VIGEVANO, October 23, 2019 - The International Canoe Federation (ICF) is the governing body for all sports involving boats and paddles. Of these sports, canoe sprint and canoe slalom have long featured at the Summer Olympics. In recent years however canoeing has become much more diverse and now, with its non-Olympic disciplines, ranks among the fastest growing water sports today.

It is therefore apt that the ICF’s guiding principle is always moving forward. Not only does it reflect the direction boats are propelled in but also the constant developments over the past decade. Events in various disciplines around the world have enhanced its image as a modern, dynamic sport for both athletes and spectators alike. Whether competitive or recreational, canoeing in a natural environment is becoming increasingly attractive.

Always moving forward also embodies the passion and dedication of all the athletes training at a professional level. Having taken advanced materials on board, their canoe sprint times are now even faster than those achieved with comparable rowing boats.

What is more, the speed they move at makes the sport fascinating and extremely exciting for viewers. In canoe slalom there are more and more top athletes whose times lie within a few hundredths of a second. This goes to show how stiff the competition is and how far technique has generally improved. 

In addition to making it easier to organise events, electronics, video, the internet, etc. have also speeded up results display with split times for the public and media. This has provided journalists with the best possible material for television, YouTube, social media, etc., as was already in evidence at the London and Rio Olympics. Further improvements are in the pipeline for Tokyo 2020. All the world championships in 2019 attached great importance to catering for the media. Indeed, the facilities for journalists at the canoe events were ideal.

Always moving forward is also taken into account in the competition schedule for the Olympic disciplines. In canoe slalom the men’s doubles event has been discontinued in favour of the women’s singles. To compensate for this change, the ICF has been promoting the mixed canoe doubles at the world championships. Women’s races have also replaced some of the men’s in canoe sprint. Competitive canoeing has thus seen a move towards greater gender equality.

Given that canoeing is an outdoor sport where clean, safe conditions are essential, climate and environmental protection are top priority at the world championships. Paddle sports’ low impact on the water add to their current appeal.

Always moving forward has also meant that new non-Olympic disciplines are being recognised in canoeing. These categories are taking the sport to a new level worldwide. In 2019 the first world championships staged by the ICF in stand up paddling (SUP) will be held in Qingdao/China. Other popular disciplines include rafting, white water regatta (sprint and long distance) on rivers and canoe freestyle (where, similar to snowboard events, points are awarded for tricks and flips on a set water feature).

World championships in extreme kayak slalom singles took place for the first time on the artificial white water course in Prague/Czech Republic this year. Like in snowboard and ski cross races, four athletes slide at the same time off a high ramp into the white water and paddle through gates to the finish. The first two qualifying go through to the next round.

Paralympic events now include canoeing in flat water. Adapted kayaks and canoes help to attract many newcomers to this paddle sport, making it more inclusive.

Following the tradition of racing outrigger boats in open water off Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, there are now world championships in canoe ocean racing. Special surf kayaks have also given rise to spectacular events where athletes ride the waves. With surfing set to become Olympic in Tokyo, this sport will also gain in popularity globally. World championships in canoe marathon (distance approx. 20 km) round off the main sprint events.

China has a long history of dragon boat races. Nowadays, crews of 10 or 20 paddle to the beat of a drum over a set distance. This team sport has also taken Europe by storm in recent years and the International Canoe Federation has responded by organising world championships.

The ICF has also officially recognised canoe sailing as a discipline with its own special boats and world championships.

Now that the Canoe Federation encompasses such a wide range of paddle sports, we journalists should also be inspired to move forward and give canoeing appropriate coverage.