Contributed by Edel Mooney

Singapore, Wednesday, December 15, 2010 — The Singapore Canoe Federation (SCF) announced today that five Asian countries have already confirmed their participation in the 19th Canoe Marathon World Championships to be held in Singapore from 21st to 23rd October 2011. Jointly organised by the International Canoe Federation and SCF, the World Championships will be hosted by an Asian country for the first time and is expected to feature a number of the best canoe marathon paddlers from all over the world.

The canoe federations from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines and Thailand have all confirmed that they will send a team of athletes to compete in the event which is a boost to the SCF’s aim to gain the participation of at least 10 Asian countries.

The SCF also announced that preliminary plans are in the pipelines to organise a first ever Asian Canoe Marathon Championships in mid-2011 to encourage Asian involvement in the World Championships.

Said Chua Kee-Huat, President of SCF: “We are delighted to confirm that these five Asian countries will be participating in the World Championships next year as the event resonates with ICF’s long-term plan to develop canoeing in Asia. Historically dominated by European countries, canoeing has grown in popularity in Asia in recent years and the World Championships in Singapore is a giant step in developing the sport further locally and regionally. Singapore’s hosting of the World Championships will also be a boost to the country’s ambitions of becoming the regional centre for canoe marathon and water sports in Asia.”

At the recent Asian Games which only featured the sprint and slalom disciplines, China and Japan dominated the medals. Meanwhile, Singapore was represented by a team of six national paddlers who all broke personal best records at the Games, reflecting the improving level of the sport here.

The 19th ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships will take place in the visually stunning setting of Marina Bay, boasting Singapore’s business and financial district as its scenic backdrop and opening up the sport to a new spectrum of spectators.

With event races lasting approximately two to three hours, paddlers will have to negotiate with the water currents in a flat-water course of a 4.3 km lap, starting from Marina Reservoir towards the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. The planned route will take the canoeists through the heart of Singapore’s city and past famous landmarks like the Merlion, Singapore Flyer, Marina Barrage and the Esplanade.

A major feature of the canoe marathon is the portage, which will be based at the Floating Platform. In accordance with the traditional format of a canoe marathon, participants in the C and K classes will have to make some dashes to complete the necessary number of portage segments. This will see athletes carrying their boats across a stretch of about 100 metres at The Floating Platform each time at the portage, before heading back in the water to resume the race.

SCF will also be hosting the Singapore Canoe Marathon National Championships 2011 next month on 9th January. This will see almost 550 athletes compete in various categories and will form part of the canoeing national team’s preparation for the World Championships.

About the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships
The ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships was first held in 1988 and is recognised worldwide as the sport’s main event as it is not an Olympic discipline. A total of 30 countries took part in this year’s World Championships in Banyoles, Spain, from 23rd to 26th September 2010.

For more information on the event, please visit the event website at – http://canoemarathon2011.org/