Ottawa’s waterways are about to host the biggest event on Canada’s competitive paddling calendar. A true spectacle to behold, the 2026 Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships run August 25–29 at beautiful Mooney’s Bay, hosted jointly by Canoe Kayak Canada and our own Rideau Canoe Club (RCC). The Canadian Masters National Championships (CanMas) follow immediately after on August 30.
What to Expect
More than 1,200 athletes are set to compete, alongside coaches, officials, and spectators travelling in from across Canada. The six-day championship spans multiple disciplines of sprint paddling — youth, senior, masters, paracanoe, and PaddleAll racing — making it as much a showcase of inclusion as it is of elite competition.
Athletes from 41 clubs will race at Mooney’s Bay, with more than 500 races taking place across every age category. The Rideau Canoe Club alone is sending over 120 athletes, with entries in nearly every event on the schedule.
A New Course on the Bay
Racing takes place on RCC’s impressive newly constructed course. One kilometre long and roughly 81 metres wide it is now the centerpiece of Mooney’s Bay. Competitions run every morning and afternoon throughout the week, and spectators are welcome to attend for free.
Why Ottawa
Canoe Kayak Canada’s Director of National Program Development, Kenna Robins, said the organization is excited to return to Ottawa, calling it a highlight of the year for the sprint racing community and thanking the Host Organizing Committee, RCC staff, board, and volunteers for their work bringing the event together.
Marielle Hawkes, Chair of the Host Organizing Committee, echoed that sentiment, pointing to strong local support from volunteers and partners as central to pulling off a championship of this scale.
The event is supported by Ottawa Tourism and the Government of Ontario’s Sport Hosting Program, both of which help bring national-calibre sporting events to the city — putting Ottawa’s paddling heritage and waterways on display for a national audience.
Championships at a Glance
- Aug. 25–29 — Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships
- Aug. 30 — Canadian Masters National Championships (CanMas)
- Where — Mooney’s Bay, Ottawa
- Cost — Free for spectators
- Athletes — 1,200+ from 41 clubs
- Races — 500+ across all age categories
For full schedules, volunteer opportunities, and event updates, visit sprintnationals.canoekayak.ca.
