The International Canoe Federation has thanked the world paddling community for its support of the 5K paddle challenge, which is drawing to a close after more than one month of frenetic activity.

The 5K challenge was designed to encourage people to get active again during and after the Covid-19 lockdown, and also to raise awareness and funds for the international charity, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), for their work on the frontline battling coronavirus.

Almost 400 paddlers from 40 countries entered the 5K challenge, paddling on a variety of boards and in a wide range of environments. People recorded times on the ocean, in lakes, on rivers and creeks and, for those not able to get outside, on ergometers.

The challenge was to paddle for 5 kilometres, record their time and then share it with the world. Olympians, world champions and casual paddlers, ranging in age from 8 to 88, took part.

The ICF is especially grateful to the event sponsors and supporters, Braca, Elio and Sports Aware, who donated prizes for the competition.

“We were not certain how many people would be able to take up the challenge, given the restrictive conditions in most parts of the world,” ICF event organiser, Hoichan Kwon, said.

“But obviously there was a considerable appetite among paddlers of all ages and ability to get active, and we are very happy they chose our 5K challenge as a way to get into action. The response was fantastic, and underlined just how popular the sport of canoeing is around the world, even in these most difficult times.

“It was also fantastic to be able to team up with Doctors Without Borders, and to be able to raise awareness among the paddling community of the excellent work the charity does around the world, not just during Covid-19.”

Thanks to our prize sponsors:

Braca Sport Paddles     Elio.    Sports Aware

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