Official Qualification Race Format for 2026 Singapore IVF World Sprint Championships
- vaaassociationsing
- Dec 23, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Singapore will conduct 2 separate sprint racing events in 2026 as part of the selection process for the International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Sprint Championships, taking place 17th–31st August 2026 at Marina Bay, Singapore.
Both events will be managed and officiated by Va’a Association Singapore in accordance with the rules and guidelines of the International Va’a Federation.
Elite Selection Time Trials, 7th–8th February 2026 : Will serve as the first qualification event to determine the individual and crew paddlers representing Singapore.
Singapore National Championships (Club Crew Selection), April 2026 : For the Club Championships component, Singapore may enter up to 6 clubs at the IVF World Sprint Championships. Each club is permitted to enter multiple crews within the same race category.
👉 This article outlines the race formats and distances for the Elite Selection Time Trials, the first sprint competition of the 2026 season.
Expected race format & distances
Elite Selection Time Trials, 7-8th Feb 2026
On V1 (V1 Selection Representing Singapore)
Distance: 500m (straight)
Categories:
Male & Female
Open, 40+, 50+, 60+, 70+
On OC1 (Singapore Elite Selection in V6 and V12 teams)
Distance: 500m (straight)
Categories for each V6 and V12 teams :
Male & Female
Junior Women and Men under 16 and under 19, Elite Women, Elite Men, Elite Para (Mixed)
National Championships (Club Crew Selection), Apr 2026 :
Entries:
Up to 6 club teams per category
A club may qualify more than one crew in the same category
V6 – Club Category
Distance: 1,000m with turns
Turn at 250m (3 turns total)
Crew: Club-selected crews (no OC1 requirement)
Categories:
Male & Female
Open, 40+, 50+, 60+, 70+
V12 – Club Category
Distance: 500m (straight)
Crews : Club-selected crews (no OC1 requirement)
Categories:
Male & Female
Open, 40+, 50+, 60+, 70+
Key Clarifications (FAQs)
Do club paddlers all need to paddle OC1 to qualify for the Worlds ?
➜ No. OC1 is only to determine the crews for country representation (Elite) on V6 and V12.
Can clubs just enter for IVF World Sprints Championships ? ➜ No. There is an official process strictly managed by the International Va'a Federation which stipulated each countries to run their own qualification races.
