues are considered during the fall High Performance planning sessions and are evaluated based on practicality, course standard and budgetary considerations.
Past hosts: Montréal, Dartmouth, Welland, Lake Lanier (USA)
Whitewater National Championships
The Championships take place annually and attract approximately 100 athletes from across Canada. There is a typical yearly rotation between Eastern and Western Canada which is offset with the hosting of Slalom National Team Trials. Host organizing committees make proposals to the Whitewater Council about a year before the event.
Past hosts:
- Madawaska Kanu Centre (ON)
- Kananaskis, AB
- Chilliwack, BC
- Ottawa, ON ” onload=”closed”]
Canoe Slalom National Team Trials
These trials are held each year to select the top slalom athletes for National Teams. Approximately 50 athletes compete. With a typical rotation between Eastern and Western Canada, proposals from host organizing committees are made to the Canoe Slalom High Performance Committee. The committee reviews the proposals and advises the Whitewater Council which makes the final decision.
Past hosts:
- Minden, ON
- Chilliwack, BC
- Rutherford, BC
- Charlotte, NC, USA ” onload=”closed”]
Coaches Conference
Canoe Kayak Canada hosts this conference to further coach education and technical leadership by bringing in a lineup of speakers who are experts in their fields. Approximately 60 coaches representing clubs, provincial teams and the national team attend. The conference is often coordinated to coincide with CKC’s Annual Meeting of Members or another Coach Conference. Recently CKC has been partnering with a Provincial Paddling Association to host this conference in the region where the provincial partner operates.
International Events
Canada has been host to some very successful international events for both the International Canoe Federation and the Pan American Canoe Federation (COPAC). For the ICF and COPAC bidding process, the National Federation (CKC) must endorse and submit the bid on behalf of a host organizing committee. There is a schedule of when each event to be voted on at an annual Congress. World Cups are usually decided upon 2 year’s out while World Championships are decided 4 years out.
Information on Hosting an ICF Event
Notable International Events hosted in Canada
- 2015 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships (Beachburg, ON)
- 2013 ICF Canoe Sprint Junior and U23 World Championships (Welland, ON)
- 2011 ICF Dragon Boat Club Crew World Championships (Toronto, ON)
- 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championship (Dartmouth, NS)
- 2008 Pan American Sprint Championships and Continental Olympic Qualifier (Montreal, QC)
- 2007 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships (Ottawa Valley, ON)
- 2000 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships (Dartmouth, NS)
- 1997 World Canoe Championships (Dartmouth, NS)
- 1989 World Junior Canoe Championships (Dartmouth, NS)
- 1986 World Canoe Championships (Montreal, QC)
Hosting Resources
Visa Information for Event Hosts (Citizenship and Immigration Canada)