Author: Graeme Galves

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.

The PNWORCA / CORA 2026 Small-Boat Racing Winter Series Championship event lived up to expectations as there were over 120 participants, the courses were challenging, the weather was beautiful, the awards / prizes were exceptional, and the after-race buffet meal was phenomenal as usual.

The PNWORCA Race Committee no longer tracks Small-Boat Racing Winter Series points and the Small-Boat Racing Winter Series Championship event host no longer recognizes Division Top 3 Finishers. However, the CORA Race Committee continues to track Small-Boat Racing Winter Series points so as to recognize Canadians who are among the Top 3 Finishers overall in their Boat / Gender / Age Division and to continue the tradition of the Peter Forand Masters Challenge Trophy.

• Marnie Conklin (1st V1 Women), Robbie Magus (1st V1 Men), Graeme Galves (1st V1 Men)
• Doug Thomas (2nd OC1 Men)
• Dana Britton (3rd OC1 Women)

By virtue of having a 1st Place in five races, the PNWORCA / CORA 2026 Small-Boat Racing Winter Series winner of the Peter Forand Masters Challenge is Kevin Cowan (Kai Ikaika) in the Men Masters 60+ OC1 Division. The 2026 PNWORCA Winter Series event organizers recognize Kevin Cowan as the Peter Forand Masters Challenge winner in accordance with guidelines as the Male or Female Masters (40+ / 50+ / 60+ / 70+) paddler with the highest number of points across all age / gender brackets at the end of the Winter Series. Dana Britton, Harrison OC1 Masters 50+ paddler, graciously presented the Trophy to Kevin Cowan, in the 10th and possibly Final year of the Peter Forand Masters Challenge.

Congratulations to Kevin Cowan as he has demonstrated commitment and excellence in Winter Series small-boat racing for several decades. Vast distances permitting, we would like to present this trophy to Kevin Cowan in-person at a PNWORCA event in the near future.

There were 82 paddlers who completed one or more races in the OC1 Masters Division. PNWORCA / CORA wish to recognize these individuals who were top contenders for the Peter Forand Masters Challenge Trophy: Kevin Cowan (Kai Ikaika) 1st Place, Noah Johnson-Greenough (Kai Ikaika) 2nd Place, Kimberly Pennington (Kai Ikaika) 3rd Place, Minnie Fontenelle (Sand Point) 4th Place, Mulu Tapasa (Kai Ikaika) 5th Place, Dana Britton (Harrison) 6th Place, and Manny De Leon (FreeLance) 7th Place.

2026 had been another exceptional year for the PNWORCA / CORA Small-Boat Racing Winter Series. The Winter weather had been bitterly cold at times, but not a single PNWORCA / CORA Small-Boat Racing Winter Series event was cancelled, resulting in a record-setting 459 entries (65+ entries on average per event), as well as a record-setting 73 V1 (rudderless) entries.

In recognition of steadily increasing V1 (rudderless) participation in Small-Boat Racing, the PNWORCA / CORA 2026 Small-Boat Racing Winter Series Championship event introduced innovative awards this year. Those V1 paddlers who completed a minimum of 3 long-course races in their age / gender division, and had the most points in their age / gender division, were awarded medals. PNWORCA / CORA wish to recognize these individuals who won their V1 Division: Masato Tsukigase (Sand Point), Marnie Conklin (False Creek), Robbie Magus (False Creek), Minnie Fontenelle (Sand Point), Graeme Galves (FreeLance), Traci Cole (Sand Point). It is worth noting that by completing just 1 more long-course race in their age / gender division, another 11 V1 paddlers would have been in contention for awards. Dana Britton, Harrison OC1 Masters 50+ paddler, graciously presented the V1 medals to Marnie Conklin and Robbie Magus at the False Creek March Madness event on Sunday afternoon.

 

 

For more information about the Peter Forand Masters Challenge, CLICK HERE

The PNWORCA / CORA 2026 Winter Series Championship Race will be hosted by Sand Point Outrigger Canoe Club at Magnuson Park, Seattle Washington, USA. On Saturday, March 28th, 2026, the race is scheduled to start at 11:00AM Pacific and all small boats are welcome.

There will be a long course of approximately 9 miles and a short course of approximately 5 miles. The racecourse may be changed due to wind and weather in the interest of paddler safety. Race fee is $30 (includes race fee, lunch, insurance) for all paddlers (adult / youth). Onliine Registration closes at 8PM Pacific Friday March 27th. Please pre-register online via Pacific Multisports before race day as it helps to prepare for participation numbers. Sign Participant Waiver in-person during check in on site.

Race day registration will be accepted during check-in. This will also be the 10th (and possibly Final) year of the Peter Forand Masters Challenge where the Top OC1 Masters Paddler will be recognized at the PNWORCA / CORA Winter Series Championship event hosted by Sand Point Outrigger Canoe Club.