The purpose of the Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award is to recognize volunteers who have made significant and exemplary contributions to the Outrigger Canoe Racing Discipline of Canadian Outrigger Racing Association (“CORA”) within Canada in the Builder Category.
The CORA Board has approved Policy and Procedure relating to selection and awarding and administering the Award as per the Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award Policy.
The Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award has traditionally been awarded after the CORA AGM. In 2026, the CORA Awards Committee opted for an “Early Call” for nominations as of 2026-Aug-31, given the pressing workload on CORA Board Members leading into the CORA Annual General Meeting (AGM). The CORA Awards Committee has reviewed nominations received for the past season and has recognized Wendy Rae-Perkins of Wai Nui O Kanaka as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award.
“Auntie” Wendy Rae-Perkins is a builder / pioneer / activist who has dedicated a lifetime to the paddling community and countless noble causes. Wendy has been Commodore of Wai Nui O Kanaka since 2007 and has made significant contributions to the Eastern Canada paddling community. Her Early Career, Outrigger Canoeing Achievements, Coach-Builder Achievements, Pioneering Achievements, and Exemplary Achievements are highlighted in her 2022 Canadian Outrigger Hall Of Fame Bio. She has been with Wai Nui, the first outrigger canoe club in Ontario, since 2003, five years after its inception, and has worked continuously to grow participation in every paddlesport for youths, seniors, and adaptive paddlers. Her contributions to support paddlesports in general and outrigger canoe racing in particular at the international, national, provincial, and club level have been recognized by clubs and paddlers all across Eastern Canada.
For more information about the Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award, CLICK HERE