With more than three decades of experience in paddlesports, Romanian-born Marian Sârbu has made a lasting impact on the international canoeing scene—both on the water and behind the scenes. A former national champion turned International Technical Official, Sârbu has officiated over 50 major international competitions, including ICF World Championships, World Cups, and European Games. In 2024, he was elected Chair of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee, where he now leads the charge in shaping the global future of surfski racing. In this in-depth interview, Sârbu shares his journey from paddling the Danube as a young athlete to heading one of the ICF’s most dynamic committees. He offers insights into current developments, global trends, and ambitious plans for the future of Canoe —including the official inclusion of OC1, the sport’s push for greater visibility, and what to expect at the upcoming World Championships in Durban.
Welcome to TotalPaddler Marian. Can you share a bit about your background? How did you get involved in paddlesports, and what led you to your role at the International Canoe Federation (ICF)?
Hello Mathieu. I started paddling when I was 12 years old, back in 1992, in my hometown of Turnu Măgurele, Romania, on the Danube River. I was part of the national junior team and became a national champion several times during that period.
Since 2013, I have been an International Technical Official within the ICF. To date, I have officiated at more than 50 international events, including ICF World Championships, European Games, ECA Championships, and ICF World Cups.
Since 2021, I have been a member of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee, and in 2024, I was elected Chair of this Committee.
What is your exact title within the ICF, and what are your main responsibilities as part of the Canoe Ocean Racing Committee?
I currently serve as Chair of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee. The Committee consists of one Chair, four members, and two advisors.
As Chair, my responsibilities are broad and diverse. I represent the discipline within the ICF Board of Directors, at international events, meetings, and conferences, and act as the main point of contact between the ICF, National Federations, athletes, stakeholders, and the global Canoe Ocean Racing community.
My role involves providing strategic leadership for the sport’s global development, coordinating the Committee’s activities, and ensuring effective governance and compliance with ICF standards. I oversee major events such as the ICF World Championships and World Cups, ensuring quality and consistency across all venues.
In addition, I lead initiatives to grow the sport—particularly in developing regions—support athlete and coach development, and promote Canoe Ocean Racing through communications and advocacy. Managing risk, ensuring safety protocols, and addressing emerging challenges are also essential to preserving the integrity and sustainability of the sport.
What is the primary mission of the Ocean Racing Committee? What concrete improvements have been made in recent years, and what challenges still need to be addressed?
Canoe Ocean Racing is experiencing exciting growth, with new countries, athletes, and events joining every year. One of our top priorities is building a strong, unified global community of paddlers—bringing all stakeholders together under a shared vision.
We are actively working to enhance media visibility and attract new sponsorships by showcasing the sport’s dynamic, powerful, and adventurous spirit.
From the beginning, we have focused on promoting athletes, developing new race ranking concepts, creating standardized race formats, and improving event consistency to strengthen the sport’s identity. Youth development is a key pillar of our strategy, and we are committed to building clear pathways for the next generation through coaching programs, junior events, and broader outreach.
Looking ahead, we are also working to integrate para-canoe into Ocean Racing, elevate race safety standards, and professionalize event management.
Recognition at major multi-sport events is another important long-term goal, and we’re confident that the steps we’re taking today are building a solid foundation for the future of the discipline.
What is the status of Outrigger Canoe within the ICF’s Ocean Racing framework? Are there any plans to integrate it further or develop a dedicated structure for it?
OC1 was recently recognized as an official boat class within our rules. For now, it will be included in the World Cups, and depending on its success and the level of interest, we may integrate it into future World Championships.
OC1 is now part of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing family, and we are committed to developing it as much as possible.
How would you describe the current global landscape of Canoe Ocean Racing? Which countries are leading in terms of participation, events, and athlete development?
Australia and South Africa remain the leading nations in Canoe Ocean Racing. However, countries such as France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy are showing strong progress through structured programs and increased participation.
There is also growing interest and great potential in the Caribbean, the Americas, and across East and Southeast Asia. With the inclusion of OC1, Oceania also presents promising opportunities for growth, as many regions have ideal coastal conditions and rich paddling traditions.
Is there an annual international circuit that leads up to the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships? How is it structured, and what are the key races to follow?
Now that entries for the World Championships are open, the previous points system used for qualification has been discontinued. We are currently developing a new system that will include key races from around the world—such as the World Cups and the World Championships—with the goal of designating an annual World Ranking System Winner.
This new system will be entirely different from the previous one, and certainly more exciting.
We are also launching a World Cup Series made up of five events across three or four continents, with an overall Series Winner crowned at the end.
This year, we are starting with two World Cups: the first will be in Spain, alongside the EuroChallenge, from May 1st to 3rd; the second will take place in La Réunion, from November 10th to 16th.
It promises to be a thrilling series, with lots of movement expected at the top of the rankings throughout the season.
The next ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships will take place in Durban, South Africa. What can we expect from this edition in terms of competition, conditions, and organization?
The organizers have promised us the most spectacular World Championships ever.
We at the ICF are doing everything we can to support them in achieving that goal. Of course, the only thing we cannot control is the weather, but we have several options in place, and together with the organizers, we will choose the best course for the event.
The competition will undoubtedly be strong. Combined with the organizers’ experience and the ICF’s high standards, our aim is clear: to deliver the best possible experience for our athletes.
The ICF is known for scheduling major events well in advance. After Durban, what are the other key international Canoe Ocean Racing events on the calendar?
Planning ahead allows both the ICF and the organizers to ensure the highest standards for our events.
While we are still looking for hosts for next year’s World Cups, the ICF World Championships are already allocated for the next three years:
2026: Spain
2027: Tahiti
2028: France
We are also beginning discussions for 2029 and 2030.
Any final words you’d like to share with the paddling community?
Thank you very much TotalPaddler for allowing me to present myself and share our strategy and future. I remain at your disposal for any topic regarding our sport, and we look forward for the best collaboration in favour of our sport.