Paddling News

Two years after the Azores, Europe’s best ocean paddlers return to battle this time on the Finistere coast in France for the continental crowns. The 2024 championships saw France’s Hector Henot claim his first European Open title, while Spain’s Judit Vergès Xifra secured her third. European titles will also be awarded across Junior, U23 and […]

From discovering paddling at the age of 14 in Brest to competing on the international circuit, becoming a mother, and eventually returning to racing, Angie Leroux’s journey has always been closely connected to the ocean. Now, 22 years after first stepping into a kayak in Brest, she is preparing to compete at the European Championships […]

The world’s biggest Va’a sprint showdown is about to begin! From August 17 to 31, Marina Bay in Singapore will welcome 2,222 athletes from 29 countries and territories for one of the biggest celebrations of Va’a racing in the world. Expect spectacular sprint racing, explosive speed, precision and fierce competition, alongside the Polynesian traditions and […]

Based in Singapore and born from a genuine passion for paddling, SKILD is building a name for itself with technical apparel designed specifically for life on the water. At the heart of the brand is co-founder Christoph Renger, an active Dragon boat, OC and Va’a paddler who understands first-hand the demands of long hours in […]

À 54 ans, Christophe Havy poursuit une aventure commencée il y a plus de quinze ans, lorsqu’il a découvert le Va’a à Marseille. Adhérent du club Marseille Manu Ura 13, le rameur français vient d’arriver à Singapour pour disputer les Championnats du monde IVF de sprint Va’a 2026. Une nouvelle étape importante dans un parcours […]

For paddlers, the ocean is both playground and training ground—but it is also a place where the impact of pollution becomes impossible to overlook. A plastic bag caught around an OC1 rudder was one such reminder for Hayden Jamie Li, a young paddler and student from Hong Kong. He was already used to picking up […]

Iloha Eychenne claimed an impressive victory in the women’s race at stop #2 of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World CUP Tahiti, finishing well ahead of the rest of the field after 23 kilometres of open ocean and lagoon paddling. But for the waterwoman, 3 x Va’a World Champion among other accolades, the result represented […]

Du 26 au 30 août prochains, Brest accueillera les Championnats d’Europe d’Ocean Racing, un rendez-vous majeur qui réunira les meilleurs spécialistes européens de surfski, mais aussi de pirogue océanique en OC1, OC2 et V6. Organisé par le Canoë Kayak Club Brestois (CKCB), l’événement ambitionne de faire rayonner toutes les facettes de cette discipline spectaculaire, tout […]

At just 18 years old, Louka Brard has already established himself as one of the brightest young talents in French Ocean Racing. The Breton paddler delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 French Championships, claiming four national titles and one bronze medal across five different disciplines. A passionate waterman and first-year sports science student in […]

With the 2026 World Srint Championships in Singapore just weeks away, the Tahitian Va’a selection is entering the final stages of its preparation. During the team’s penultimate training session in Tahiti, we caught up with Gordon Barff, Technical Director of the Tahitian Va’a Federation, to discuss the selection process, the challenge of bringing together the […]

With just a few weeks to go before the 2026 Va’a World Sprint Championships in Singapore, Tahitian Va’a coach Philippe Bernadino is entering the final stages of preparation with the national selection. After months of selection and training, the focus is now on fine-tuning the crews, building cohesion and making sure every paddler is ready […]

The German Open Ocean Championship, held during the Hawaiian Sports Festival, brought together some of Germany’s top outrigger canoe paddlers for a demanding day on the water. While many expected classic downwind conditions, Mother Nature had other plans. Instead of strong winds and ocean runners, the athletes faced intense heat, flat water, and a race […]

The 2026 Gorge Downwind Champs brought 641 finishers to Hood River, Oregon, for another memorable edition of one of the world’s premier downwind paddling events. With elite international athletes lining up alongside a deep field of dedicated paddlers, the race once again delivered the speed, excitement, and legendary conditions that make the Columbia Gorge a […]

From the powerful coastline of Madeira to the highest level of international surfski racing, Bernardo  Pereira has built his career through consistency, dedication, and a deep connection with the ocean. Starting paddling at just six years old, he developed the skills and mindset required to compete among the best athletes in the world. His progression […]