Join us for a day in honour of Norm MacDonell

Registration

5km Race: open to small boats (1-2 paddlers).

10km Race: open to outrigger canoes which are provided (spec only) or big canoes (more than 3 paddlers)

20km Race: open to small boats (1-2 paddlers)

Note: Race course may be subject to change at the Race Director’s discretion on race day. A mass start is planned (all race distances running simultaneously) however, this may change depending the number of boats registered by race day.

Registration is open online.  Big boats must be complete by April 5, 2026, and small boats by April 11, 2026, by 7:00 pm.

NOTE - when registering a team that has more than one person, you must go to the bottom of the registration form "Additional Guests" and add the number of additional paddlers on the team.  For example OC2 would be 1 additional guest, OC6 would be 5 additional guests.  

Registration desk opens at 8:30 am. Race Briefing 9:00 am. Race Start 9:30 am.

Questions? For more information:

Contact Mhairi - email: mmacdonell78@gmail.com 

Information Required with Registration:

Team name, #of paddlers, boat type, boat description, 5/10/20km, mens,  womens or mixed 

Fees:

Small boat (solo) $30

Small boat (tandem) $60

Big boats $20 x (# of paddlers in boat)

*Fees include light lunch - registration deadline: April 5, 2026, for big boats and April 11, 2026. by 7 pm for small boats. 

Race Rules:

• 1.     All racers must be CORA members.
• 2.     CORA race rules apply.
• 3.    All racers must sign a waiver. Download the waiver here, and hand in the signed waivers on race day - all team members must sign.
• 4.     All racers (or team captain) must pick up race package and check-in at registration desk at 8:30 to 8:45 am race day.
• 5.     Numbers to be worn on bow paddlers chest and stern paddlers back. Solo paddlers wear number on chest and back.
• 6.     All racers must attend the race briefing at 9:00 am race day.
• 7.     All racers supply or arrange for their own boat/PFD/paddle.  Note - OC 6 are provided.  

Awards:

Prizes for top solo, tandem and big boat

To qualify as a women(s) boat, all paddlers must be women. A team qualifies as men(s) when one or more paddler(s) is male.  A mixed team must be even between men and women or it is a men's team. 

Prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place (The number of prizes is one less than the number of boats competing in the race. Eg. if there are three boats in the race, 1st & 2nd place prizes will be awarded.)

Parking:

Please be aware that parking is limited on site and is not available in the adjacent parking lot (this must remain available for the public using the park). Please plan accordingly to allow time to drop off boat and find parking. Parking is available on some side streets and at Esquimalt Gorge Park. (Please do not park in the Il Greco parking lot).

Thank-you

Stormin' Norman Race Map

Stormin’ Norman Canoe Race Course Descriptions

5km – race is one loop: from Start Line proceed to marker B for a counter clockwise turn, then proceed to Finish Line.

10km – race is 2 loops: from Start Line proceed to marker B for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker A for a counter clockwise turn, then to B for a counter clockwise turn, proceed to Finish Line.

20km – race is 3 loops: from Start Line proceed to marker B for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker A for a counter clockwise turn, then proceed to marker C for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker D, pass with marker on left, then to marker E for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker D, pass with marker on right, then to marker C for a clockwise turn, then to marker F for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker C for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker A for a counter clockwise turn, then to marker B for a counter clockwise turn, then proceed to Finish Line.