There are beaming smiles on the faces of up-and-coming paddlers from Argentina, India, Kenya, Peru, Slovakia and Uganda as they soak up the experience of competing on the biggest stage in Canoe Freestyle.
The joy felt by these development athletes is one of the stand-out features of this year’s International Canoe Federation Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Plattling, Germany.
They are all part of the ICF Development Camp which is running alongside the World Championships thanks to the great work of Norway’s Valerie Bertrand and Argentina’s Maximilliano Montoya.
“The initiative was started by the ICF because we knew there were nations with paddlers who didn’t have the opportunity or support to help them along the way, with coaches showing them tricks and good technique,” said Bertrand.
“We have been targeting countries that have lower support, so they don’t have big crews around them and maybe no equipment at all.
“Since they have arrived here, it has been a big change and mind-blowing for them.”
Among the participants are Devi Dada and Naina Adhikari who are making history by becoming the first Indian freestyle paddlers to compete at the World Championships.
“India has everything – big volume rivers, technical creeks, and so much untapped potential,” said Adhikari.
“All we need is the right support.”
Kenya is another nation making its debut at the World Championships, with Arno Atreiu Reblin featuring on Plattling’s Isar Wave thanks to the ICF Development Camp.
“I learnt how to roll and started pushing myself on rivers,” said Reblin.
“Kenya’s rivers are epic.
“We’ve got creeks, waterfalls, and even high-volume rivers when the rains come – it’s like a hidden gem.”
The other athletes on the ICF Development Camp are Argentina’s Thibaut Fernan Betancourt, Peru’s Gabriel Soldevila De Ugarte, Slovakians Renata Solovicova and Petra Solovicova and Uganda’s Martha Biyinzika.
“I’m proud to be the first girl in my family and my village to do this – and I hope I won’t be the last,” said Biyinzika.
As well as training and competing on the water, the development paddlers have also been included as part of the “freestyle family”.
They have been based in a tent on-site at the Plattling venue where they have been cooking for each other, eating together and sharing chores.
“There is something special about freestyle as the crowds are so welcoming and everyone cheers for each other,” said Betrand.
“The response has been overwhelming and that’s how they have described it themselves.
“They have massive smiles, they are making new friends, and they are knowing a lot more about the sport.
“The progression has been incredible just in the past five days we have been together.
“When the women’s kayak was on yesterday, the crowds went crazy. It was vibrant and they felt that.
“They were crying at the end, not just because of the result and what they can do, but the atmosphere is something very special.”
It is Bertrand’s third year coaching the ICF Development Camp participants and she insists it is important for the future growth of the sport.
“Canoe Freestyle is really technical and difficult, a lot more than it looks like,” added Bertrand.
“These paddlers here make it look really easy as they are the very best in the world but it is not easy.
“There is a big learning curve that happens when you get into it.
“There is a gap in between just learning how to roll to being on the world stage.
“For them, this is their chance so go ahead and take the opportunity.”
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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