Author: Erik Ages

Coaches for 2026 Singapore IVF World Sprints: CORA is seeking experienced coaches to prepare Canada’s elite national teams for the Singapore IVF World Sprint Championships in 2026. 

Positions Available for the following divisions: 

• Elite Men Coach
• Elite Women Coach
• Elite Under 19 Men Coach
• Elite Under 19 Women Coach

Position Categories:  Contractual
Application Deadline:  21 July 2025
Email Applications To:  info@canadianoutrigger.ca

Coaching Responsibilities

• Review athlete applications for relevant gender division/s in preparation for the Calgary Trials (September 20-21 2025) leading to team selection for World Sprints (Singapore 2026).
• Athlete Selection – Initial selection of athletes who will proceed from elite trials and potential selection to the national team in each coach’s respective division.
• Training Program Development – Create training program tailored to the timeline for Singapore sprints for the division for which the coach is responsible.
• Competition Preparation – Plan and oversee training camps, coordinating logistics and travel in consultation with CORA’s IVF Program Manager.
• Athlete progress monitoring through performance measures (time trials and other testing).
• Team Building – Work to build a cohesive, communicative,supportive team atmosphere among the athletes competing for a seat and forming the final team in the coach’s division.
• Collaboration & Reporting – Each coach will report to the CORA High Performance Committee and work closely with the CORA IVF Program Manager to maintain compliance with IVF regulations and CORA standards.

Qualifications

• Coaching Background.
  Several years’  coaching experience in outrigger canoeing or a related paddling sport at a significant level for high-performance teams.
• Technical Expertise.
  Thorough knowledge and effective application of training principles, methodologies and racing strategies, for individual and crew development with a comprehensive knowledge of sprint outrigger canoe racing.
• Leadership & Communication.
  Proven ability to lead athletes, manage team dynamics and resolve conflicts.
• Certifications and Other Requirements.
  The below certifications are required. Coaches may, at the discretion of the committee, be permitted to attain missing qualifications, at the coach’s expense, if they are completed prior to the September time trials.
  • Emergency First Aid (St. Johns, or equivalent)
  • Safe Sport – Coaching Association of Canada
  • NCCP Making Ethical Decisions – National Coaching Certification Program
  • Coaches who work with U16 athletes, must undergo a Canadian Criminal Record Check. 
• Desirable Certifications
  The below certifications are desirable. Applicants are requested to indicate which certifications they hold.
  • Other NCCP courses including the core outcomes
  • NCCP Coaching competencies
  • Pleasure Craft Operator Card – Transport Canada (required if operating a coach boat)
    
• Working with J19 and younger crews
  Coaches who work with the J19 and under athletes must have a minimum of two years working with athletes in that age class and demonstrate an understanding of the safety requirement for working with junior athletes in water sports. These applicants must be knowledgeable of the CORA Junior Paddler Safety Policy and Procedures. 

Availability

Coaches must be willing to commit their efforts from July 2025 (to initiate recruitment of athletes to the Calgary Trials in September), to attending the trials on September 20/21 2025 and performing the selection and training of crews for Singapore in August 2026.

Coaches’ Compensation

CORA has prepared an outline budget of $6,800 to cover delivery of services outlined in the job description, including travel costs to the September 2025 selection camp in Calgary.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate how they will work within this budget specific to the division (e.g. elite women or U19 men, as examples) for which they have been retained. Any additional expenses outside of this amount (for example, the running of additional camps) will be considered by the CORA Board on a case by case basis.

An Independent Contractor Agreement will be put in place for each selected coach.

Application Process

Please submit the following by 21 July 2025 to info@canadianoutrigger.ca:

1. Cover Letter (detailing coaching philosophy, general experience).
2. Curriculum Vitae (coaching background, achievements, certifications). Please ensure you address all required criteria.
3. A presentation of your plans to work within the budget set by CORA; you must indicate the division you wish to be considered for (e.g. elite men or U19 women for example).
4. Provide two professional references

Important Exclusion
Coaches cannot select or coach their own age/gender division if they themselves wish to compete. 

CORA is considering applicants for Singapore Sprints in 2026; RFPs for future coaching projects will be issued separately. 

Congratulations to all Team Canada paddlers who will be racing at the 2025 IVF World Distance Championship in Brazil August 13 – 21

CANADA’S V1 COMPETITORS:
Junior 16 Women V1: Keira Seward
Master 40 Women V1: Sheila Kuyper
Master 50 Women V1: Melanie Conard
Master 60 Women V1: Heather Taylor
Master 70 Women V1: Kat Town
Master 75 Women V1: Barb McColl
Junior 16 Men V1: Alex Morris
Junior 19 Men V1: Joseph Seward
Open Men V1: Michael Wyse
Master 70 Men V1: John Rodgers
Master 75 Men V1: Terry Curtis
Master 80 Men V1 John Roberts

CANADA’S CREWBOAT COMPETITORS:
Junior 16 Women V6:
Danielle Edwards
Phoenix Elliott
Sarah Elliott
Maleah Harris
Keira Seward
Vivianna Peters

Master 40 Women V6:
Melanie Conard
Marnie Conklin
Carole Fullerton
Whitney Horstman
Kim Inglis
Sheila Kuyper

Master 60 Women V6:
Laurel Archer
Annie Boulding
JoAnn Isaacson
Catherine Marr
Lisa Robertson
Heather Taylor

Master 70 Women V6:
Lorene Archdekin
Shirley Curtis
Barb McColl
Rose Mary Neill
Yvonne Sharpe
Kat Town

Junior 19 Men V6:
Joseph Seward
Jacob Seward
William Morris
Peter Elliott
Bryce Edwards
Nicholas Morris

Open Men V6:
Carl Good
Derrick Seward
James Wyse
Allen Wyse
Michael Wyse
Eli Wyse
Edward Wyse-Good

Master 70 Men V6:
Larry Burroughs
Terry Curtis
Dave Longman
John Roberts
John Rodgers
Gabriel Somjen

Congratulations!!

V1 Vacancies for Rio 2025
These V1 divisions are vacant for Team Canada for the 2025 IVF World Distance Championships in Brazil and the Selection Committee is accepting applications:

• Junior 19 Women
• Open Women
• Master 80 Women
• Master 40 Men
• Master 50 Men
• Master 60 Men

Please note the following:

• Fees to CORA will be $1398, and you will also need a uniform (which may need to be borrowed because we will be ordering uniforms very soon).
• The deadline for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) has passed, but we may be able to submit an emergency application if needed. 
• Verification of a recent  V1 >10 km  performance will be required: a time trial overseen and verified by a coach, or a race result that can be found online.

If you are interested in racing V1 in Brazil in one of these divisions, please contact Sherry at sherry@canadianoutrigger.ca. Paddlers will be expected to provide the verified results by June 23rd and pay the required fees within 1 week after approval is granted from the selection committee.