More than 500 paddlers from over 30 nations are poised to take to South African waters for the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships.
Durban is the venue for this year’s event with racing scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday.
It is the first time the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships has been held in South Africa since the first edition in 2013 – and the hosts are expected to respond with a strong challenge for medals across the board.
Click here for live startlists and results from Durban
Where to Watch
All the action will be broadcast live on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
For €9.99 per month, members will be able to watch all the ICF’s major events, including the Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships, as well as enjoy bonus content throughout the season.
There will be live coverage from Durban as paddlers battle it out for world titles in surfski single (SS1) and surfski double (SS2).
Sign into YouTube, or create an account, and click JOIN to watch uninterrupted live coverage of the world’s best paddlers competing for top honours.
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- Sign in to YouTube, or create an account
- Go to Planet Canoe’s channel
- Click ‘JOIN’ and fill out your payment details
After becoming a member, you will have access to the exclusive members tab and can watch members-only content.
For more information, click here.
Live Streaming Schedule
October 18
SS2: 7:30 to 11:00
October 19
SS1: 8:30 to 12:00
Ones to Watch
Kira Bester (RSA): Given South Africa’s history and tradition in surfski racing, the hosts will have high hopes of success on home waters. Bester will be among those expected to deliver having captured the women’s SS1 crown last year. She will face a fight for top spot with Michelle Burn aiming to reclaim the overall world title and Melanie van Niekerk, Jade Wilson and Georgia Singe among the other South Africans determined to put themselves in the mix for top honours.
Gordan Harbrecht (GER): 2024 was an historic year for the German as he became the first-ever European winner of the world title courtesy of his victory in the men’s SS1. Harbrecht looked in good form earlier this year when he secured the World Cup crown along with Bester in Villajoyosa, Spain. But he is expected to come up against Australia’s three-time champion Cory Hill who will be out for revenge and a stern South African challenge.
Nicolas Notten (RSA): There are so many South African paddlers to look out as they aim to make home advantage count. Notten arrives as the reigning South African national champion and is a former winner of this event having triumphed in 2021. Kenneth Rice, who emerged victorious in 2022, came second in the National Championships, while the great Hank McGregor, 47, will also be out to impress on South African waters having challenged for medals last year.
Past Winners
Men’s SS1
- 2013: Sean Rice (RSA)
- 2015: Cory Hill (AUS)
- 2017: Cory Hill (AUS)
- 2019: Sean Rice (RSA)
- 2021: Nicolas Notten (RSA)
- 2022: Kenneth Rice (RSA)
- 2023: Cory Hill (AUS)
- 2024: Gordan Harbrecht (GER)
Women’s SS1
- 2013: Michele Eray (RSA)
- 2015: Teneale Hatton (NZL)
- 2017: Hayley Nixon (RSA)
- 2019: Danielle McKenzie (NZL)
- 2021: Michelle Burn (RSA)
- 2022: Jemma Smith (AUS)
- 2023: Jemma Smith (AUS)
- 2024: Kira Bester (RSA)
Mixed SS2
- 2023: Judit Verges Xifra and Walter Bouzan (ESP)
- 2024: Victor Rodriguez and Chloe Bunnett (ESP)
