The Dragon Run (Hong Kong)

[2026-02-20] Started in 2007, the Dragon Run quickly became a cornerstone of the World Surfski Series. It is a highly technical 24-kilometer race in the South China Sea. Paddlers start at Clearwater Bay, navigate the notoriously messy "reflector chop" off the Ninepins islands, catch downwind runs toward Cape D'Aguilar, and finish at Stanley Beach. The extreme heat and humidity add a brutal physical layer to the race. >>

Gorge Downwind Champs (Oregon, USA)

[2026-02-19] While newer than Molokai or Cape Point, the Gorge has instantly become a modern classic. Held on the Columbia River, the race relies on a unique wind-against-current phenomenon. The opposing forces stack the river into endless, deep, surfable waves. It is practically a week-long festival of downwind paddling that culminates in a highly competitive race. >>

Cape Point Challenge (Cape Town, South Africa)

[2026-02-19] Started in 1980 by local lifesavers looking to test their mettle, this is often dubbed the "World's Toughest One-Day Surfski Race." Depending on the course layout for the year, it covers around 50 to 54 kilometers. Paddlers typically start in Scarborough or Witsands, navigate around the iconic and turbulent Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point), and finish at Fish Hoek beach. Cold water, massive Atlantic swells, and gale-force South-Easterly winds make this a brutal test of endurance. >>

2026-06-15

Paddle sports event attracts hundreds to historic Hangzhou waterway

2026-06-12

Vaikobi joins ICF to foster global expansion of 2026 Canoe Ocean Racing World Series

2026-05-27

ICF applauds Queensland's bid for the 2030 World Paddle Games, anticipating a AUD$200 million economic boost