Zhik Named Official Technical Apparel Partner for 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships

We are thrilled to share that Zhik, a global leader in high-performance marine and paddle gear, has been named the official technical apparel partner for the 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.

The prestigious event will take place from July 20 to 25, 2026, at the world-class RIVERSPORT venue in Oklahoma City, marking the first time the championships have returned to North America in over a decade.

Supporting the Team Behind the Scenes

Building on the success of the 2025 Championships in Penrith, Australia, Zhik will once again outfit the massive team of volunteers, officials, and staff keeping the six-day competition moving. Zhik has collaborated closely with RIVERSPORT management to engineer a custom apparel package specifically tailored to withstand the demanding conditions of the Oklahoma City climate.

Expanding US Paddle Presence

This landmark partnership highlights Zhik’s rapid expansion into the US paddle sports market. It follows another major milestone earlier this year, where Zhik was named the official apparel partner for the American Canoe Association (ACA) national teams through the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

During the six-day event, Zhik will also showcase its latest paddle apparel and product innovations, giving athletes, officials, and spectators an exclusive look at the brand's newest technical gear.

Industry Insights

"We're excited to kit out the team behind the scenes... This opportunity to work again with the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships allows us to bring our commitment to performance, innovation and the paddle community to life."— Johnny Rodgers, Head of Marketing, Partnerships and Global Sponsorship at Zhik

"Zhik understands our sport and our community. Their commitment to innovation and delivering a first-class experience makes them a natural partner as we welcome the world's best canoe slalom athletes to Oklahoma City."— Chris Sorensen, Executive Director at RIVERSPORT

As a proud distributor, we are excited to see Zhik continue to set the standard for technical excellence on the world stage. Stay tuned for updates on when the latest Zhik paddle innovations featured at the games will hit our inventory shelves!