Paddlers from around the world to convene at the inaugural CMW Canadian Surfski Championships
Vancouver, June 26, 2014 -- The first-ever CMW Canadian Surfski Championships (CSC) is set to take place on Saturday, August 23, 2014. The event is expected to attract over 150 of the world’s best surfski racers, including 12-time World Surfski Champion Oscar Chalupsky, members of the CanoeKayak Canada National Team, Olympic canoeists and kayakers, and local paddlers vying for the inaugural title and $15,000 in cash prizes.
Surfskis are fast lightweight watercraft that are similar to outrigger canoes, but without the outrigger and are paddled like a kayak. The sport of surfski racing grew out of surf lifesaving, common in countries like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa; but has since grown in popularity as a competitive sport with Vancouver, British Columbia and Bellingham, Washington serving as hubs for surfski padding in North America.
“Surfskiing is a sport that takes paddling down to the bare essentials and tests the strength and training of every paddler as they combine paddling skills with downwind surfing,” explains Bob Putnam, race director, CMW Canadian Surfski Championships. “
“The race has generated quite a bit of excitement as there is no other surfski race of this magnitude in the Pacific Northwest, and paddlers are excited to compete on a course that promises fast wave riding and spectacular scenery.”
The 21-km racecourse runs parallel to the Sea-to-Sky corridor, starting at Porteau Cove and finishes in Squamish. The route is considered a “downwind” race taking advantage of the strong afternoon in-flow winds, allowing racers to surf their way to the finish line near O’Siem Pavilion Park in downtown Squamish.
For more information on the CMW Canadian Surfski Championship or to arrange for interviews, please contact:
Bob Putnam
Work: 604-987-2202 Mobile: 604-805-6975
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canadiansurfskichamps.com/ 
