The world’s best ocean racing paddlers will head to Perth, Western Australia, with Paddle Australia excited to host both the 2023 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships and the 2023 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Masters World Championships later this year.
Both events will run from Monday November 27, with the race window from November 30 to December 3, 2023. Both World Championships will be open entry, meaning that paddlers will not need to qualify to participate.
Paddle Australia CEO Phil Jones said he looks forward to welcoming the world’s best paddlers to Australian shores.
“The waters off Perth offer some of the best ocean racing in the world,’ Jones said.
“We are particularly pleased that the ICF has agreed that there will be no requirement to qualify. Paddlers just need to be members of their National Federation to participate.
“Given the increasing popularity of ocean paddling, we anticipate people travelling to Perth in large numbers. For Australians, this is an opportunity to participate in a Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in their own country for the first time."
Western Australia has a rich history in canoe ocean racing, playing host to several popular annual events, including the renowned ‘Shaw and Partners Doctor’ (Saturday November 25, 2023), held as part of the annual Shaw and Partners Australian Ocean Racing Series (AORS) WA Race Week (November 18 to 25).
The World Championships Race Village at Scarborough Beach will open on Monday November 27, immediately following Shaw and Partners Race Week and the Doctor. A range of activities, including transport for those wishing to train in the course area, will be organised in the lead up to the official start of the Championships.
The Championship dates are set to allow paddlers competing in the World Championships, and especially those coming to Perth for the first time, to race in the ‘Shaw and Partners Doctor,’ and perhaps other events in WA Race Week, while still having plenty of time to recover and prepare for the World Championships. The full draft program will be announced prior to entries opening in early May.
“Perth and WA have a lot to offer visitors, including good travel and transport links, plenty of varied accommodation options and a strong and successful history in hosting major events,” Event Director, Jason Wright, said.
“Importantly, there is a large and enthusiastic paddling community who are planning to welcome paddlers from around the world. Whether making the trip alone or with family and friends, all paddlers are assured of a warm welcome in Western Australia.”
The course itself will be set to take full advantage of the renowned ‘Fremantle Doctor,’ a sea breeze that develops on most summer days off Perth, providing some of the best downwind ocean paddling in the world.
Races will start from historic Bathers Beach in Fremantle, with the fleet heading up the coast to finish at Scarborough Beach, a race distance of over 20 kms. The finish area at Scarborough Beach provides an almost perfect setting for the World Championships.
To stay up to date with the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships, click ‘interested’ or ‘attending’ on the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/746937800435134
PADDLE AUSTRALIA
