Five New Zealand ocean ski racers have secured spots on the team heading to Spain this October for the 2026 Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in La Vila Joiosa, marking another strong showing for the country’s ski racing programme on the international stage.
Grace Richardson leads the junior contingent in the Women’s SS1 class, while Julia Padrutt represents the U23 women’s bracket in the same discipline. Rebecca Cole and Gene Prato have been selected across multiple events, competing in both the Open Men’s and Women’s SS1 classes alongside the Open Mixed SS2 boat, offering tactical flexibility for the New Zealand team.
Ron Cole rounds out the squad in the Masters (60+) Men SS1 category, continuing a strong tradition of veteran paddlers flying the flag for New Zealand at world championships.
The October event in Spain will provide a crucial testing ground ahead of major competition cycles, with the ocean ski community watching closely to see how New Zealand’s squad performs against traditional powerhouses in European waters.
