International Canoe Federation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  |
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| Abbreviation | ICF |
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| Formation | 19 January 1924 |
| Type | Sports federation |
| Headquarters | Lausanne, Switzerland |
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Region served
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Worldwide |
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President
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Thomas Konietzko |
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Main organ
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Congress |
| Affiliations | International Olympic Committee |
| Website | canoeicf.com |
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Formerly called
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Internationale Repräsentantenschaft Kanusport (IRK) (19 January 1924–1946) International Canoe Federation (1946–) |
The International Canoe Federation (ICF) is the main group for all national canoe organizations around the world. It helps manage everything about canoe sports globally. The ICF's main office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. As of 2008, 157 countries were part of the ICF.
Contents
History of the ICF
On January 19, 1924, a new group was formed in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was called the “Internationale Representantschaft für Kanusport” (IRK). Representatives from Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Sweden started it. Their goal was to become the main worldwide group for canoeing. Franz Reinicke from Germany was chosen as the first president. In 1946, the IRK changed its name to the International Canoe Federation.
In 2022, the ICF made a decision about athletes from Russia and Belarus. They stopped these athletes from competing in ICF events. Officials from these countries were also not allowed to work at ICF events or attend meetings. In March 2023, the Russian Canoe Federation asked the ICF to change its decision. They wanted Russian athletes to be allowed to compete again. In May 2023, the International Canoe Federation decided to let Russian and Belarusian athletes compete again. This happened shortly after a missile attack in Ukraine caused a canoe event to be cancelled.
Canoe Disciplines
The ICF oversees many different types of canoe sports. These sports are grouped into categories based on where they are played.
Flatwater Canoeing
These sports happen on calm water, like lakes or slow rivers.
- Canoe sprint: This is a race where paddlers go as fast as they can over a set distance. World Championships have been held since 1938.
- ICF Canoe Sprint Junior World Championships: This event was for younger paddlers from 1985 to 2011.
- ICF Canoe Sprint Junior & U23 World Championships: Since 2013, this event includes both junior and under-23 paddlers.
- ICF Masters Canoe Sprint World Championships: This is for older, experienced paddlers.
- Canoe marathon: This is a long-distance race. World Championships have been held since 1988.
- ICF Masters Canoe Marathon World Championships: A long-distance race for older paddlers.
- ICF Canoe Marathon Masters World Cup: Another long-distance event for older paddlers.
- Dragon boat: Teams paddle a large boat shaped like a dragon.
- Canoe polo: This is like water polo, but played in kayaks. World Championships have been held since 1994.
- Paracanoe: This sport is for athletes with disabilities.
- Va'a: This involves paddling outrigger canoes.
Ocean Canoeing
These sports take place on the ocean.
- Canoe ocean racing: Paddlers race special boats called surf skis on the open ocean. World Championships have been held since 2013.
- Canoe sailing: This combines canoeing with sailing.
- Waveski: This involves riding waves on a special board that you sit on.
- Surf ski: This is a type of kayak designed for ocean paddling, included as a discipline since 2010.
Whitewater Canoeing
These sports are done on rough, fast-moving water.
- Canoe slalom: Paddlers navigate through gates on a challenging course of whitewater. World Championships have been held since 1949.
- Wildwater canoeing: This is a race down a section of wild, fast-flowing river. World Championships have been held since 1959.
- Canoe freestyle: Also known as playboating or rodeo, paddlers perform tricks and moves on river features like waves and holes. World Championships have been held since 2007.
Combined Flatwater and Ocean Sports
Some sports can be done on both calm water and the ocean.
- Standup paddleboarding (SUP): Paddlers stand on a board and use a long paddle.
- ICF SUP World Championships: World Championships for standup paddleboarding have been held since 2019.
ICF Leaders
The ICF has an executive board that helps run the organization. Here are some of the current leaders:
- Thomas Konietzko, President
- Cecilia Farias, 1st Vice President
- Aijie Liu, 2nd Vice President
- Lluis Rabaneda Caselles, 3rd Vice President
- Luciano Buonfiglio, Treasurer
ICF Membership
The ICF works with many different groups around the world.
Continental Associations
There are five main groups that work with the ICF, each covering a large area of the world. They help organize championships for their regions. They also support their member countries and share their ideas with the ICF.
- Asian Canoe Confederation
- Confederation of African Canoe
- European Canoe Association
- Oceania Canoe Association
- Pan American Canoe Federation
National Members
See also
In Spanish: Federación Internacional de Piragüismo para niños
