Two major canoeing events are coming to a popular club in Dartmouth this summer.
Lake Banook will host canoe sprint world championships, back-to-back.
Canoe Kayak Canada in partnership with the International Canoe Federation (ICF), the Atlantic Division Canoe Kayak Canada (ADCKC), Nova Scotia and the Halifax Regional Municipality made the announcement, Friday.
The ICF Master Canoe Sprint World Championships will be June 25-27, and just days later the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships will be from July 1-5, 2026.
It will also be the first time these championships are hosted one after the other, in Canada.
Casey Wade, CEO of Canoe Kayak Canada says these events are a milestone for the sport and a return to a community with a rich paddling tradition.
“With exceptional leadership, dedicated staff, and passionate volunteers, Halifax sets a standard of excellence, and we look forward to delivering a world-class experience for the participants and spectators alike,” says Wade.
According to ADCKC, there are two standout local athletes:
- Tate Levy, a sprint kayaker from Fall River who trains with Senobe Aquatic Club and a graduate of Lockview High School. He won bronze in the men’s K1 at a sprint world championship in Portugal in 2025.
- Sloan MacKenzie, an Olympic bronze medalist in women’s canoe spring with having made the podium in multiple internal events including Pan Am and World Championship gold. She has a degree in Applied Human Nutrition.
The events are expected to bring in nearly $11 million to economy and draw thousands of athletes, officials and spectators from more than 60 countries.
