The International Canoe Federation has underlined the importance of providing top-level officials for its events with details of a two-part seminar to prepare new judges for stand up paddling competitions.

The first stage of the seminar will be held online, while part two will be held in person on the eve of the 2021 ICF stand up paddling world championships in Balatonfured, Hungary. As an added incentive, all those taking part in the seminar will receive technical official experience during the world championships.

ICF SUP coordinator, Hoichan Kwon, said training new officials will benefit stand up paddling.

“We are already blessed to have some of the best SUP officials in the sport available to officiate at our events, but we are always on the lookout for more,” he said.

“No experience is necessary to become involved in this two-part seminar. And by the time our world championships begin, we will have a new group of trained officials ready to help deliver another first-class event.”

The online theory section of the seminar will run between three to six hours, on a weekend in April. The practical course will take place in Balatonfured in the days leading up to the June 18-20 world championships.

All participants must be nominated by their national federation. Cost for the course is 20 euros, and participants will need to cover their own transport, meals and accommodation for part two of the seminar.

Deadline for registration is March 31. All nominations should be sent to hoichan.kwon@canoeicf.com.

The courses will be conducted in English.