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