Events and Workshops
BEGINNER STEERING CLINIC
The Comox Valley Canoe Racing Club is presenting a beginner steering workshop in partnership with Leanne Stanley of The Stanley Edge.
If you are ready to take the helm, this introductory clinic is designed to build a strong, safe foundation and introduce you to the tools to get you started on your steering journey.
Date: May 3
Location: Courtenay (CVCRC Paddling Compound)
-
Steering an OC6 is more than just “poking”, it combines strategy, leadership and efficient body mechanics.
The clinic will cover:
Mechanical Advantage: Learn precise paddling placement and positioning to control the canoe with less effort and more accuracy
Steer with your core: The clinic will focus on leveraging your bodyweight rather than relying on arm strength, significantly reducing the risk of shoulder, neck and back strain.
The Steerer’s Toolbox: Master the essential strokes- the Poke, Pry and Draw- and understand the physics of how they move the boat.
Command with Confidence: Learn some of the commands used to coordinate a crew and keep the boat safe.
-
Date: Sunday May 3
Time: TBC
Paddlers will meet at the CVCRC paddling compound . There will be land-based introductions and instruction prior to going out on the water. Please dress accordingly.
-
CORA NATIONALS 2025
Dates: September 27 & 28, 2025
Join us at beautiful Comox Lake for the event of the season. Enjoy fresh water and glacier views as you race in OC6 on Saturday or small boats on Sunday. Camping will be available onsite so you can stay and enjoy the post-race dinner, dance and awards.
UPDATES September 26:
Cell reception is very limited or not available. Download any info you may need
Please read the driving instructions, we recommend the route through Courtenay
Course maps and site map have been updated.
-
All races begin and end at the headland adjacent to the Courtenay Fish and Game Club located on Comox Lake.
The OC6 Novice and Junior Course will be approximately 6 kms. Click here for short course map
The OC6 long course will be approximately 17 kms. Click herefor long course mapThe small boats short course will be approximately 6 kms and will be set on race day subject to wind and water conditions.
The small boats long course will be approximately 12 kms, and will be set on race day subject to wind and water conditions.
All racecourses may be modified due to weather, water conditions, obstacles or other unforeseeable conditions.
-
The race will be held at the Courtenay Fish and Game club site on Comox Lake. Some of you may know it as a Snow to Surf staging site. Be advised that there may be some limited firearm noise activity which could cause distress to pets.
There is onsite parking for vehicles and trailers as well as a clubhouse where dinner will be hosted. Please see site map for more information.
The race site is adjacent to the beach and launch area, as well as a campground which will be available to racers and supporters. See camping tab for more information.
Please note that this site is on the opposite side of the lake to the village of Cumberland and its municipal campground.
FOOD INFO
The site is several kms out of town and there are no city amenities close by. Be sure to bring all snacks you may need.
Dinner is included in race fees.
There will be two food trucks onsite. Rove will be there starting at 9 am and Mirch will start serving at 11 am. Click on names for menus.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
For GPS enter Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association. *You may be directed to go through Cumberland. That road is mostly gravel and more challenging. We recommend the alternate route through Courtenay.
ALTERNATE/BEST ROUTE: Take exit 117 BC Hwy 19, keep right for 2.4 kms going towards Courtenay/Comox. Turn left onto Cumberland Road. Go 230 m and turn left onto Marsden Road. Go 2.3 kms and turn left onto Lake Trail Road. Continue 2.5 kms to Comox Valley Main Logging Road for 3.1 kms. The road will turn to gravel for a small section and the Fish and Game club will eventually be on your left. Go through the large open gate and stay right for 600m until you reach the campsite.
-
Registration opens on August 1 and ends September 25.
*Please note that new OC6 canoes cannot use smaller size OC1 number decals. Please contact CORA for more information.
Early price Aug1 - Sept 21
Teams: $300 (includes dinner)
Small boats: $25
Regular price Sept 21 - Sept 25 :
Teams: $330 (includes dinner)
Small boats: $30
Keiki and Junior OC6 are free. Fun kids race is free.
NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER SEPT 25
(onsite registration will not be possible, all registrations must be completed online, this includes small boat races on Sunday)Webscorer Race Registration Link
All racers must be CORA members prior to registration. This includes SUP racers (a one-day registration fee is available on CORA website).
CORA REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ONSITE ON RACE DAY.
WAIVERS must be signed and returned to Susan ASAP. To fill in digitally, download to your device and reopen from your device. PDF menu or autofill aid should pop up.
