2025 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Champs

WHO
While the world’s best Ocean Racing (Surfski) male and female paddlers will be competing for World Championship titles in senior, U23, junior and masters age groups, hundreds of other paddlers will be enjoying the superb surfski conditions off the Durban coastline in a week-long series of events.

WHAT
The 2025 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Champs. There will be events for SS1 (surfski single) and SS2 (surfski double). World Championship medals will be awarded for SS1 and mixed SS2 in relevant age categories. There will also be other associated events both on and off the water.

WHERE
Racing on both days will start at the Durban Undersea Club (DUC). Paddlers will paddle to Amanzimtoti (28km – north-east wind), or Westbrook Beach (34km – south west). In very light wind conditions, the provisional course will be from DUC to Umhlanga and back. In slightly extreme conditions, an inshore triangular course may be considered. In unsafe conditions, a Durban Harbour Course will be used.

WHEN
Dependent on wind and surf conditions, racing will be held within a three-day race window, from Friday October 17, to Sunday October 19, with the SS1 category taking preference. If all 3 days have good conditions, the SS1 will be held on Friday, the SS2 on the Saturday and a lifesaving race on the Sunday. Pre-race registration and equipment checking will take place on Thursday October 16. Race briefing will be at the start location before the start each day.

PROVISIONAL PLAN

Saturday, 11th October
Pre race registration and equipment check for the Pirates/Umhlanga/Pirates Race (the oldest sursfski race in the world) at Pirates Lifesaving club

Sunday, 12th October
Pirates/Umhlanga/Pirates Surfski Race (22km) at Pirates Lifesaving club

Monday, 13th October
Unofficial training.
Registration office will be open from 14h00 to 18h00

Tuesday, 14th October
Unofficial training in morning.
Out n Back race in the afternoon.
Registration office will be open from 14h00 to 18h00

Wednesday, 15th October
Official Training Day. Direction will be wind dependent.
Registration office will be open from 09h00 to 16h00
Team managers meeting 17h00

Thursday, 16th October
Unofficial training.
Registration office will be open from 09h00 to 16h00
Opening Ceromony 16h00
Mayoral Reception 18h00

Friday, 17th October
SS1 or SS2. Start time and course will be conditions dependent.

Saturday 18th October
SS1 or SS2. Start time and course will be conditions dependent.

Sunday, 19th October
SS1 or SS2. Start time and course will be conditions dependent
(or lifesaving race if both SS1 and SS2 have been completed)
After Party at DUC.

ENTRY AND ACCEPTANCE:
Entries will be online, through the federation race entry portal.
All international entries will be required to register on the portal. This will allow access to entries for all other events as well (Pirates/ Umhlanga, mid week out and back, Pete Marlin, Lifesaving race).
All entrants will need to be a registered and paid-up member, in good standing of a federation affiliated to the ICF.
As per ICF requirements, all international competitors, and/or teams, will require a letter from their federation stating that they are competent in extreme conditions.
All competitors who wish to be considered for World Championship Medals (Seniors, Juniors & U23) will need to be registered through the ICF SDP system as well.

ENTRY FEES:

The entry fee for the World Championships SS1 race will be as follows:

R2 000 (about €100) from 14th April to 30th June
R2 400 (about €120) from 1st July to 31st August
R3 000 (about €150) from 1st September
Those wishing to enter the SS2 race will be required to pay and additional R600 (about €30) per paddler.

Those wishing to only enter the SS2 race (and not the SS1 race) will need to enter and pay the same fee as the SS1 race (per paddler).

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

As per safety requirements under Safety

CATEGORIES:
Prize money will be released and published once finalised

REGISTRATION:
Pre-Race registration, equipment check and competition pack collection at the above opening times of the registration office.
The HOC will be making use of the SafeTrx tracking App for the event, as well as for all training, and other events. Participants will be required to have a smart phone, with the SafeTrx app loaded, with enough data (e-sims are cheap and easy), in a waterproof pouch, fully charged.
Race & safety briefing will be held each day at the “Start Location” unless stated otherwise via the event’s WhatsApp group. Details on joining the WhatsApp group will be finalised and published closer to the event date.

STARTING TIMES:
Scheduled for between 07h00 and 10h00 each day, but this is subject to change, depending on the sea and wind conditions.

POSSIBLE COURSES & DISTANCES:
The race organisers reserve the right to change courses and/or swap the days around should this be deemed beneficial for the event. The emphasis and plan is, however, to race singles on the Friday.

Conditions Start End Distance (km’s)

North East Wind: DUC to Amanzimtoti Main Beach (27kms)
South West Wind:  DUC to Westbrook Beach (34kms)
No wind: DUC to Umhlanga & back (24kms)
Unsafe beach conditions at Amanzimtoti or Westbrook: Triangular course from DUC
Extreme Unsafe Sea: Durban Harbour Course
NOTE: If the preferable day for SS1 is the second or third day and the SS2 needs to be held on a day before the SS1, the organisers reserve the right to shorten the race.

THE COURSES ARE ALL SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AT THE TIME

THE FINISH AND PRIZEGIVING:
All post and pre-race activities, as well as prize giving will take place at DUC, 79 Signal Rd, Point, Durban.
Prize Giving is scheduled to start at 16h00 on both days, or one hour after the last paddler has finished. Separate Prize giving for singles and doubles on each day.
THE ABOVE IS ALL SUBJECT TO CHANGE GIVEN THE REQUIREMENTS AT THE TIME

CATERING:
The Durban Underwater Club will provide refreshments.
Lunch/meal availability at the club, will be communicated closer to the time

ENQUIRIES:
Race Director – Colin Simpkins (083 263 1927)
Deputy Race Director – Dave Harker (083 287 8800)
Race Administrator Daryn Brown – (083 779 0056)
E-mail: sg@paddlesportsa.co.za

WHATSAPP GROUP:
All race information will be shared on the event Whatsapp group – be sure to join the group.
Details on joining the WhatsApp group will be finalised and published closer to the event date.