Nominations are open for the 2026 Canoe Racing New Zealand Sport and Recognition Awards, with paddlers, coaches, officials and clubs from around the country eligible to be put forward.
The categories span the sport's three main disciplines, canoe sprint, ocean ski and marathon, alongside awards for the volunteers and administrators who keep clubs running.
Athletes can be nominated for Female Canoe Sprint Athlete of the Year, Male Canoe Sprint Athlete of the Year, Ocean Ski Athlete of the Year, Marathon Athlete of the Year, Junior (18&U) Athlete of the Year, 23&U Athlete of the Year and Masters Athlete of the Year. Team of the Year is also up for grabs.
Beyond individual performance, there are awards recognising those who make the sport run: Club Coach of the Year, Official of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Club of the Year and the Paddler.nz Spirit of Paddling Award.
A separate set of Recognition Awards, the Outstanding Service Award and Excellence Awards, honours longer-term contribution to canoe racing in New Zealand.
The 2026 awards ceremony will be held on Saturday 23 January 2027 at Rydges Hotel in Rotorua, following the day's racing at the Tikitapu 2 Sprint Regatta.
