Federal and NSW Governments back Paddle Australia’s 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships hosting

With just over 400 days to go until the 2025 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Slalom World Championships at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, the NSW and Federal Governments have today announced $3.2 million in funding to support Paddle Australia in the hosting of the event.

Following sellout crowds for canoe slalom events at the Paris Olympic Games, the 2025 World Championships will be heading to Australia for the first time in 20 years, with more than 300 competitors from 50 nations expected to take part.

With an estimated 20,000 spectators expected to attend the Championships, the funding will be used by Paddle Australia for the organisation, staging, marketing and programming of the event.

The World Championships will feature 10 medal events including Canoe and Kayak singles (C1 and K1), Canoe and Kayak Teams, and Kayak Cross, with Olympic Gold Medallists and local legends Jess and Noemie Fox scheduled to compete.

Home of Paddle Australia’s canoe slalom high performance program, the NSW Government also recently completed a $3.1 million upgrade to Penrith Whitewater Stadium to enable it to stage the World Championships, including upgrades to the whitewater course and venue infrastructure.

Paddle Australia Chief Executive, Phil Jones advised that the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships will not only provide the opportunity to excite and engage the Australian community, but will also be an important milestone on the green and gold runway towards a home Olympic Games in 2032.

Jones stated “hosting the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Slalom World Championships provides Paddle Australia with a unique opportunity to not only attract world class talent down under and connect with the Australian public, but will also provide a significant opportunity to attract new interest and talent into our pathway programs.

“Australia boasts current female Olympic champions Jess and Noemie Fox, who have already inspired more people to get involved in paddling.  We’ve seen first hand what hosting international events in Australia can do in galvanising Australian fans and young people and that’s certainly our vision for the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.

“Hosting the event would not be possible without the significant contribution from the NSW Government. Their continued support of canoe slalom in Australia and funding to help us deliver the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships as well as the facility upgrades to Penrith Whitewater Stadium, is making our vision a reality.”

The announcement follows the recent completion of a $3.1 million upgrade to Penrith Whitewater Stadium to enable it to stage the World Championships which included upgrades to the whitewater course and venue infrastructure, including new course gates and obstacles, a new timing system, refurbishment of pumps, stadium pathways improvements and canoe conveyor system upgrades.

The NSW Government will also confirm today that island in the heart of Penrith Whitewater Stadium is to be renamed Fox Island.

Images: Jessica Fox at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium (top, credit: Paddle Australia) and the venue during the Sydney 2000 Olympics (below, credit: Sydney International Regatta Centre).