Asian Canoe Confederation activities Q3 2025

Fantastic SUP Asian Cup

The Chinese Canoe Association hosted the 2025 ACC SUP Asian Cup in Qingtian from July 10 to 13, 2025. Athletes from China, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Chinese Taipei participated in the 3k and 6 k long distance, 200m sprint, and 600m technical races during the three-day event.

Even though all participants and the Organising Committee experienced the difficulty of the different weather every day, this event was such a smooth, successful match for the sport, along with the tourism. The heavy rain on the last day did not affect the function that followed, which included a carnival to promote the ICF SUP discipline.

It was impressive that the Organiaing Committee combined with the cultural variety shows during the medal ceremony, featuring a demonstration of SUP yoga to show audiences.

Canoe Slalom takes centre stage

From August 14 to 17, the Chinese Canoe Association opened the stage to all Asian paddlers to splash out the waves at the Xiasi Canoe Slalom Training Base for the 2025 Asian Canoe Slalom Championships.

A total of eight nations participated, including China, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Uzbekistan, sending about 200 paddlers to compete on this Canoe Slalom artificial course.

Thank you to the Organising Committee for the high standard of services arrangement, and congratulations to all medalists on the successful competition.

Hopes for 2027 SEA Games

The ACC visited Malaysia to watch the annual national competition, which was organized by the Malaysia Canoe Association from  August 15 to 17.

A meeting was also held at the Olympic Council Malaysia with the Director General of the National Sports Council.

Discussions took place over the possibility of including canoe sport in the 2027 SEA Games at Putrajaya lake in Malaysia and the plan for the west central Peninsular Malaysia to support in the future Games. It is situated 30k south of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and serves as the country’s administrative centre.

Canoe Polo magic

The Malaysia Canoe Association organised the Asian Canoe Polo Championships from September 10 to 14 at Putrajaya, Malaysia. The venue location is in an attractive historical city, which is rich in old and modern cultural iconic places at the same area. Congratulations to the Organising Committee for the successful event together with participants of around 250 from nine National Federations including China, Hong Kong China, Hong Kong China, India, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand around Asia, and also welcome new country members for attending the events – the Philippines and Myanmar. It is a good sign to see the growth of the canoe polo community in Asia.

Coaching course

The Malaysia Canoe Association hosted the ICF Level 1 Canoe Polo Coaching Course from September 7 to 9 at the Marina Putrajaya and the Putrajaya Water Sports Complex, Precinct 6.  This course was sanctioned by the ICF and conducted by two international experts of the Canoe Polo discipline in Committee Chair Greg Smale and Iranian national team coach Mehregan Khirollahi. There were 24 participants from eight countries across Asia, including China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar and Philippines. Thank you to the Organising Committee and all participants for making an important step in the development of this Canoe Polo sport for all Asian regions. This is a good sign to see Canoe Polo continue to grow with knowledgeable coaches and crews leading its future.

Beach, ocean, competitions and friendships

In Qingdao, China, the Chinese Canoe Association hosted the fifth Asian Canoe Ocean Racing Championships from September 18 to 21. This was the impact of collaboration between the Chinese Canoe Association and the Qingdao city in organising and promoting the ocean sport activities.  Thank you for the participation of China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Macau , Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand with more than 350 athletes marking a new chapter in the success of the 2025 Asian Canoe Ocean Racing Championships with full support from Hong Man Li, the Chairman of ACC Canoe Ocean Racing Committee and the Organising Committee. Thank you to all departments for setting the new standard for this event, especially the safety for all participants during the competition period.

Canoe Ocean Racing examination

Marian Sarbu, Chair of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee ran the ITO Canoe Ocean Racing Seminar and Examination during the period of competition days. Participants came from China, Hong Kong China, Japan, Macau China, Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. Thank you everyone for contributing to the fundamental step of the growth in the Ocean racing discipline, and ACC has more ITOs in the family to promote the discipline in Asia.

By Chainarong Charoenruk, President of the Asian Canoe Confederation