The International Canoe Federation successfully conducted a site visit in Canada as preparations intensify for the staging of a series of major events in 2026.
Excitement is building in Canada with Halifax and Montreal getting ready to welcome top sprint paddlers from across the globe next year.
All eyes will be on Dartmouth’s Lake Banook when it stages the ICF Masters Canoe Sprint World Championships from June 25 to 27 and Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships from July 1 to 5.
Montreal’s Olympic Basin will be the stage for the ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup from July 9 to 12, after holding the Pan American Canoe Sprint Championships from July 13 to 15.
A site visit was conducted by ICF Global Director of Events, Balint Vekassy, and Head of Sport, David Bugar, from October 13 to 17.
Mr Vekassy and Mr Bugar met with Canoe Kayak Canada Chief Executive Officer Casey Wade and Chief Technical Officer Ian Mortimer, and Atlantic Division Canoe Kayak Canada Technical Director Mark James, as well as representatives from the county of Nova Scotia and Discover Halifax.
In Montreal, Mr Vekassy and Mr Bugar also met with city representatives and staff of the Parc Jean Drapeu.
During the visits to Halifax and Montreal, the layouts of both the venues and main areas of the sites were agreed and competition planning got underway.
John Edwards, Chair of the ICF Paracanoe Committee, was also in attendance in the site visit in Montreal as they reviewed accessibility at the venue and potential hotels.
It was a trip down memory lane for Mr Edwards as he competed in Montreal when it staged the 1976 Olympic Games.
The Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Games in Montreal.
“It’s always special to return to Montreal, where I competed at the Olympic Games 50 years ago,” said Mr Edwards.
“A lot has changed since then, but it remains a world-class venue that will provide a fantastic stage for our Paracanoe World Cup next year.
“I believe Montreal has the goods to be one of the ICF’s top competition venues.
“Taking our World Cup to Canada is an important step forward as we strive to develop Paracanoe in Pan America and beyond.”
Dartmouth is no stranger to staging major ICF events, having held the Canoe Sprint World Championships in 2009 and 2022.
Toshi Furuya, Chair of the ICF Canoe Sprint Committee, said he was delighted to move major events to different parts of the world.
“As outlined in the ICF’s Fit for Future strategy, it’s essential that we take our World Cups and World Championships to different continents other than Europe,” said Mr Furuya.
“Canada has a great history in Canoe Sprint, and I’m sure they will deliver fantastic events in Halifax and Montreal in 2026.
“It’s always exciting to hold competitions in North America, especially with the Olympic Games taking place in Los Angeles in 2028.
“These events in Canada will also form part of our Olympic qualification system, so they will be another key step on the road to LA, and we cannot wait for the action to begin.”
With less than a year to go before Canada stages the World Championships and World Cup, Mr Vekassy said he was pleased with how preparation was going.
“I would like to praise the attitude of Canoe Kayak Canada as they are really determined to succeed next year,” said Mr Vekassy.
“It’s great to be going back to Montreal which held Canoe Sprint World Championships in 1986 and staged the Olympic Games in 1976.
“The venue is amazing and is just one stop away on the metro from downtown Montreal.
“We were impressed with the organisers’ approach to making this a sustainability event with plans for athletes to use public transport.
“We are also enthused by plans in Halfifax which is a very experienced organiser of major ICF competitions, so strong foundations are being put in place for next year’s events.”
Casey Wade, Chief Executive Officer at CKC, said: “This is a landmark summer for Canadian paddling.
“We are thrilled to be returning to Halifax once again and to Montreal’s Olympic Basin, marking the 50th anniversary of the Montreal Olympic Games.
“Hosting these world-class events in Canada gives our paddlers a home-field opportunity to shine, inspires the next generation of young Canadians to pick up a paddle, and delivers meaningful legacy benefits for the region.
“It’s a celebration of our paddling heritage, a springboard for future champions, and it shines a spotlight on our great communities, making it all possible.”
Mark James, Technical Director and Lead Staff at Atlantic Division Canoe Kayak Canada, added: “Building on the legacy of Canoe ’22 and the infrastructure renewal of the David M. Jones Memorial Judges Tower, the Atlantic Division Canoe Kayak Canada is honoured to welcome the world to Nova Scotia once again.
“Hosting the Junior and U23 World Championships alongside the Masters World Championships is a proud milestone for our community.
“These events will showcase the passion and hospitality that define the Maritimes, while delivering a top-tier competitive experience for those who matter the most: the athletes."
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