The Portuguese Canoe Federation has a big 2018 ahead of it, and there’s no way it will make it to the end on its own.
Hosting a canoeing World Championships takes time, effort, and a lot of helpers. And while the Federation is fortunate to be staffed by several very dedicated, capable personnel, there are not enough of them to make sure everything this year runs smoothly.
Especially because the Portuguese Canoe Federation isn’t just hosting one World Championships. Along with the massive Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships in August, Portugal will also be home to the Canoe Marathon World Championships in September.
Throw in a Masters World Cup and a Stand Up Paddling World Championships, and you begin to see why the call has gone out for volunteers.
“One of the critical factors of success in the international events that Portuguese Canoeing is organizing this year is the people and their emotional involvement with the competition and with the sport,” Marcos Oliveira, Secretary General of the Portuguese Canoe Federation, said.
“This is going to be a carnival of canoeing the likes of which has never been seen in Portugal – maybe even the world, outside of an Olympic Games.
“We already know Portugal loves sport, so we are hoping we will have lots of people keen to be involved in these events. We are hoping to sign up about 100 volunteers, but the more the better.”
The organising committee is especially keen to attract young athletes and other individuals connected with canoeing and canoeing clubs.
An information campaign has been launched, targeting the almost 100 clubs affiliated with the Portuguese Canoe Federation. But Oliveira stresses, anyone who has an interest in seeing Portugal host a truly memorable, world-class event is encouraged to apply.
The events are:
- ICF CANOE SPRINT MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS (MONTEMOR-O-VELHO 13 to 19 August)
- ICF CANOE SPRINT & PARACANOE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (MONTEMOR-O-VELHO 20 to 26 August)
- ICF CANOE MARATHON MASTERS WORLD CUP & WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (PRADO – 3 to 9 September)
All volunteers will be provided with training, personal accident insurance, transport and accommodation.
Volunteers are required in the following areas; administration, accreditation, security, protocol, teams' support, technical support, communication and marketing, sports area, transportation, accommodation, medical and emergency services, logistics and facilities.
“Volunteers must show team spirit, fondness for sports in general and for canoeing in particular, fondness in helping and participating in this type of project,” Oliveira said.
“Mastering a foreign language and being at least 15 years old is a plus.”
Application forms can be found here.
