Competition
COMPETING IN USA Canoe Ocean Racing
ICF Canoe Ocean Racing (COR) is a paddlesports discipline combining the thrill of competition with the beauty and power of the sea. In ocean racing, competitors traverse open water courses using long, sleek, sit-on-top kayaks known as surfskis. Often made of fiberglass, kevlar, and/or carbon fiber, surfskis are ultralight, watertight, self-bailing craft capable of handling even the most extreme ocean conditions.
Whether you’re an experienced open water paddler or just beginning to explore ocean racing, the USA surfski paddling community welcomes you. Races range from short “around the cans” buoy races, to winding river adventures, to exhilarating downwind runs, to challenging long-distance events, accommodating all levels of skill and ambition.
And, as part of the ICF’s global network of 170+ national federations, the ACA facilitates opportunities for paddlers to compete in high-caliber international ocean racing events as part of the USA Canoe Ocean Racing Team.
Sound like fun to you? Join the movement today, and ride the wave!
The ACA Ocean Racing Committee has launched the 2024 USA Canoe Ocean Racing (COR) National Series experiment to encourage ocean racing competition production and participation in the USA and provide the community with a nation-level perspective on our sport.
Head over to the National Series page to check out the latest athlete rankings, and if you're a competition organizer consider submitting your results to be factored into the standings!
Looking for a bit of competition? Check out the USA COR Race Calendar! Interested in attending the Pan American Continental Championships and/or the ICF World Championships as a member of the USA COR National Team? Let us know, and consider participating in at least one of the noted benchmark competitions to get a feel for ICF-spec ocean racing!