The French Canoe Kayak Federation (FFCK) has unveiled its 2025-2032 Development Plan, marking a decisive new phase in the structuring and growth of paddle sports across France.
With an estimated two million practitioners nationwide and 36,000 federation members, the development plan seeks to transform this attractiveness into long-term, sustainable engagement.
A plan has been formulated around three strategic priorities.
The first is a youth emergency plan, aimed at revitalising participation among nine to 12-year-olds - a key-age group for long-term retention.
This priority also aims to accelerate efforts to get more women involved in paddle sport as well as simplifying progression paths and training young supervisors for the future.
The second priority centres on enhanced support for clubs, committees and commercial structures.
The plan aims to simplify management, support professionalisation, strengthen the role of committees and structure the relationship with tourism stakeholders.
Creating a better balance between competitive and recreational activities while strengthening and structuring all forms of practice in whitewater, flatwater, and sea environments is the third priority of the FFCK.
The model is structured around clear strategic priorities, with each following the same format of objectives, target groups, key actions, a timeline, and measurable indicators.
Developed in close collaboration with the Federal Performance Project, this strategic roadmap is grounded in action plans, measurable objectives, as well as structured governance and monitoring.
It is designed to be implemented by the regional and departmental committees, taking into account the specific characteristics of the territory, and to serve as a basis for the work of the sports commissions in the structuring of their development actions.
Pascal Bonnetain, President of the FFCK, said: “We cannot accept that a sport where 50% of participants are women in tourism, has only a third of its club members.
“Increasing female participation is a lever for the development, retention, and modernisation of our federation.”
Julien Issoulie, National Technical Director for the FFCK, said: “The challenge isn’t making canoeing and kayaking attractive, it is improving how we welcome newcomers, training more instructors, especially younger and female instructors, and building on the momentum the sport is gaining.
“This plan represents a major step forward in how we operate.”
For the full development plan, click here
