2026 CORA Cup Race Series

Ron Chin Leave a comment

UPDATE April 2026:
CORA Cup points will be awarded to crews registered in the UL division regardless of type of canoe.
The CORA had several enquiries about situations where a crew raced the season in ULs but could not get a UL for one of their qualifying races (ie Nationals, which is a required race).
The Board decided that a Spec registered in the UL division would allow a crew to earn CORA Cup points for that race.
This would be be most relevant for scenarios where a crew is the only crew vying for the CORA Cup in their age category and just needs to complete that race. It is not expected that a crew would register a Spec in the UL division for more than one race.
Reminder that Unlimited (UL) division canoes are any canoe under 400lbs, including, unweighted Bradleys, Matahinas and any of the ultralights such as Malolos, Vortexes and Hydras.

Changes to the CORA Cup OC6 Race Series for 2026:
• the overall CORA Cup to the Member Club with the most points has been eliminated;
• while Spec canoes remain a canoe class under the CORA Long Distance Race Rules, OC6 crews racing Spec canoes in the CORA Cup Race Series will not accrue CORA Cup points;
• only OC6 crews registered in the Unlimited division will accrue CORA Cup points in their respective divisions and age classifications;
• Keiki (16) and Junior (19) OC6 crews will continue to pay no race registration fee (CORA will reimburse host clubs);
• the Junior and Novice Paddle Draw has been eliminated; and
• the Draw Prize Grant for host clubs has been eliminated.


There are FIVE OC6 races in the 2026 CORA Cup Race Series:

  1. Duel in the Desert – May 16, 2026
  2. Jericho Iron Classic – May 23, 2026
  3. Island Iron (Victoria) – June 6, 2026
  4. Lotus Iron – July 25, 2026
  5. CORA National Championships (Fort Langley) – September 19, 2026

OC6 crews must participate in a minimum of 3 of the 5 events (including Nationals) to qualify.

Full rules are HERE.

Hugh Fisher Formally Recognized As 2025 Hugh Town Builder Award Recipient

Graeme Galves Leave a comment

Hugh Fisher was oifficially recognized as the 2025 Hugh Town Builder Award Recipient at the 2025 CORA AGM. However, Hugh Fisher and MI6 were away at the Cook Islands Vaka Eiva event at the time.

CORA was able to coordinate a formal presentation as per the Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award Policy at the 2026 Jericho Iron Classic.

The CORA Awards Committee wishes to extend a round of appreciation to Jan Chavarie (2022 Hugh Town Builder Award Recipient) and Jericho Paddling Club for offering time on the 2026 Jericho Iron Classic agenda, to Don Mulhall (2021 Hugh Town Builder Award Recipient) for taking the time to have his hair coiffured and making the presentation of the Trophy to Hugh Fisher, to the MI6 crew for delaying their pre-race warmup so that the presentation could proceed with decorum, and to the attendees who sent in photos of the presentation. CORA wishes to thank Hugh Fisher for his lifetime of contributions to paddlesports and to congratulate him as the 2025 Hugh Town Builder Award Recipient.

Saskajack ’26, Edmonton, AB – June 6 & 7, 2026

Ron Chin Leave a comment

East Bound and Down – June 6, 2026
Our version the iconic 31 mile Chattajack race through the Tennessee River gorge. Beginning in Devon, Alberta, the multi-craft race course takes you approximately 45km through the beautiful Edmonton river valley, past downtown Edmonton, and ending at the world class Edmonton Dragonboat Racing Club.
Registration fees: $50 / paddler (solo $50, OC2 $100, OC6 $300)
Registration Here – Closes Friday June 4, 2026.
After registering, you will receive an email with payment details.

Rip Up the River – June 7, 2026
You had it easy going downstream yesterday… today it’s time to grind it out on the treadmill. Starting from the Edmonton Dragonboat Racing club, this multi-craft race course goes 5 km up the river into downtown Edmonton, makes a turn at the High Level Bridge (the 6th bridge you go under) and boots it back to the start dock. Don’t let the distance fool you, this is a tough one. It will test your physical and mental endurance, ability to read the water, wind and currents under everchanging conditions… along with your will to live. Keep repeating your mantra- “almost there, keep going, don’t stop” while taking in the cityscape and putting up with every joker floating down the river yelling “it’s easier going the other way!”. If you don’t want to do the full 10k return trip, there is a 5k option you baby. 
Registration fees: $50 / paddler (solo $50, OC2 $100, OC6 $300)
Registration Here – Closes Saturday, June 4, 2026.
After registering, you will receive an email with payment details.

CORA Membership required. Join Here.

More Saskajack information, including race day schedule, race rules and regulations HERE.

Island Iron, Victoria, BC – June 6 & 7, 2026

Ron Chin Leave a comment

Island Iron (Cadboro Bay edition) is one of the prettiest and most challenging races on the CORA Cup circuit! Launching from Cadboro Bay, OC6 Races are on Saturday, June 6th with a short course of 7 km and a long course of 17 to 18km. The Cadborosaurus Chase small boat race is Sunday, June 7. 
OC6 registration closes May 30. Small boat registration closes Jun 4.

Here are the webscorer links to register your team. Pre-race safety meetings 30 minutes before each race start:

OC6 – Short Course (June 6, 9:30 a.m.)

OC6 – All Women/Mixed 50+ (June 6, 11:00 a.m.)

OC6 – All Men/Mixed Open and 40+ (June 6, 1:00 p.m.)

Small boat (Sunday, June 7, 10:00 a.m.)

Race fees:  $180 per crew for short course (19 and under race free!) and $240 per crew for long course.  $36 per paddler for small boats.

CORA Membership required. Join Here.