European Championship
Brest / Ploudalmézeau – FRANCE
August 26 to 30, 2026
Brest region
At the western edge of Europe, where the continent gives way to the Atlantic Ocean, Brest opens onto one of the continent's largest and most diverse maritime territories. Here, the sea is not just a backdrop: it is a force, a history, a source of expertise, and a demanding playground.
Hosting the European Ocean Racing Championship in Brest means placing this sporting event at the heart of a region where sailing naturally interacts with nature, science, and human adventure. It means offering competitors a challenging and predictable stretch of water, true to the spirit of ocean racing: autonomy, understanding of the environment, humility, and commitment.
From August 26 to 30, 2026, Brest will welcome Europe's kayaking community to a region where every stroke of the paddle is part of a long maritime history, between land and ocean.
The organizers
The 2026 European Ocean Racing Championships are being organized by two major players in the world of canoeing and kayaking in Brittany: the Canoë Kayak Club Brestois and L’Estran Ploudalmézeau. Based in northern Finistère, these two clubs share the same culture of the sea, sporting commitment, and passing on knowledge.
Recognized as clubs that train high-level ocean racing competitors, they have been supporting top athletes on national and international circuits for many years. Their joint work is based on in-depth knowledge of the marine environment, the demanding ocean conditions off the coast of Brittany, and a rigorous approach to training and safety.
For the past four years, the Canoë Kayak Club Brestois and Estran Ploudalmézeau have co-organized the Breizh Ocean Race, an international race that has become a benchmark in the ocean racing calendar. Every year, this event brings together leading athletes and demonstrates the two clubs' ability to design, structure, and secure large-scale competitions in open sea environments.
Building on this shared experience, their complementary strengths, and their strong regional roots, the two clubs are fully committed to organizing the 2026 European Ocean Racing Championship, with the ambition of delivering a high-level, demanding sporting event that stays true to the spirit of ocean racing and the maritime identity of northern Finistère.
