PA CEO BLOG – MAY 2025

As we near the end of May, it is time to reflect on what has been another special month for the Paddle Australia community. 

This month we celebrated National Volunteer Week, an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary people who give their time, energy and their dedication to make our sport possible. To every volunteer in the paddling community and beyond, THANK YOU.

Earlier this month, we were pleased to announce a four-year partnership with Griffith University. Aligning with the Paddle Forward ‘32 Strategic Plan, Griffith University will support operational work and identified projects across each of our five strategic pillars. 

May played host to the start of the international season, with many of our athletes starting their 2025 campaigns. The 2025 Asia Pacific Canoe Sprint Cup was held from May 8 – 11 in Japan and saw the Australian team top the points table and bring home the silverware – an incredible effort for a young team with many athletes in the green and gold for the first time. 

Hungary and Poland hosted the Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cups, held over two consecutive weekends with our Australians showcasing wonderful results. Rising star Natalia Drobot had a dominant performance at Sprint World Cup 1 in Hungary, coming away with the bronze in the K1 500 and silver in the K1 200. 

World Cup 2 in Poland saw our Australian women finish on the podium with a bronze in the K4 500, and gold in the K2 500 – these results present an exciting insight into the future of our sprint discipline. 

May also saw the announcement of the Canoe Marathon Australian Teams who will wear the green and gold at the 2025 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships held on 1-7 September in Gyor, Hungary across Junior, Senior, U23, Masters, and for the first time in the marathon discipline – Para. 

I am eager to see what June will bring to 2025. As always, remember to stay safe and respect our beautiful waterways.

Kim Crane
CEO, Paddle Australia