Paddle Worldwide ICF Rebranding

The ICF just released a PR that they will undergo rebranding efforts from International Canoe Federation to PADDLE WORLDWIDE.

Quote:

“The ICF, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is looking to transition into the next exciting chapter in its long history with a bold evolutionary vision.“

“Over the next two years, the ICF will aim to implement a plan with five focus areas culminating in the relaunch of the federation under the new name of Paddle Worldwide at its next Congress in 2026.“

First coming to mind is that the federation is shifting its brand towards the word “paddle” and away from “canoe”. The ICF, there fore shifts its focus from the craft the paddling is done in, to the activity of paddling itself. Key quote by the ICF statement:

“Recognizing the need to represent every paddle sport discipline and to embrace not only the competitive aspects of our sport but also its deep connection with nature, waterway preservation and expanding opportunities for all. “

It makes perfect sense to unite paddle sports further and highlights the ICFs adjustment to the diversity of paddle sports all together. After all, paddling is not just done in a canoe. This fact was particularly highlighted when the ICF started adopting SUP. The sport emerged out of surfing, rather than sit down canoe or kajak paddling, but with growing popularity the ICF started to show interest in the sport. The ICF SUP World Championships is in its 5th edition this year in Sarasota. Stand Up Paddling is the only competitive paddle sport that is done standing up and with the new name it fits better into the concept, as the sport is now included as a paddle sport and not a canoe sport.

The ICF says further:

“As part of this journey, we will hold the 2025 Paddle Sport Summit where we will bring our leadership together with all the disciplines, all committees and all stakeholders that can impact change for the future of paddle sport. 

“We look forward to proudly and confidently relaunching our federation under the new name Paddle Worldwide in 2026.”

For all SUP and Olympic enthusiasts, it is worth mentioning that this move by the ICF will not change anything for the possible Olympic inclusion for your sport or who’s governance should be considered. One thing however we might like to ad here: With this new name, “Paddle Worldwide” can claim to cover all paddle sports and raise the case the SUP is clearly a paddle sport rather than a wave riding sport. The logical conclusion then would be that the SUP Sport belongs to a worldwide paddling organization rather than a worldwide wave riding organization. This will put the pressure on the ISA to start to become more active in the SUP sport, before Paddle Worldwide will appeal the case at the IOC Court of Arbitration.

Another question is if national canoe federations are also dropping the word “canoe” and will become national paddle federations.

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