ICF Canoe Polo Committee activities

Amazing viewing figures 

The 2024 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships in Deqing, China, was the 15th edition (one cancelled during COVID-19), with the flagship event held every second year. 

The 2024 World Championships saw 71 teams in the men’s, women’s, U21 men’s, and U21 women’s categories.  

Gold medals went to four different countries Germany (men – a third successive title), New Zealand (women), Spain (U21 men – retaining title won in 2022) and France (U21 women). 

Live streaming via the Planet Canoe YouTube channel and through Huya in China was a massive success and while all data has some interpretation, the following is noted: 

• YouTube and Huya views: 7.3 million, excluding China figures - an increase on 2022 of x8.79 and if China figures are included, an overall increase on 2022 of x26.46. 
• Peak live viewing numbers: 157,278 live viewers 
• Facebook reach: 1,044,896 users, an increase on 2022 of x4.95 
• Instagram reach: 859,522, an increase on 2022 of x 7.82

Super Cup success 

Canoe Polo was delighted with its inclusion in the 2024 ICF Hangzhou Super Cup and can only praise city and Host Organising Committee for all the work they did in creating the polo venue, the results software and scoreboards and the logistics in moving 300 persons to and from the venue from the nearby World Championships. 

The intense competition saw Germany win the men’s gold and Spain the women’s. 

World Games invites 

Invitations for the next World Games are out with eight teams in the men’s and women’s categories. Acceptance or otherwise is by the end of December. 

2025 rules changes 

Circa end of January/mid-February, there will be an online meeting regarding published rule changes. Invites to participate will be sent in the New Year to the Team Leaders of federations that competed in the 2024 World Championships. 

2024-2028 committee 

The ICF Congress in Antalya, Turkey, saw Greg Smale re-elected as the Canoe Polo Committee chair.  

The committee, for the first time, comprises two men and two women with Joao Botelho of Portugal, Eva Lindmark of Sweden and Mario Perez Lopez of Spain retaining their places.  Virginie Brackez of France replaces Dion Chen of Hong Kong who finished his time on the committee.  

There are three advisors to the committee: Pawel Teleman of Poland, Evan Kong of Singapore, and Charlotte Bakkes of the Netherlands.

By Greg Smale, Chair of the ICF Canoe Polo Committee