The Ukrainian Canoe Federation has hailed Denmark for helping hundreds of children and athletes continue to paddle after donating 170 boats.
There has been a nationwide effort in Denmark to respond to the joint appeal issued by the International Canoe Federation and the European Canoe Association to help Ukrainian paddlers.
Led by the Danish Canoe Federation (DKF), DKF Masters and volunteer coordinator Finn Larsen, clubs and individual paddlers from across Denmark came together to answer the call.
On November 15, the final trailer of donated equipment was officially handed over to Ukrainian Canoe Federation President Igor Slivinskyi during the DKF’s Annual Meeting in Skaerbaek.
The ceremony marked the conclusion of a national drive that has put hundreds of Ukrainian children and athletes back on the water.
“The boats you have provided are not just equipment,” said Slivinsky.
“They are a sign of solidarity, support, friendship, and humanity.
“For children who train under the sound of sirens, sport is a way to hold on to life and to their future.
“Thanks to you, hundreds of Ukrainian children can continue paddling – both literally and symbolically – moving forward even when the current is against them.
“Sport is a place where people remain human even when the world around them is falling apart.”
Since the outbreak of the war, the ICF, ECA and many National Federations and organisers of canoeing events have provided both financial assistance and material support through numerous activities.
This support has ensured that Ukrainian athletes could participate in all major competitions over the past three years, including last year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
When the DKF first published its call for donations, the federation set ambitious but concrete goals – to deliver two rounds of 50 kayaks and canoes, along with paddles and gear.
Having clear, tangible targets made it easy for clubs and paddlers to understand the scale of the task.
The final result significantly exceeded expectations, donating 170 kayaks, 160 paddles, one trailer, 60 life vests, 50 spraydecks, and 2,300 pairs of goggles, plus rowing apparel and other equipment collected from clubs and private donors across Denmark.
Shipments were organised in three waves.
The first trailer was delivered on-site at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Gyor, Hungary.
A second shipment was coordinated via Poznan, Poland, and the third and final trailer was marked at DKF’s Annual Meeting in Denmark before continuing the journey to Lviv for distribution across Ukrainian clubs.
“All the boats were gathered in a central boathouse before each shipment,” said Larsen.
“By consolidating loads and working closely with the ICF and the Ukrainian federation, we could make sure that everything reached the right places safely and efficiently.
“Far away in Dnipro, on the other side of Kyiv, some of the kayaks are already on the water.
“The boathouses there were bombed, but now young paddlers have something to train in again. That is what all your support has made possible.”
Speaking at the ceremony, DKF President Tom Faurschou used the occasion to thank both the initiators and all the clubs and individuals who had contributed.
“This has been a fantastic idea, launched by Finn and the initiative group – and embraced by clubs and paddlers all over Denmark,” said Faurschou.
“It shows that we have an incredibly strong canoe and kayak community with its heart in the right place.”
National federations and clubs who wish to support Ukrainian paddlers with donated boats or equipment are encouraged to contact guang.yang@canoeicf.sport.
The ICF will coordinate the delivery of the boats together with the Ukrainian Canoe Federation.
Source: Danish Canoe Federation
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