OETZ TROPHY TO HOST THE 2026 SPRINT EXTREME KAYAK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Oetz Trophy is returning to the Wellerbrücke this September and will host the 2026 AWP Sprint Extreme Kayak World Championships! From September 17th to 20th, the Ötztal Valley will once again welcome kayakers from around the world to compete on this legendary stretch of river during a four-day whitewater festival. With a program designed for everyone, including a Boater Cross on the slalom course, a film screening, live music, and community runs on the Ötztaler Ache, the event is set to be another unforgettable celebration of whitewater kayaking.
The event was awarded this week the privilege of hosting the AWP Sprint Extreme Kayak World Championships. Earlier this year, the North Fork Championship, taking place next week on Idaho’s Payette River, had been announced as the host of the AWP Extreme Kayak World Championships. However, the championship designation was later reassigned by the AWP after disagreements over the application of some of the association’s rules, including the use of boats longer than the AWP’s 9-foot limit and the pre-selection of athletes for the finals.
« No matter the official titles attached to them, both events remain legendary in the world of extreme kayaking. »
Interestingly, the AWP introduced new categories within its Extreme Kayak World Championships this year, and the Oetz Trophy will host the Sprint category, recognizing races of roughly one minute in duration and without directional gates, which would not apply to the NFC with its Giant Slalom format in finals. It is important to note that, despite the championship designation, the Oetz Trophy and the North Fork Championships remain quite distinct, with different formats and styles of whitewater.
And no matter the official titles attached to them, both events remain legendary in the world of extreme kayaking, drawing paddlers from around the globe to race on two of the sport’s most iconic courses. And whether one carries an AWP title or not, both can claim to being world championships in their own way.
