5k Paddle Challenge

The International Canoe Federation is hoping to encourage professional and recreational paddlers all over the world to participate in our virtual competition and take on a five kilometre paddle challenge to not only stay active, but to raise money for the incredibly important work of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

Virtual competition requirements

There are two important stipulations; all participants must follow the rules in their own country to help prevent the spread of the virus, and each paddler must be able to accurately measure their distance and time.

On sea/lake, the full distance should be paddled as half in one direction and the second half opposite direction with at least one 180 degree turn. On river/creek, full distance can be done in one direction without having to return. Can't get on water? Join us on your Ergometer!

Read the full rules here

All participants will be asked to register on the official event page, and asked to make a voluntary donation to MSF. Every paddler who makes a donation will have the chance to win a prize, including paddles and other recreational equipment.

Enter the virtual competiton here

Where to upload your results

After you've registered, upload your results here. You'll be able to see your current standings compared to other paddlers. At the start of each week we'll publish the weekly leaders in different categories on this page on the ICF website and PlanetCanoe social media channels, along with the random prize draw winners.

Results

Results will be published every week on Monday starting 25 May, so you can enter each weeks challenge. Plus there will be an overall leader board so you can compare yourself against your friends and even some of the worlds best athletes, or just improve your time.

Overall competition results table

Every paddler who registers through the official page, and makes a donation to Doctors Without Borders (MSF) will have the chance to win a prize, including paddles and other recreational equipment. 

The challenge and prize draw will refresh each week so to improve your chances of winning, make sure you enter each week.

Share your results and challenge your mates

Get your friends and clubmates involved. Share your participation on social media, challenge 5 friends and tag @PlanetCanoe #5kPaddleChallenge. Follow PlanetCanoe on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates.

Prize Winners

Thanks to our prize sponsors: Braca Sport for donating a paddle and discounted prizes, Elio for donating a paddle, spraydeck and t-shirt, and Sports Aware for discounted products for our 5k Paddle Challenge swag.

MSF is currently working in more than 70 countries around the world to counter the new coronavirus. The charity is gearing up to confront potential outbreaks in the hundreds of areas it was already working in before the pandemic struck.

The charity is deploying medics, sending supplies and applying nearly 50 years of experience fighting epidemics to protect the most vulnerable and save lives. Read more about their Covid-19 response and how funds will be utilised to help affected people throughout the world.

Enter and donate here

Read the full rules here and if you still have any questions about the ICF #5kPaddleChallenge, please contact entries@canoeicf.com