Canadian Sprint Nationals: come out and join V1 and OC6 sprint athletes for an exciting weekend of racing May 9-10)

Erik Ages 18 Comments

Canadian 2026 Outrigger National Sprint Championships – athletes will be racing this weekend (9-10 May) at Burnaby Lake

MAY 2026 UPDATE – race schedules for Saturday and Sunday
UPDATED RACE GRIDS (for SPECTATORS, SUPPORTS AND ATHLETES)

  • CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE Saturday Schedule
  • CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE Sunday Schedule
  • NOTE: due to numerous conflicts from double rostered athletes, the Saturday 500m Heats 1 and 2, Sunday 1000m Heats and Finals, and Sunday 500m Finals have been reorganized to alternate between Women’s and Men’s heats.

GENERAL SCHEDULE Times

Saturday May 9, 2026: 8AM THRU 6.30PM

  • Saturday morning – V1 500M heats and finals
  • Saturday afternoon – V6 500M heats
  • CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE Saturday Schedule

Sunday May 10, 2026: 8AM THRU 4.30PM

  • Sunday morning – V6 1000M heats
  • Sunday afternoon – V6 1000M finals and 500M finals
  • CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE Sunday Schedule

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.

L48 OC6 Steering Clinics, Victoria, BC – May 9 and 30, 2026

Ron Chin Leave a comment

Latridtude 48 Paddling Club is hosting two steering clinics during May, one for beginner steers and one for intermediate steers.

OC6 Steering Clinic – Beginner
Starting to steer is exciting and very challenging!  This focused clinic is designed to develop paddlers who are brand new to steering, or have less than 1 year of experience.
The clinic is kept intentionally small to maintain a low coach to participant ratio, so every paddler gets hands on practice, real feedback, and personalized coaching. 
Focus: Fundamentals, boat control, and building confidence on the water.
Date and Time:   May 9th,  2:00 – 4:30pm
Coach: Jim Pearson and Mackenzie Read
Program Fees: $60

OC6 Steering Clinic – Intermediate
Strong crews need confident steerspeople. This focused clinic for paddlers with at least one year of steering experience is designed to develop capable, calm steerspeople. 
Our coaches bring world class credentials to every session, each holding medals from international competition. They know what it takes to steer at every level, and they’re here to help you get there.
The clinic is kept intentionally small to maintain a low coach to participant ratio, so every paddler gets hands on practice, real feedback, and personalized coaching. 
Focus: Fundamentals, boat control, conditions, race tactics, and leading a crew under pressure.
Date and Time:   May 30th,  2:00 – 4:30pm
Coach: Jim Pearson and Corey Teramura
Program Fees: $60

Registration links are found HERE.

Beginner Steering Clinic , Courtenay, BC – May 3, 2026

Ron Chin Leave a comment

The Comox Valley Canoe Racing Club is presenting a beginner steering workshop in partnership with Leanne Stanley of The Stanley Edge. This clinic is supported by a CORA Clinic Grant.

If you are ready to take the helm, this introductory clinic is designed to build a strong, safe foundation and introduce you to the tools to get you started on your steering journey.

Steering an OC6 is more than just “poking”, it combines strategy, leadership and efficient body mechanics. The clinic will cover:

  • Mechanical Advantage: Learn precise paddling placement and positioning to control the canoe with less effort and more accuracy
  • Steer with your core: The clinic will focus on leveraging your bodyweight rather than relying on arm strength, significantly reducing the risk of shoulder, neck and back strain.
  • The Steerer’s Toolbox: Master the essential strokes- the Poke, Pry and Draw- and understand the physics of how they move the boat.
  • Command with Confidence: Learn some of the commands used to coordinate a crew and keep the boat safe.

Time to be confirmed. Paddlers will meet at the CVCRC paddling compound . There will be land-based introductions and instruction prior to going out on the water. Please dress accordingly.
Cost: CVCRC members: free / Non-CVCRC members: $40
Registration: Contact Michele Genge