Challenge Cups

Challenge Cup races are designed to increase competition among teams from local industry or community groups. If you choose to enter a Challenge Cup you will be grouped with similar teams for the first race of the weekend. If there are more than 8 teams in a Challenge Cup your afternoon race will serve as the Challenge Cup Final. Entering a Challenge Cup does not increase the number of times a team will race.

For the purpose of Challenge Cups please indicate the Challenge Cup your team would like to enter. Challenge Cup Teams must have a minimum of 9 people racing from the designated cup category. For example, if you are entering the High Tech Challenge your team must have a minimum of 9* paddlers who are employed with the High Tech organization the team represents or work in the High Tech industry.

The Challenge Cups listed below are existing Challenge Races. A Challenge Cup race will only run if there are three (3) or more teams for that particular category. If you are unsure about which category you qualify for please contact the Festival Office.

* Some cups require that the entire crew meet the criteria. These cups are marked with an asterisk.

Breast Cancer Survivors* – teams whose members are breast cancer survivors.

Building & Development - teams representing companies whose major business involves construction, project development, engineering consultants, building materials, etc.

Competitive – teams who consider themselves competitive and/or engage in 10 or more practices throughout the year.

Education – teams whose members attend or work for educational institutions, administration, or associated parent advisory associations.

Embassies & Foreign Missions – teams whose members work for embassies or foreign missions, or immigrant services or associated community associations.

Financial Services - teams representing companies or institutions providing financial services (Banks, Trust Companies, Investment, Insurance, Mortgage Brokers, etc.)

Girls n' Women and Sport* – Recreational women’s teams only.

Government – teams whose members work for federal, provincial or municipal governments.

High Tech - teams representing companies whose major business is the production of computer software and hardware, system interfaces, etc.

Health Care & Ambulance Services – teams whose members work for hospitals, medical clinics, ambulance services, or medical or dental offices.

Hospitality & Tourism - teams representing companies whose major business is providing hospitality or tourism services, accommodation or meals.

Legal - teams representing companies whose employees include lawyers, para-legals, etc.

Media - teams representing companies whose major business is television, radio or print (i.e. newspapers, magazines) production.

Police & Fire Fighters – teams whose members work for police forces, services or associations, or fire fighters, services or associations.

Professional Services - teams representing companies or businesses providing services in accounting, law, or associations.

40 and Over* – teams made up of men and/or women who are all over the age of 40

PLEASE NOTE: A team may only select ONE challenge cup category.