ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee activities

Madeira primed for World Championships

Madeira, Portugal is preparing to hold the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships from October 4 to 6. Notwithstanding the logistical challenges of holding the event on an island, and getting hundreds of surfskis there, we are fortunate to be working with a federation that is synonymous with the organisation of first-class events. It is a mammoth undertaking.

By all accounts, every aspect of the organisation has been covered, and we are looking forward to a hugely successful event. 

With athletes from 31 countries already having entered, the record for the previous highest number of countries to be represented at a World Championships has been broken. 

Of all of the ICF disciplines, Canoe Ocean racing is the most influenced by the weather and paddling conditions. Too little wind is not ideal. Too much wind is not ideal. We have a three-day window period in which we will be hoping to achieve some optimal conditions.

Having said that, Madeira is such a beautiful island, and just being there is going to be a wonderful experience for athletes and supporters alike, irrespective of the paddling conditions. 

We will be hosting an exciting TIP camp with 10 athletes. A number of the coaching sessions will be open to all athletes (and coaches), so, hopefully, there will be a substantial knowledge transfer over the week. 

Looking ahead, the organisers of the World Cup event in Reunion are forging ahead with their preparations for yet another island experience, and the South African team, who will be responsible for the hosting of the 2025 World Championships, will be announcing some exciting innovations for the African experience in a year's time. 

The ICF Elective Congress takes place shortly after the World Championships, so the current Canoe Ocean Racing Committee will be dissolved. This may be a perfect opportunity to thank the current committee for their input over the past few years. 

By Colin Simpkins, Chair of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee