ICF Canoe Marathon Committee activities Q1 2025

Exploring Americas 

In late January, the news came from the ICF events team that Sarasota, United States, had withdrawn from hosting the Canoe Marathon World Championships and Junior and Under 23 Canoe Sprint World Championships in 2026. The preference was the Americas for the global development of marathon because it has been six years since we last had a World Championships outside of Europe. After consultation with Mauricio Caffa, the technical delegate for Canoe Marathon at the Pan American Canoe Federation, the idea was raised to look at the possibility of the Americas. There are many countries in the Americas that have been competing internationally in marathon events for years. Argentina came up as an option, which would be great as it has always been loyal to marathon and won several medals at World Championships. Surrounding countries, such as Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia, have competed in the World Championships in the past. Whereas normally countries that bid have ample time to arrange everything, it is quite a challenge for the organisation in Argentina and there are still many other challenges before we know it can be held there.  

Gyor preparations 

In February, there was a lot of consultation with an enthusiastic organisation of this year’s World Championships in Gyor, Hungary to ensure the best facilities for the athletes and also to make it an interesting course for athletes and public. It looks like it will be special and the public at home and at the venue will be spoiled with a great performance of the best marathon athletes of the world.

Meeting in China 

In Hangzhou, China, we discussed many topics that are important for 2025 but also for the years beyond. It was the first time the Canoe Marathon Committee came together for a face-to-face meeting. Since all Discipline Committees were present, it was a great opportunity to exchange views on common points. For our Committee, it was important to express our views with the Canoe Sprint Committee regarding portage in the 5,000m and the weight of the boats, both topics that came under question during the Congress or as a recommendation of a rule change. We understand that if we want to grow, we must find other nations outside Europe. Among the points raised were to ensure that we get more participation in C boats, and to see what we can improve for the teams following the survey after the World Championships in Metkovic. A new ranking system will be introduced this year, and we want to give ratings to events that have made marathon popular for years, such as the International Descent Sella, the Dusi Canoe Marathon, the Amsterdam Waterland Marathon, the Tour de Gudena and the Regata Internacional Del Rio Negro. Other topics addressed at the meeting in Hangzhou included preparation for the World Championships and The World Games 2025, where there are many challenges, but it promises to be a great event, World Cup bids and education. During the meeting, we also held talks with Paracanoe, Medical Committee and Wildwater Canoeing Committees.

By Ruud Heijselaar, Chair of the ICF Canoe Marathon Committee