Pan American Canoe Federation activities Q4 2025

The last three months have been marked by a busy schedule for the Pan American Canoe Federation (COPAC), with advances in the institutional, technical, and sporting areas. The actions carried out between October and December reinforce the entity's commitment to the sustainable growth of canoe in the Americas, expanding opportunities for development and integration among the countries of the continent. 

Strengthening Institutional Relations

On October 7, COPAC held a virtual meeting with the Nicaraguan Canoe Federation (FECANIC), with the participation of COPAC President Sebastián Gómez and the federation's Executive Secretary Sebastián Ramón Baltodano Pacheco. The meeting provided an opportunity to learn about the structure of the sport in the country, which consists of nine affiliated associations, and to identify challenges such as the shortage of boats and the need for coach training, paving the way for technical cooperation actions.

After that, COPAC continued its agenda of listening and coordinating with National Federations by meeting with Honduran Rowing and Canoe Federation President Leoncio Henríquez. The meeting highlighted the reality of the sport in Honduras, which currently has one affiliated club in Puerto Cortés and one athlete representing the country in international competitions, in preparation for the 2025 Central American Games in Guatemala.

Sharing Experiences

Also in October, COPAC began a series of webinars focused on the Olympic sports of Canoe Slalom and kayak cross. The initiative, open to coaches, athletes, and officials from across the continent, focused on technical updates and the exchange of experiences, with an emphasis on kayak cross, a sport that made its debut in the Olympic programme at Paris 2024. The opening was led by President Sebastián Gómez, who stressed the importance of qualification for the development of canoe in the Americas.

The month was also marked by international development opportunities for athletes from the continent. Three athletes from Peru and one from Colombia were selected for the ICF Training Camp, held in Hangzhou, China, joining a group of 21 athletes from different parts of the world. The programme, coordinated by former Brazilian canoeist Sebastián Cuattrin, aims to improve technical, physical, and tactical aspects, valuing investments in grassroots projects and long-term training.

October ended with the canoe sprint events at the XII Central American Games Guatemala 2025, held on Lake Petén Itzá. Guatemala led the medal table, followed by Nicaragua, with Honduras, Belize, and El Salvador also reaching the podium. COPAC First Vice President Alma Jacqueline Emily Uggetti Mejía, highlighted the symbolic value of the event's return to the country after eight years, showcasing Guatemala's organisational and structural capacity to host high-level competitions. 

Mariecarman’s Magical Moments

In November, Pan America once again stood out on the international stage. Puerto Rico was one of the big names at the 2025 Stand Up Paddle World Championships in Abu Dhabi, with athlete Maricarmen Rivera winning three gold medals and establishing herself as a world leader in the sport. The month was also marked by the 2025 Pan American Canoe Marathon Championships in Corumbá, Brazil, bringing together athletes from different categories and countries in the Americas, as well as Italy as a guest.

Also in November, COPAC officially announced Canada as the host of the 2026 Pan American Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross Championships. The event will be held on the Kananaskis River in Alberta. 

Paracanoe Classifiers

December brought another initiative focused on qualification and inclusion, with the announcement of a training workshop for Paracanoe classifiers, promoted by the International Canoe Federation, to be held in January 2026 in Chile. The initiative reinforces the commitment to the development of Paracanoe and the training of professionals qualified to classify athletes at the national level. At the end of this quarter, the mission to promote increasingly structured, integrated, and qualified canoe throughout the American continent continues. 

Brazil hosts Pan American Championships 

In November, COPAC President Sebastián Gómez attended the 2025 Pan American Canoe Marathon Championships, held in the city of Corumbá, Brazil. The competition brought together athletes from various countries in the Americas for races held on the Paraguay River, with challenging circuits and boat starts. The event tested the endurance, strategy, and resilience of the competitors, establishing itself as one of the main events of the season.

The presence of the COPAC presidency reinforced the entity's commitment to the development of the sport and to closely monitoring the events on the calendar. With competitions in several categories, including Paracanoe, the championship showed the growth and inclusion of the sport in the international sporting scene. 

By Sebastián Gómez, President of the Pan American Canoe Federation