The International Canoe Federation has re-emphasised the importance of education with new development initiatives in Hangzhou, China.
ICF President Thomas Konietzko recently visited Zhejiang University to mark the launch of the ICF Sports Education Centre, dedicated to paddle sports development and research.
The Opening Ceremony was held on the sidelines of the 2025 International Elite Universities Water Sports Open, with several top institutions in China and abroad, like Cambridge University, competing.
The ICF has stressed the need for student athletes to have access to paddle sports, and the Education Centre reflects the growing value of integrating academic expertise in the evolution of the sport.
These collaborations represent an opportunity to foster innovation, strengthen knowledge exchange, and support the long-term advancement of canoeing through connections with leading academic institutions.
Among the first order of business after the inauguration of the Education Centre was a coaching course combining theory, practical training, and live race observation.
A total of 14 university-affiliated coaches attended the course that covered key topics including safety and rescue, physical and technical requirements for advanced paddling, techniques, training principles, endurance, and speed development.
They were also given instructions on how to improve efficiency with methods such as trunk rotation, with ICF coach Csaba Santos leading the way through real-time technical analysis during the competition.
With support from the ICF's Hangzhou Representative Office, a new partnership was established with Dingwen Academy, a top international school in the region, to introduce kayaking to the campus environment for the first time.
Dingwen Academy will officially include paddle sports in its curriculum with a focus on grassroots development.
The tie-up will also see the ICF help organise summer camps in the institution, helping to advance the broader mission of the ICF Excellence Centre established in Hangzhou earlier this year to embed canoeing into community life and inspire the next generation of paddlers.
“These partnerships and initiatives with Zhejiang University and Dingwen Academy mark a significant step forward in our shared mission to promote paddle sports among youth through quality education, innovation, and international collaboration,” ICF President Mr Konietzko said.
“The holistic approach that combines theory and practical application will ensure students at the university and school level will enhance their skills.”
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