The International Canoe Federation is conducting several high-level coaching course across three continents during December as it continues to support the growth of paddle sports around the globe.
Already this month a canoe sprint coaches course has been held in Rosario, Argentina. A total of 25 coaches under the watchful eye of ICF expert Gilberto Cruz Avila have been part of the course, which began on December 10 and finishes on Saturday.
A second South American course is being run in Venezuela, supported by Olympic Solidarity, the ICF, the National Olympic Committee and the local National Federation. The lecturer is ICF expert Alexandre Sanchez Rodriguez.
This course began in Caracas on December 13 and runs through to December 19, and has attracted 30 coaches.
ICF Vice-President Cecilia Farias said both courses had important roles to play in growing paddle sports on the continent.
“We have more than 50 coaches from South America attending these two courses, which is a grat boost for our sport,” Ms Farias said.
“These coaches will take the skills they learn at these courses back to their local clubs, and the growth process begins. So many young athletes in this part of the world will be getting access to some fantastic coaching.”
In India 50 coaches are taking part in a level one and two slalom course and will conduct a sprint course in Bhopal later this month, watched by lecturer Zak Mahamoud, while 30 coaches are working on a level two course with former Spanish team coach Alexandr Nikonorov in Antalya, Turkey.
The Turkish course is also a combined Olympic Solidarity, ICF, NOC and NF course and will run over three days from December 18 to December 20.
ICF President Thomas Konietzko is attending the training course in India.
“It is really exciting to see so much interest from coaches in India, a real growth area for our sport,” Mr Konietzko said.
“Already in recent years we have seen more and more athletes from India attending our ICF events, so getting more coaches into the system will be a huge benefit for this country.”
The ICF is also organising a coach and an international technical official course in Central America in January.
