The City of Stirling has joined Paddle Australia as a principal partner to help secure the 2023 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships, making it the first time the World Championships will be held in Australian waters.
The City’s commitment of $120,000 in sponsorship and logistics support, coupled with the unique location and conditions offered along the 20km course from Bathers Beach in Fremantle to Scarborough, will attract competitors, tourists, and viewers from all over the world between 1 - 3 December 2023.
The World Championships will be the centrepiece of the 2023/24 summer season of events delivered to the local community, and puts the City of Stirling alongside previous host locations such as Tahiti (2015), Hong Kong (2017), France (2019), Spain (2021) and Portugal (2022).
Mayor Mark Irwin said continually being able to attract events of this calibre was further proof that Scarborough Beach foreshore is one of Australia’s most iconic destinations and provides a world class venue that delivers benefits to visitors and business.
“We are thrilled to be able to announce our support for the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships – which are expected to bring in just shy of $3 million in direct expenditure in the local economy, due mainly to the 16,000 nights of accommodation – as the signature event of the 2023/24 summer season,” Mayor Irwin said.
“The course will begin at Bathers Beach in Fremantle, taking advantage of the Fremantle Doctor breeze, coming to a climax at our iconic Scarborough Beach.
“The 2022/23 summer of sport was a series of blockbuster events and opportunities, with Perth Glory men’s and women’s team matches hosted at Macedonia Park in Balcatta, the 2023 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships held at Scarborough and Trigg, and two rounds of the 2023 BMX National Series, and it now looks like next summer will be just as exciting.”
Paddle Australia Chief Executive Officer Phil Jones estimated more than half of visitors to the World Championships will be international, and the unique conditions of the WA coastline will create opportunities international competitors rarely experience.
“The Perth coastline is renowned around the world as one of the best locations for downwind paddling, being home to one of the biggest ocean surf ski races - ‘The Doctor’ - which is a channel crossing from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach,” he said.
"This year’s Doctor will be held directly before the World Championships which will finish at Scarborough amphitheatre, because of the facilities and character the foreshore is becoming so well known.
“The three-day competition is aiming to attract 800 - 1,000 competitors from 30 countries around the world with an additional 1,000 visiting supporters. In 2022 participating countries included the USA, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Brazil, Singapore, South Africa, the UAE and many more, and we expect the 2023 event to continue to grow in this regard.
“Our Olympic and Paralympic programs at the recent Tokyo Olympic Games alone produced four gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal, with household names such as Jess Fox and Curtis McGrath among our ranks.
“With such a proud history at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Paddle Australia is committed to working with today’s champions and tomorrow’s stars, as we also aim to unearth the next generation of talent as part of the green and gold runway to Brisbane 2032.
“We are thrilled to partner with the City of Stirling to deliver this event. The City’s investment will ensure the delivery of a successful opening ceremony, athlete’s village, water safety and first aid support, transport and volunteer support.”
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