ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee activities Q1 2025

Productive meetings 

Between January and March 2025, the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee held a total of three online meetings and one in-person meeting. The face-to-face meeting in Hangzhou, China was especially productive, attended by Chair Marian Sârbu and committee members David Szlachta, Alexandro Agüera and Raymond Lo Ho Yin. All four of us also attended the first ICF Paddle Summit which was an opportunity to understand the direction and the strategy of the ICF.

Strategic developments and future direction

An exciting milestone was reached with the development of a new multi-year strategy to further grow and professionalise our discipline.

Key proposals discussed include: 

- Introduction of two new events:

• A short distance race for seniors and U23 athletes 
• A relay race for juniors 

These events aim to enhance visibility, attract broader participation —particularly among juniors — and introduce new medal opportunities for athletes. These events will be tested first at the World Cups in 2025 and 2026 before we decide to include them in the official program of the World Championships. 

- Establishment of a World Cup Series:

• A target of organising five World Cup races annually was set, forming a unified World Cup Series culminating in an annual overall winner. 

- Reintroduction of the World Ranking Points System:

• A structured points system will be reinstated to determine an annual World Ranking Points Winner. 

- Training and education initiatives:

• Discussed was the implementation of the TIP (Talent Identification Programme) knowledge transfer to benefit athlete development in emerging nations. 
• Work has begun on the creation of a new Canoe Ocean Racing coaching manual, providing standardised guidance for coaches worldwide. 

- Inclusion and accessibility:

• The possibility of formally introducing para-canoe events into the World Championship programme was reviewed. 

- Rules review:

• A set of rule amendments is being drafted to align with both the evolving needs of the discipline and the overarching direction of the ICF.  
• For some of these rules we will consult with the National Federation and with the stakeholders. 

- Pursuit of multi-sport event inclusion:

•  As part of the ICF’s broader strategic goal of integrating into multi-sport events, initial efforts have begun to include Canoe Ocean Racing in Regional Games: 
• Chair Marian Sârbu attended an online meeting with representatives from Central America and the Caribbean, where he presented the Canoe Ocean Racing discipline and formally expressed the intent to include Canoe Ocean Racing in the Central American and Caribbean Games. 
• Further discussions are planned with the organisers of the 2027 Mediterranean Beach Games. 

Committee and governance updates

At the recent Board of Directors meeting approval was given to expand the Canoe Ocean Racing Committee with the inclusion of one member in Anne Cairns of Samoa and one advisor in Eduardo Peixinho of Portugal. Chair Marian Sârbu has already conducted an online onboarding meeting with both, ensuring continuity and alignment.

Event calendar and approvals 

The ICF Board also approved two World Cup events for 2025: 

• Eurochallenge – Villajoyosa, Spain 
• Race One – La Réunion 

- Negotiations are in an advanced stage with the Chinese Canoe Association regarding the organisation of a third World Cup event in China.

- The official list of referees for the 2025 World Championships in Durban has been completed, approved and published on the ICF website

Ongoing coordination and engagement

Two constructive online meetings have been held with the Eurochallenge Organising Committee. Planning is well underway, and expectations are high for a truly spectacular celebration of the sport. Preparations are in progress for the upcoming ITO Webinar, which has already attracted interest from across the globe including participants from Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, China, Europe, and the Americas.

World Championships – South Africa 2025

Together with the South African Organising Committee, we have completed Bulletin No.1 and was published on April 1 2025. The local team is committed and enthusiastic, with high aspirations to deliver the most spectacular World Championships to date. The Bulletin can be found here.

By Marian Sârbu, Chair of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee