The 5th JOCA CUP – The 5th All Japan Outrigger Canoe Championship

Join us at Zushi Beach on May 23–24, 2026, and be part of this year’s JOCA CUP.

RACE PROGRAM

1.Middle distance 5mile: Saturday 23rd May
CLASS: OC6 Women, Men, Mixed, OC4,KIDS

2.Long distance 10mile: Sunday 24th May
CLASS: OC6 Women, Men, Mixed

International Teams at The 5th JOCA CUP
May 23–24, 2026 | Zushi Beach, Japan

The 5th JOCA CUP – All Japan Outrigger Canoe Championship will take place on May 23–24, 2026, at beautiful Zushi Beach, Japan.

This year, we are pleased to welcome teams from Japan and overseas to Zushi Bay for two days of outrigger canoe racing, cultural exchange, and ocean spirit.

As Japan’s premier outrigger canoe championship, the JOCA CUP brings together paddlers from across the country and beyond in a competitive yet welcoming ocean racing environment. More than a race, the event serves as a platform for international exchange, shared learning, and the promotion of ocean safety.

The 5th JOCA CUP
The 5th All Japan Outrigger Canoe Championship

Event Name The 5th JOCA CUP / The 5th All Japan Outrigger Canoe Championship
Purpose To promote the appeal of outrigger canoeing and raise awareness of ocean safety through competition.
Dates Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 24, 2026
Location Zushi Beach
Event Headquarters: East side of Zushi Beach
Start / Finish: Inside Zushi Bay
Organizer Japan Outrigger Canoe Association
https://www.joca.ne.jp
Supporting Organizations Zushi City / Kamakura City / Hayama Town / Zushi Marine Association / NPO Coast Club / Japan Lifesaving Association

Event Partners

Wailea Canoe Club JAPAN / Ohana Hoe Outrigger Canoe Club / Holokai Outrigger Canoe Club KANSAI / Suruga Bay Outrigger Canoe Club / Beach Hayama / Mokupuni Paddling Club / BEACH BUM PADDLERS / Kotsubo Fisheries Cooperative Association / Zushi Marina / Hayama Port

Event Sponsors

Koyo Machinery Industry Co., Ltd. / Kamakura Beer Brewing Co., Ltd. / Helly Hansen / Patagonia / PADDLER / Pukalani / SORA HONEY / NUREX.,Co.Ltd

Race Divisions

Day 1 | Saturday, May 23

  • Kids 1 mile (approx. 1.6 km): Course within Zushi Bay
  • Middle Distance 5 mile (approx. 8 km): OC6 (Women / Men / MIX) + OC4

Day 2 | Sunday, May 24

  • Long Distance 10 mile (approx. 16 km): OC6 (Women / Men / MIX)

Class Definitions

  • Kids: Elementary school aged students only
  • Masters: Athletes aged 50 or above
  • OPEN: No age restrictions
  • OC6 Mixed: A crew composed of 3 men and 3 women
  • OC4: No restrictions based on gender
* Unlimited and V6 canoes are not allowed for competition.
* Event details are subject to change.

Event Schedule (TBC)

Day 1 | Saturday, May 23
Time Program
8:00-9:00 Registration
8:15 Beach Cleanup
9:00 Opening Ceremony and Guest Remarks
9:30 Event Briefing
10:00 HEAT 1: 1 mile (1.6 km) Kids / Junior * Course within Zushi Bay
10:30 Awards Ceremony for Kids / Junior only
11:00 HEAT 2: 5 mile (8 km) OC6 Women’s OPEN / Masters / OC6 Mixed Masters / OC4
12:30 HEAT 3: 5 mile (8 km) OC6 Mixed OPEN
14:00 HEAT 4: 5 mile (8 km) OC6 Men’s OPEN / Master
Day 2 | Sunday, May 24
Time Program
8:00 Registration
8:30 Race Briefing
9:00 HEAT 5: 10 mile (16 km) OC6 Women’s OPEN / Master
11:00 HEAT 6: 10 mile (16 km) OC6 Mixed OPEN / Master
13:00 HEAT 7: 10 mile (16 km) OC6 Men’s OPEN / Master
15:30 Awards Ceremony
16:30 After Party
* The race schedule and course are subject to change depending on race-day conditions, weather, entry status, or other operational factors.

Access

The event headquarters will be set up near the “Season of the Sun Monument” on the east side of Zushi Beach. All participants must check in at the headquarters.

Race Guidelines

You can find the details in the Race Guidelines.
The course map is also included, so please be sure to review it.

Race Guidelines.pdfdownload

Requests and Information for Participants

To ensure that all participants can enjoy a safe and smooth event, please be sure to review the following information together with the official race guidelines.
Some items require the cooperation of each team, and we sincerely appreciate your understanding and support in helping us operate the event safely and efficiently.

1)Equipment and Supplies

  • Preparation of Life Jackets / PFDs
    For safety purposes, each canoe is required to have life jackets / PFDs for the number of paddlers on board. Teams bringing their own canoes are asked to bring enough life jackets / PFDs for all paddlers.
    If your canoe will be used by another team on the event day, we kindly ask for your cooperation in lending life jackets / PFDs together with the canoe.
    Teams participating with borrowed canoes are also encouraged to bring their own life jackets / PFDs whenever possible.
    Please note that the number of rental life jackets / PFDs available from the organizer is limited.

2)Loading In / Loading Out

  • Protection for Canoes When Bringing Them Ashore
    When bringing your canoe ashore, each team is responsible for preparing the necessary materials to protect and secure their own canoe.
    On the event day, the organizer plans to provide only one tire per canoe.
    Any additional protective or securing materials required should be prepared by each team.

3)Race-Day Check-in / Registration

  • Identification Documents
    Participants in the Masters Class will be asked to confirm their age.
    Please be sure to bring a document that can verify your age, such as an ID card, on the event day.
  • Participation Gifts
    Participation gifts will be distributed one per participant.
    Please note that even if you are entered in multiple races, only one participation gift will be provided per person.

4)Race Information

  • We are currently preparing the rulebook.
    Thank you for your patience.

5)After Party

  • Participation Fee
    The after-party fee will be collected at check-in on the same day.
  • Wristbands at Check-in
    Wristbands will be distributed at check-in. Please be sure to receive yours.
    The wristband will be required to confirm your participation in the after party, so please take care not to lose it.

6)Event Status / Weather Decisions

  • Schedule Changes Due to Weather and Ocean Conditions
    The event dates and schedule may be changed depending on weather and ocean conditions.
    If any changes are made, updates will be posted on the association website.
    All participants are kindly requested to check the latest information on the website before and on the day of the event.

Tournament Organizer: Japan Outrigger Canoe Association info@joca.ne.jp
Representative Director: Mitsuru OBANA
Director: Kenji KINOSHITA
Director: Fujio KOBAYASHI