Fortaleza to host first Latin American stage of Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup

Fortaleza hosts first Latin American Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup

The vibrant city of Fortaleza, Brazil, is set to host the next stage of the Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup Series on September 20th and 21st. This historic event marks the global circuit's first venture into Latin America, integrated into the renowned MolokaBRA festival, now in its eighth edition as a premier wind and open-water sports gathering in the Americas.

Athletes will navigate a challenging 30-kilometer downwind surfski course along the picturesque Ceará coastline, starting at Praia do Náutico (Vibe Va’a Canoeing Base) and finishing at Meka Beach Club on Cumbuco Beach.

Elite paddlers gather in Brazil

The event will showcase a strong field of national and international talent. Brazilian male paddlers include Alexandre Ferreira, Wagner Pecoraro, and Roberto Maehler from Rio de Janeiro; Guto Campos and Fabio Demarchi from Santa Catarina; plus reigning national champion Ariel Alves and José Marcos.

International competitors feature South Africa's Mark Kelling (former junior world champion), the United States' Nick Murray, Morocco's A. Jabbour, and Argentinian Canoe Marathon specialists Maurício and Rodrigo Caffa.

In the women's category, Brazil will be represented by São Paulo athletes Ariela Pinto, Mari Mariel, and Bruna Liborio.

Community pride and future prospects

Veteran paddler Washington Igor Cruz, with two decades in expedition ocean canoeing, views hosting a World Cup stage in Brazil with immense pride. He explained that MolokaBRA had long sought this recognition from Paddle Worldwide, believing a World Cup was inevitable and even a World Championships possible in the future.

Rubens Pompeu, CBCa Vice-President, anticipates a technically strong competition crucial for the sport's growth. He highlighted this as a...

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