ICF Dragon Boat Commission activities Q1 2025

Coaching course in Malaysia 

From February 18 to 22, the ICF Dragon Boat Level 2 Coaching Course was held in Perak, Malaysia. The Asian Canoe Confederation, with the cooperation of the University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), organised this course inside the university campus. All participants including trainers Csaba Szanto and Dr. Luk Wai-hung were in the same venue which included accommodation, a lecture room, a lake and boats. A total of 17 participants passed the examination including Dr. Jaffry Zakaria who is the Dean of Faculty of Sport Science and Coaching of UPSI. Jaffry remarked that UPSI welcome coaches and athletes to make use of the available facilities, especially the lake for training camps and TIP programmes. 

Paddle Summit in Hangzhou 

Hangzhou, China held the first-ever ICF Paddle Summit from February 27 to March 2. It was a great pleasure that members of the ICF Dragon Boat Commission had the opportunity to participate in this first meeting in which we had opportunity to meet members of all the ICF disciplines and share our common concerns in these four days. The Dragon Boat Commission had our commission meeting on the first two days where we had an in-depth evaluation of the recently conducted events as well as preparation for the future tasks. During the main parts of the Summit, all participants were able to enhance their understanding on ICF Fit for Future Evolution as well as developments, sustainability, presentations by the Medical Commission and Athlete Commission and more. The most exciting parts were the discussion sessions at the Fuyang Water Sports Centre and Paddle Games – 203X Opportunity.

Upcoming competitions  

The World Master Games 2025 will be held in Taipei City and New Taipei City with Dragon Boat competition taking place from May 26 to 28. Racing will be staged at Dajia Riverside Park, Breeze Canal, Taipei. Preparations are continuing for the 2025 ICF Dragon Boat Club Crew World Championships in Ruse, Bulgaria. Competition will run from September 18 to 22 at the Regatta Course. The Bulletin has been circulated, and entries could be made directly to the HOC and the Bulgarian Canoe Federation. 

By Luk Wai-hung, Chair of the ICF Dragon Boat Commission