Building Olympic dreams and lifelong paddlers since 1991
A passionate community dedicated to the sport of sprint canoe and kayak
Richmond Hill Canoe Club is a Sprint Canoe and Kayak Racing Club, affiliated with CanoeKayak Ontario and CanoeKayak Canada. We are a non-profit organization operated by an elected Board of volunteers, with a paid professional head coach and a team of experienced junior coaches.
Founded in 1991, our club has grown from a small group of passionate paddlers to one of Ontario's premier canoe and kayak training centers. We train at Lake Wilcox, located just west of Bayview Avenue between Stouffville and Bloomington Roads.
We provide programs for all levels, from beginners discovering the sport to elite athletes representing Canada on the world stage. Within CanoeKayak Canada, we are part of the Western Ontario Division, competing and training at the highest levels.
Training at one of Ontario's most beautiful paddling locations
Our home base at Lake Wilcox offers ideal conditions for sprint canoe and kayak training. The lake provides a protected environment with excellent water conditions for athletes of all levels.
Location: Lake Wilcox, Oak Ridges
Address: West of Bayview Ave, between Stouffville and Bloomington Roads
Experience the thrill of one of the most exciting Olympic disciplines. From recreational paddling to elite competition, discover a sport that combines explosive power with refined skill.
Canada has won 24 Olympic medals in sprint canoe & kayak since 1936
An Olympic discipline combining strength, technique, and raw speed
Sprint CanoeKayak is all about speed on the water – strength, technique, balance, endurance and raw speed are all elements of this impressive Olympic discipline. Athletes usually specialize in either Canoe or Kayak within a couple of years of starting the sport.
Typically races are 200m, 500m or 1000m, and are run for each of men's and women's canoe and kayak, in singles (C-1 and K-1), doubles (C-2 and K-2), and fours (C-4 and K-4), by age group. Some regattas also have a War Canoe (C-15) which pulls together youth from across genders and ages in a fun but competitive team event.
It's a sport that uses the entire body, including the core and legs to generate power for every stroke. Elite athletes train for hours each week on the water, in the gym and through a variety of cross-training activities to be in peak physical condition.
But Sprint Canoe/Kayak is not only a sport for elite athletes. It is a sport for life, enjoyed by kids as young as 7-8 and Masters paddlers into their 80s.
We train hundreds of young athletes each year, building confidence, discipline, and a love for the sport. Many of our youth paddlers go on to compete at provincial and national levels.
Our Dragon Boat and War Canoe programs bring together paddlers of all ages and backgrounds for fun, fitness, and friendly competition. Team paddling builds camaraderie and community spirit.
Through our Special Olympics partnership and adaptive programs, we ensure that paddling is accessible to everyone. We believe the water belongs to all who wish to explore it.
Help us continue building champions and fostering a love for paddling
As a non-profit organization, Richmond Hill Canoe Club relies on the generous support of sponsors and volunteers to operate our programs and support our athletes. With over 60 athletes competing at regional, national, and international levels, your sponsorship makes a real difference in helping young paddlers achieve their dreams.
Discover your paddling journey with Richmond Hill Canoe Club
