Noemie Fox and Lucien Delfour (below) in action at the 2025 Australian Open.  Photos by Noel Rowsell

AUSTRALIAN and international Canoe Slalom paddlers have busy two weekends in February, contesting the Penrith Open on 13-15th and Australian Open from 20-22nd – both events being held at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium.

Both events are listed as 2026 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Slalom World Ranking Races, meaning paddlers will earn their ICF world ranking points in Canoe, Kayak and Kayak Cross events for the upcoming international season.

The provisional race lists show 40 Australian men and 17 Australian women in the Men’s Kayak (MK1) and Women’s Kayak (WK1) events respectively, with the top-ranked local paddlers being Lucien Delfour, Tim Anderson, Kate Eckhardt and Noemie Fox OAM.

There are 31 Australian men and 13 Australian women in the Men’s Canoe (MC1) and Women’s Canoe (WC1) events respectively, with the highest-ranked local paddlers being Tristan Carter, Kaylen Bassett, Noemie Fox OAM and Kate Eckhardt.

These two competitions also incorporate selection trials for the Australian Senior, Under 23 and Junior National Teams.

Men’s and Women’s Canoe Heats and Finals will be held on Friday 13th, Kayak on Saturday 14th and Kayak Cross on Sunday 15th February.

Jessica Fox OAM is back in training but will not be competing in either the Penrith or Australian Open events. Richard Fox MBE said, “Jess has been back in training for a few months now and will pick up racing later in the year, as the World Cups get underway at the end of May/early June. She is tracking well and currently with the IOC (at the Winter Olympics) at Milano Cortina.

More details on the Penrith Open are available at https://paddlepenrith.com.au/2026-penrith-open/