Each month when I’m writing my update, it gives me a chance to reflect on the tremendous month that was and August has been no different.
As the dust settles on the 2022 Canoe Slalom, Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships I’d like to extend my congratulations to our entire high performance team at Paddle Australia. It really was an outstanding campaign by all 26 athletes, who brought home 10 medals. It was an equally strong performance by our coaches and all those who do so much to support our athletes. With less than two years to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is great to be able to celebrate our teams’ success and reflect on areas of improvement as we start the critical last two years of preparation.
It wasn’t just our Aussie athletes flying the flag on the world stage, a special mention must go to canoe sprint officials Tracey Tapscott and Mark Bulmer who also travelled to Dartmouth, Canada for the International Technical Officials training course.
In other high performance news, we are very excited to be partnering with the 7 Network and the International Canoe Federation for the remainder of the 2022 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup season. It was great to see the finals of the canoe, kayak and extreme slalom streamed live on 7plus over the weekend, and I look forward to again supporting our athletes in the World Cup final in La Seu, Spain this coming weekend.
Back at home, it was wonderful to see our Wildwater community reunited again at the 2022 Canoe Wildwater National Championships on the Avon River in Western Australia. It was the first time since 2004 that Western Australia had hosted the event, with 55 competitors from three states coming together to compete. On behalf of Paddle Australia I’d like to thank all the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators for a wonderful competition.
Finally, in this edition of Paddle Pulse, you will find a call for nominations for our Annual Awards. COVID saw the 2020 and 2021 Awards ‘presented’ virtually. This year, we look forward to celebrating together on the evening of Saturday 29 October in Sydney. Tickets are on sale, and we would be delighted to see you there if you are able to join us.
Until next month, and as always, stay safe when exploring our beautiful waterways!
Phil Jones
Paddle Australia CEO
