Welcome to the 2026 Paddle Australia Canoe Marathon Championships Registration.
PLEASE READ THESE NOTES CAREFULLY BEFORE ENTERING
All paddlers must register (If competing in Doubles, BOTH individuals must enter separately).
You will need to select which events you are entering, (ICF/General), and how many events.
Your answers will determine your final entry fee.
Take care to enter in the correct category and class : "W" = Women, "M" = Men and "X" used for Mixed Doubles W/M
Entry Deadlines:
- Early Bird Entries available until midnight Monday 9th March 2026
- Standard Entries available 10th March - 31st March 2026
- Late Entries available 1st April - 4th April 2026
- All entries close at midnight on 4th April 2026
Plan Ahead to Avoid Changes !
- Please endeavour to be clear and certain before entering. Changes in entries necessitate extensive work for registrars.
- Once you have completed your initial entry, any changes to your entry will only be accepted through your State's Team Leader.
- Changes will be updated each weekend in the lead-up to the Championships.
- If you are entering in Doubles events, you must finalise partner(s) before entering.
Please enter partner's proper name (do not use nicknames)
Event Timetable and Race Categories, Distances, Laps, Portages:
Select this link to the Event Guidebook: 2026 PA Canoe Marathon Championships Guidebook
Age Categories:
Juniors: Based on your age as of 31st December 2026. If you turn 18 during 2026, you are Under 18
Masters: Based on your age as of 31st December 2026. If you turn 55 during 2026, you are 55+
Doubles: Set by the age of the oldest paddler for junior crews and the youngest paddler for Seniors/Masters crews
Masters Registrations: Initially in 10-year age groups. If 5-year sub-brackets can be constituted, (minimum 3 boats in 5-year sub-brackets) classes will be restructured and raced accordingly
Boat Classes: ICF & General
ICF Classes are for ICF K [Kayaks] and C [Canoes] and INCLUDES PORTAGE as specified by ICF Rules [Max Age for Portage = 64: ICF 65+ does not portage]
General Classes do not portage, and are available to a wide selection of boats including ski, multi-sport, canoe and also the ICF K & C class boats where the entrant does not wish to portage AND is not seeking selection.
Monday - Paddle with a Legend
U18s and older are invited to paddle their double (kayak/ski/canoe) with an U16 paddler of the opposite gender in a 3 km race starting at 08:30am on Monday.
The idea is for our paddling legends to inspire the next generation.
If you are over 18, please put your hand up to be a LEGEND, especially if you have raced overseas in any paddlesport event or completed some of our iconic marathon races.
All U16 paddlers and younger, are encouraged to put their hands up to be part of this unique opportunity.
Please register your interest when you complete your entry.
SUP Class:
Entry to the PA National SUP Championships is through a separate registration portal HERE.
World Championships Selection:
As this is a Paddle Australia National Selection Event it is expected that entrants who are nominating for Selection have read and agree to the 2026 Paddle Australia Canoe Marathon Selection Criteria Supplement as found on the Paddle Australia website and via the link HERE. Entrants seeking Selection to the Australian Team to compete at the 2026 Canoe Marathon World Championships in Argentina are also required to Comply with Sport Integrity Australia requirements - detailed below
Sport Integrity Australia [SIA] Compliance Check:
All participants seeking Selection need to complete the following courses on the SIA eLearning site:
- Anti-Doping Fundamentals
- Annual Update [relates to Anti-Doping]
Link to Sport Integrity Australia E-Leaning Site: Sport Integrity Australia E-Learning Site
Life Jackets / PFD's
Every competitor must have access to a proper fitting life jacket (Level 50, 50S or 100).
The event has been granted an exemption from the requirement to wear life jackets / personal flotation devices, however, correctly fitted life jackets must still be worn by:
• All paddlers competing in the Under 10, Under 12 and Under 14 categories.
• Those who are not strong and/or confident swimmers.
• All paddlers if the Competition Committee deems it necessary due to prevailing conditions.
Inflatable life jackets are not acceptable.
Championships Dinner:
The Championships Dinner will be held on Sunday 12th April, from 18:00 at The Queanbeyan Hotel, 59 Crawford Street (on corner with Uriarra Road), Queanbeyan (https://www.hotelqueanbeyan.com.au/), 10-15 minutes from the venue by car and within walking distance of many accommodation options in Queanbeyan.
The 3-course Dinner is Buffet style with Entree, Main and Dessert.
The Queanbeyan Hotel, or Top Pub as it is affectionately known by locals, has been Queanbeyan’s favourite neighbourhood pub since 1927. It was originally built to house workers who had moved to the area to build Canberra and quickly became a favourite watering hole for the whole region because of the prohibition of the sale of alcohol in the ACT at that time. Top Pub became a magnet for residents of Canberra who flocked across the border to drink and buy alcohol.
The 2026 PA Canoe Marathon Championships Dinner will take place in the original dining hall which has been preserved to capture the family friendly environment for which Top Pub is famous. Top Pub is located near Queanbeyan Railway Station, a heritage listed facility which was opened in 1887 and is known for its architectural significance and historical importance.
Top Pub is a sponsor of the Marathon Championships, so please support this event. Medals for U18, U23 and Open categories Friday-Sunday will be presented at the dinner, together with the announcement of the Provisional National Marathon Team for the 2026 Canoe Marathon and Canoe Marathon Masters World Championships in Argentina in October 2026.
Event Merchandise:
The Event T-Shirt is only available for purchase through this Registration process.
Event T-Shirts can be ordered up until close of Early Bird (9th March), after which no further orders will be accepted.
Ordering your event T-Shirt before close of Early Bird will ensure that you will receive a shirt in the size you ordered
The organisers MAY order additional supplies of shirts which MAY then be available for purchase at the venue, however quantity and sizes cannot be gauranteed.
All Event related queries via email to events@paddle.org.au