Pan American Canoe Federation activities Q1 2026

The Pan American Canoe Federation (COPAC) registered three ICF Ranking events, one in Brazil and two in the United States, in addition to strategic meetings and operational support to national federations over the past three months.

COPAC began 2026 with a series of strategic advances that reinforce the development of the sport across the continent. Between January and March, the Pan American canoe scene was marked by key definitions in the Paralympic qualification system, the staging of international Canoe Slalom events in the Americas, institutional actions and initiatives focused on inclusion and the strengthening of sports governance. 

COPAC President Sebastián Gómez organised and prioritised strategic meetings, including discussions with Canada focused on development, partnerships and the organization of upcoming events. In addition, COPAC also held meetings with Panam Sports, where progress was made in defining the technical manuals for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games, marking an important step in the planning of the discipline. 

In addition to the meetings, COPAC focused on supporting National Federations regarding participation in international events, especially in relation to visa processes for competitions in Canada and the United States throughout 2026. COPAC recommended that procedures be initiated in advance and positioned itself as an intermediary for issuing invitation letters, facilitating delegation logistics for major competitions such as World and Pan American Championships in Canoe Sprint, Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross. 

During these first three months, the sporting calendar gained prominence with the staging of three ICF Canoe Slalom World Ranking events in the Americas. Competitions were held in Rio de Janeiro, Montgomery (United States) and Oklahoma City. The latter is a strategically important venue, set to host the 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships and the Olympic competitions of Los Angeles 2028. These events strengthened the continent’s presence on the international circuit and provided a high level of competition for athletes. 

Another important milestone was the confirmation of the city of Gualeguaychú as host of the 2026 Canoe Marathon World Championships. It will be the first time that South America hosts the event, expanding the region’s prominence on the global stage. The competition will take place in October and will be held alongside the Pan American Championship of the discipline, bringing together athletes from different categories and consolidating sporting integration across the continent. 

On the institutional and social front, the International Canoe Federation promoted the II Women’s Symposium Webinar, held in March, focusing on building safer, more ethical and inclusive sporting environments. 

The event featured the participation of ICF Vice President Cecilia Farías, the first woman to hold the position in the organisation, who plays a key role in promoting gender equality and leading initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion in global canoe. The symposium brought together international leaders to discuss safeguarding policies, sports governance and the strengthening of women’s participation, reinforcing the commitment to more responsible and sustainable practices in sport. 

With a diverse and strategic agenda, the start of 2026 highlights the commitment of COPAC and the ICF to the structured growth of canoe in the Americas, combining sports development, technical qualification, inclusion and institutional strengthening across the continent.