Seattle's Green Lake Welcomes Return of Sprint National Championships - ACA
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Aug 19, 2025

Seattle’s Green Lake Welcomes Return of Sprint National Championships

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Seattle, WA – August 2025 — Paddlers from across the country gathered at Green Lake in Seattle, Washington, for the 2025 Sprint National Championships, hosted by the Seattle Canoe Kayak Club. Over 270 athletes representing 18 clubs raced for national titles, historic trophies, and a place in sprint paddling history.This year marked a return to Green Lake for Nationals for the first time since 2012. Athletes and spectators alike enjoyed racing from the Seattle Canoe Kayak Club’s newly completed boathouse, just opened in 2024.

Olympians Inspire Next Generation

One of the most exciting aspects of the regatta was the participation of world-class athletes, including Olympians past and present who raced side-by-side with juniors and club paddlers. The field featured:

  • Greg Barton (Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club), four-time Olympic medalist and legend of U.S. paddling
  • Fernando Jorge (Cojimar Fire Paddling Club), Olympic gold medalist
  • Sandor Tótka, two-time Olympic medalist from Hungary
  • Maggie Hogan (Bellingham Canoe & Kayak Sprint Team), U.S. Olympian and mentor to young paddlers
  • Dennis Van Valkenburgh (Washington Canoe Club), U.S. Olympian

Their presence brought inspiration and excitement to the event, offering the next generation a rare opportunity to race with and learn from the best in the world.

Club Standings

The Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team (GHCKRT) won the combined team points competition, securing the prestigious Yonkers Trophy as overall National Champions with 1,314 points.

  • 1st – GHCKRT (WA) – 1,314 points
  • 2nd – Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club (GA) – 1,119.75 points
  • 3rd – Seattle Canoe Kayak Club (WA) – 601 points

Other top-performing clubs included Bellingham Canoe Kayak Sprint Team (WA) (4th, 583.25 pts), Southeast Paddle Sports (5th, 569 pts), and IKAIKA (HI) (6th, 253 pts).

National Trophy & Award Highlights

In addition to individual races, Nationals also celebrated club achievements across all age groups and disciplines with a series of historic trophies:

  • Yonkers Trophy (Overall National Champions) – Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team 
  • Columbia-Murphy Trophy (Bantam Team Points) – Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team 
  • Thomas Horton Trophy (Juvenile Team Points) – Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team 
  • Black Anvil Trophy (Junior Team Points) – Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team
  • Washington Canoe Club Trophy (Senior Team Points) – Bellingham Canoe Kayak Sprint Team
  • Jack Blendinger Trophy (Masters Team Points) – Southeast Paddle Sports
  • Coach Bill Bragg Trophy (C4 Team Points) – Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team 
  • Chris Barlow Trophy (Men’s K4 Team Points) –  Bellingham Canoe & Kayak Sprint Team
  • Alan Anderson Trophy (Women’s K4 Team Points) – Bellingham Canoe & Kayak Sprint Team

Individual Performance Awards

  • Francine Fox Award – Zoe Rice (River Town) – K1 500m U16 Women
  • Mimi LeBeau Memorial Award – Ellie Scoggins (Bellingham) – K1 500m U18 Women
  • Andy Toro Award – Benjamin Ciaccio (GHCKRT) – C1 200m U18 Men
  • Greg Barton Award – Finn Connell (Cascade) – K1 1000m U18 Men
  • Donald Dodge Memorial Award – Finn Connell (Cascade) – K1 1000m Senior Men
  • Eugene & Henry Krawczyk Award – Colin McMullen (OKCRS) & Walker Peck (LCKC) – K2 500m Senior Men
  • The Barton Bellingham Award – Karl Sorocco & Colin McMullen (OKCRS) – K2 1000m Senior Men
  • Eric Feicht Memorial Award – Royal McDonnell, Caleb Collins, Walker Peck, Aaron Mullican (LCKC) – K4 500m Senior Men
  • Marcia Smoke Award – Ana Swetish (Bellingham) – K1 500m Senior Women
  • K4 500 Senior Women Champions – Ana Swetish, Abby Scoggins, Ellie Scoggins, Maggie Hogan (Bellingham)
  • Frank Havens Award – Fernando Jorge (Cojimar Fire Paddling Club) – C1 5000m Senior Men
  • Nancy Kalafus Award – Malia Terry-Voisard (San Diego Sprint Paddling Club) – C1 500m U16 Women
  • Deborah Smith Page Burgee Award – Malia Terry-Voisard (San Diego Sprint Paddling Club) – C1 500m U18 Women
  • Jim Terrell Award – Fernando Jorge (Cojimar Fire Paddling Club) – C1 1000m Senior Men
  • Debbie Page Trophy (Para Points Leader) – Brenden Duncan (GHCKRT)

View all results.

A Celebration of U.S. Sprint Paddling

The championships highlighted the future of the sport, with breakout performances from juniors and bantams, as well as seasoned athletes at the senior and masters level. Green Lake proved to be a fast and spirited venue, with athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and national pride.

The ACA extends its thanks to the Seattle Canoe Kayak Club, officials, volunteers, Olympians, and all attending clubs for making the 2025 Sprint National Championships a memorable event.