ICF Canoe Freestyle Committee activities Q2 2026

The second quarter of 2026 marked one of the busiest periods of the year for the ICF Canoe Freestyle Committee. Alongside delivering major international events, the Committee continued its work on technical development, coach and judge education, and long-term athlete development, laying strong foundations for the remainder of the season. 

Rules and Technical Development 

The ICF Board of Directors approved a series of updates to the Canoe Freestyle Competition Rules and Technical Appendices during its meeting in Budapest. These changes represent another important step in the continued evolution of the discipline, ensuring that the sport keeps pace with innovation while maintaining fairness and consistency in competition. 

Event Planning and Delivery 

Paddle Europe Championships – Lieksa, Finland 

June saw the successful delivery of the Paddle Europe Canoe Freestyle Championships in Lieksa, Finland. This was the first major international Canoe Freestyle event ever held in Finland and proved to be an excellent showcase for the country's growing freestyle community. The event was praised for its organisation, spectacular natural venue and the warm hospitality of the local organising committee. 

ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup – Millau, France 

The ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup returned to Millau, France, for the first time since 2014, delivering an outstanding week of competition at one of the sport's most iconic venues. 

Great Britain's Ottie Robinson-Shaw dominated the women's events, claiming gold medals in the senior women's K1, OC1 and squirt competitions. In the senior men's K1, fellow Brit Ben Higson secured the gold medal, while Alex Edwards took victory in the men's squirt event. 

Millau once again demonstrated why it remains one of the world's favourite freestyle destinations. Outstanding performances, enthusiastic crowds and the town's traditional welcome combined to create a memorable World Cup, culminating in an exciting final day of competition. 

ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup – Kraków, Poland 

Preparations continued at pace for the upcoming ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup in Kraków, Poland, scheduled for September. The event will provide another important opportunity for athletes to compete at the highest international level while showcasing freestyle on one of Europe's premier whitewater venues. 

Judging and Development 

The second ICF Freestyle Judges Seminar of the year was successfully delivered in Lieksa during the European Championships. The seminar resulted in several new judges gaining international qualifications, strengthening the global pool of officials and supporting the continued growth of the sport. 

The ICF Freestyle Coach Mentorship Programme also gathered momentum during the quarter, with experienced coach mentors working alongside aspiring coaches from a range of National Federations. The initiative is designed to strengthen coaching expertise worldwide and support sustainable athlete development. 

In addition, a successful Development Camp was held alongside the World Cup in Millau under the leadership of Valerie Bertrand. The camp provided valuable coaching and competition experience for developing athletes and coaches, particularly from emerging freestyle nations, and forms an important part of the committee's long-term strategy to broaden participation globally. 

Looking Ahead 

The second quarter of 2026 demonstrated the continued progress of Canoe Freestyle across competition, education and development. With successful international events, significant technical advancements and expanding development programmes, the committee looks forward to building on this momentum throughout the remainder of the season and continuing to support the worldwide growth of the discipline.

Terry Best, Chair of the ICF Canoe Freestyle Committee