The 2026 Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships are taking place at the Rideau Canoe Club near Mooney’s Bay this weekend. More than 1,200 athletes from across Canada are racing in about 500 different races, including a 200 metre, 500 metre, 1,000 metre and a six kilometre. Forty-one clubs from coast to coast are participating, including one from the Yukon. “This national championship in particular is just a really inclusive event. Along with all of our age category athletes we also have special low and para-athletes that are competing in different categories and also earning points for their clubs and just really integrated into the event very seamlessly,” said Marielle Hawkes, organizing committee chair of the championship. Eighteen-year-old Isabel Lowry from Ottawa is a five-time world champion but says racing on familiar waters is the best part of competing. “I did my U12 championships here, but now we’re here for nationals, so that’s really cool,” said Lowry. Lowry’s started paddling when she was about 10 years old and has been competing since she was 12. She says nationals is always a great way to cap off the season. “Going fast, racing well, that’s the goal. I’m going to have fun today too. It’s awesome,” said Lowry. “I’m kind of excited to throw down some pretty fast times. Hopefully, have fun with it too because that’s the most important part.” The event is powered by hundreds of coaches and officials and about 100 volunteers. “It’s really exciting. Carleton Place has been the longest standing canoe club in the whole country, established in 1893. It’s really exciting to have it close to home,” said Pat Lester, head coach at the Carleton Place Canoe Club. “It is obviously a really big event and our athletes are doing really well. A lot of excitement and fun times.” Alex MacNeil has been paddling for eight years and won the John W. Black race on Saturday, coming with the largest trophy in amateur sports in Canada. “It’s really the biggest thing at nationals. Me and my teammates over at my squad, we’ve just put so much hard work into this and to see it come together and get the win just means so much to me,” he said. Some of them are vying for a spot to represent Canada in the Olympics. Many of them have already been to Junior World Championships. National winning teams will be crowned Saturday night, while the Canadian Master takes place Sunday. The event is free to attend.
