The Event

Race Window

30 November to
3 December 2023

2023 will mark the seven time the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championship has been held since the first event in 2013. Paddle Australia is excited to be able to host the event for the first time in Australia.

2023 also marks the first time that all event race categories will be open to all members. This promises to be a massive event.

The 2023 event

The race will start at Bathers Beach, Fremantle. Bather’s beach is a renowned tourist attraction in the heart of Fremantle. Fremantle lies on a series of limestone hills at the mouth sof the Swan River, approximately 25 minutes from Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Many of the city’s most impressive heritage buildings are built from the pale-coloured local limestone. Fremantle has a rich history and connection with ocean sports, hosting the 1987 Americas Cup which was said to transform the face of Perth.

Fremantle (native indigenous name ‘Walyalup’) was named in TIME’s annual list of the World’s Greatest Places of 2022, which highlights 50 extraordinary travel destinations from around the globe. The port city earned its spot in this year’s list thanks to a $270 million renewal project. This once-in-a-generation project is transforming WA’s favourite port city into a vibrant commercial and community hub.

The city is also home to a rich maritime history – which can be discovered at the WA Maritime Museum, ideally located at Fremantle’s historic Victoria Quay. It houses several unique galleries that explore the moments, voyages, and vessels; plus, artifacts, people and stories that shaped Western Australia’s maritime relationship. This includes treasures such as Australia II, winner of the Americas Cup and an 89-meter-long submarine you can clamber through.
Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour is a fully operational fishing port since the early 1900s, today the harbour precinct also features boardwalks, cafes, restaurants and a brewery. Tucked between the WA Maritime Museum and Fishing Boat Harbour is Bathers Beach. Bathers Beach is where the rich heritage and vibrancy of Fremantle meets the ocean. It’s here you’ll find bars, cafe’s and restaurants and the oldest public building in Western Australia.

The race will finish at Scarborough beach. Scarborough beach is another beloved Perth beach. The beach itself has a long stretch of white sand and regular surf breaks, offering opportunity for competitors to test their skills in timing their entry to shore. There are many cafés, bars, restaurants and shops and a large range of accommodation from backpacker hostels, affordable family apartments to luxury hotels with ocean views, ensuring accommodation options for all competitors are available. Scarborough beach will also be used to establish an event hub which will undoubtedly facilitate a festive and community energy. Scarborough Beach is a 20-minute drive northwest of Perth and regular buses run from the city. Given the popularity of both the start and finish locations, this will offer organisers the opportunity to bring the sport to an entirely new audience, creating both spectator and media interest.

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