Pan American Canoe Federation activities

COPAC's transformative power boosts canoe in the Americas

Management, training and events are the pillars of sports development on the continent. In recent months, the Pan American Canoe Federation (COPAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of paddle sports in the Americas, leading high-impact events and promoting technical training.

From November 13 to 16, Montevideo in Uruguay hosted the Pan American Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe Championships and the Under-21 Continental Qualifier for the Asunción 2025 Pan American Junior Games, consolidating itself as a milestone in the continental sports calendar.

This event, organised by the Uruguayan Canoe Federation (FUC) and supervised by COPAC under the regulations of the International Canoe Federation and the World Anti-Doping Agency, saw a total of 350 athletes from 15 countries participate.

The competitions, held on the emblematic Lake Calcagno, not only represented a high technical level but also a space for cultural and sporting exchange among nations. 

Among the participating categories, which ranged from juniors to masters, the focus was on the U-21 athletes, who competed for the qualification to Asunción 2025.

In the results, Argentina stood out as champions in Canoe Sprint, while Brazil led in Paracanoe, reaffirming its international strength.

The success of the event was not only due to the competition but also to an impeccable organisation that prioritised the safety and well-being of the attendees, adapting even to adverse weather conditions.

Training future judges and coaches

Simultaneously, a Pan American Canoe Sprint judges course was held, which updated participants on the latest regulations and best international practices. In addition, COPAC, in conjunction with the ICF, organised three technical seminars for coaches, which addressed key topics such as:

• From training to elite by Sergei Torres 
• Technical and regulatory advances for American canoe by Diego Cánepa and Sebastián De Cesare 
• Introduction to Paracanoe: types of disabilities and adaptations by Alejandro Druziuk

A legacy that inspires 

The success of these events and activities not only positions canoe on the international sporting stage but also reinforces COPAC's mission to promote the integral development of sport in the Americas.  

The combination of organisational excellence, technical exchange and professional training marks a clear path toward where we want to go along with the National Federations of the American continent.

By Sebastián Gómez, President of the Pan American Canoe Federation