Regina hosts 2025 Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships

WATCH: Almost 900 athletes from across Canada are in Regina for the 2025 Canoe Kayak Canada National Championships. Brittany Poitras reports.

Wascana Lake has become a temporary hub for water sports, as athletes from across the country descend on Regina for the 2025 Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships.

The event has attracted nearly 900 competitors representing 39 different clubs from across Canada. The week-long event showcases the nation’s top paddlers, all competing for a spot on Canada’s national team.

Among them is Regina’s Eve Wilson, who has already earned her spot on the national team and will compete next month in Czechia as a member of Canada’s U16 Kayak team.

The Regina local says that she’s enjoying competing on home turf.

“It feels really good because I love not having to just do [the] time difference and being able to sleep [in] my own bed,” she explained. ”But it’s also kind of weird because [it’s] harder to get into race mentality when I’m in the place I paddle every day.”

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Wilson, who began racing at just 11 years old, says she’s been on the podium at nationals since the age of 14, and recently competed at the Canada Games for Team Saskatchewan.

“I did okay. It was hard competition. It was 21 and under, and I was one of the only life jackets in the race and life jackets are U16,” she said.

Coming back to Saskatchewan, she says the weather on the water was ideal.

“This is like probably the best weather we could have asked for,” Wilson noted. “A couple days ago, it was 60 km/h gusts in a direct crosswind. So, I’m pretty happy with it.”

The competition includes athletes from 16 and under to senior categories, with many races serving as a trial for future national teams, including the Olympics.

“What we have here is the best paddlers in Canada,” explained Robert Cary, who serves as the co-chair of the competition. “These are national team athletes, including athletes who want to be national team athletes, and are practicing and working hard to become national team athletes. Of course, they could be Olympic athletes.”

The weeklong event requires nearly 800 volunteers, who signed up to make sure there was smooth sailing. The competition has also brought in fans from far and wide.

“We came up from Las Vegas to watch them in the races because they’re darling grandchildren. We love them dearly, and we’re so proud of them.” Vanjie Ledger, who has two grandchildren in the competition, told CTV News.

For competitors like Scarlett Larsen, the weather and the water in Regina has been welcoming.

“I’ve raced here before, and I’m really liking it today. Usually there’s a bit of a side wind. Today it’s, nice and calm on the lake.”

Larsen competed in the 200 metre and 500 metre races today, in hopes to join the ranks of national team members like Eve Wilson, who excitedly awaits her international debut.

“I am so excited. I think it’s the coolest thing ever,” Wilson shared. “I never thought that I would get to represent Team Canada, especially at this young of age. I’m very excited to think it’s going to be an awesome experience.”

Racers hope to paddle their way to the podium at the week-long championship event, with some competitors sure to emerge one step closer to achieving their Olympic dreams.