-
Friday September 26
10:00 Gate opens for canoe trailers
1:00 Campsite check-in begins
4:00 Kids fun races- register onsite
Saturday September 27
8:00 Registration Opens
8:30 Junior/Novice pre-race briefing
9:00 Junior/Novice start Spec boats
9:15 Junior/Novice start all other
10:00 K'ómoks FN welcome
10:15 Women’s pre-race briefing
10:45 Women’s start Spec boats
11:00 Women’s start all other boats
12:15 Village of Cumberland welcome
12:30 Mens pre-race briefing
1:00 Men’s start Spec boats
1:15 Men’s start all other boats
1:30 Junior/Novice and Women’s Awards and draw prizes
2:30 Mixed pre-race briefing
3:00 Mixed start Spec boats
3:15 Mixed start all other boats
3:30 Men’s race awards and draw prizes
4:00 Draw for decorative paddle
5:00 Mixed race awards, draw prizes and special prize draws
5:15 Coaches Forum (click to register on CORA website)
5:30 Dinner served
6:00 CORA awards
Sunday September 28
7:30 Registration check-in
8:30 Pre-race short course meeting
9:00 Short course start
9:30 Pre-race long course briefing
10:30 Long course race start
11:00 Short course awards
12:30 Long Course Awards
-
Register soon to ensure you have a spot. Camping spaces are limited.
Race participants will be offered the opportunity to camp onsite on Friday and Saturday night at the campground. .
Each campsite can generally fit one RV and vehicle or multiple small tents. Sites have power but no water or sanitary. Potable water and outhouses are available nearby. Sharing sites with teammates or friends is encouraged to ensure we have enough sites for all.
Fees are $20 per site, per night. Once you are registered for the race, you may reserve a campsite on a first come first served basis. Please send your camping request to Line (Lynn) and include your name, if you require Friday and/or Saturday and the number of people, RVs, tents for your site.
Please see the campsite map for more site information.
Campsite check-in will begin at 1:00 pm on Friday. Please let us know if you will be arriving late (after 9 pm) or need access early (before 1 pm).
-
A fun, free outrigger race event for youth 12 & under will be held Friday Sept. 26 at 4pm.
Short 500 m sprints in OC6 canoe
9 & under and 12 & under categories with u18 or adult steers - bring your own steersperson and/or canoe if you have one!
No need to bring a full crew - we will make teams with whoever shows up!
PFDs provided
Prizes!
No pre-registration necessary, just register onsite at the event location (Courtenay Fish & Game Club Campground) at 4pm on Friday September 26th..
ISLAND IRON COMOX 2025
Dates: June 14, 2025 (OC6 Races) and June 15, 2025 (small boats)
Location: Comox Marina 1805 Beaufort Avenue, Comox - *detour via Ryan Road adds 10-15 mins to travel time
-
All races begin and end at the Comox Harbour.
The OC6 Novice and Junior Course will be approximately 6 kms. Canoes will head out past Goose Spit to an ama side turn at the “Green Can” and return to finish at the Harbour.
The OC6 long course will be approximately 17 kms. The canoes will travel from the Fishing Pier start to the “Green Can” marker then head towards Union Bay, where they will make an ama side turn before returning to the Harbour.The small boats course will be approximately 12 kms, and will be set on race day subject to wind and tides.
All race courses may be modified due to weather, tide or other unforeseeable conditions.
-
SITE
There is a detour to get to Comox (via Ryan Road) which will add approx. 10-15 mins to travel time. Please plan accordingly.
The Comox Marina site has limited vehicle parking available, however a special area will be set aside for boats and trailers. Teams must provide their own boat holders and other equipment.
FOOD
Registration fees do not include any meals.
There will be food trucks onsite and there are several cafes and restaurants close to the venue. Please note that coffee may not be available onsite prior to am race starts.
-
Registration opens on May 3 and ends June 12.
Early price May 3- June 7:
Teams: $210 ($35 per paddler)
Small boats: $25
Regular price June 8 - June 12:
Teams: $240 ($40 per paddler)
Small boats: $30
All youth and junior paddlers are FREE
NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER JUNE 12
(onsite registration will not be possible, all registrations must be completed online, this includes small boat races on Sunday)Webscorer Race Registration Link
All racers must be CORA members prior to registration. This includes SUP racers (a one-day registration fee is available on CORA website).
CORA REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ONSITE ON RACE DAY.
-
Saturday June 14
7:30 Registration Opens
8:30 Junior/Novice pre-race briefing
9:00 Junior/Novice start Spec boats
9:15 Junior/Novice start all other
10:15 Women’s pre-race briefing and K'ómoks FN welcome
10:45 Women’s start Spec boats
11:00 Women’s start all other boats
12:30 Mens pre-race briefing and Town of Comox welcome
1:00 Men’s start Spec boats
1:15 Men’s start all other boats
1:30 Junior/Novice and Women’s Awards and draw prizes
2:30 Mixed pre-race briefing
3:00 Mixed start Spec boats
3:15 Mixed start all other boats
3:30 Men’s race awards and draw prizes
5:00 Mixed race awards, draw prizes and special prize draws
5:15 Coaching forum start
Sunday June 15
9:30 Registration check-in
10:00 Pre-race briefing
10:30 Small boat, SUP race start
12:30 Awards
-
A coaching clinic is being offered by CORA, focused on club and crew coaches only. The clinic will be facilitated by Leanne Stanley and James Hill. The forum will have an open format, providing an opportunity for club and crew coaches to ask questions, discuss and share information about paddling technique and coaching strategies.
Time: Saturday 5:15-7:00 pm
Location: at race site
Cost: Free