Hungary and Denmark have come together to support the International Canoe Federation and the European Canoe Association’s joint call to provide boats and equipment to Ukrainian paddlers.
These actions are part of wider ongoing support efforts from the ICF, ECA, and National Federations since the war began.
Clubs from Hungary recently donated 21 boats and five paddles to a new facility being established in Berehove, Ukraine.
The clubs involved are Marton Sik, MVM Szegedi VSE, Atomeromu SE, Algyoi VSE, Pecs Kayak-Canoe Club, Dunakeszi Kayak Club, and UTE.
Peter Karai, ICF and ECA Board member, coordinated the project with Zoltan Babjak, Mayor of Berehove, with the boats and paddles reaching Ukraine in the first week of August.
“I owe a huge thank you to Hungarian Canoe Federation Secretary General Balint Szakacs for his help with administration and transportation, and to Peter Mocsy, who took on the 14-hour journey with me, including the three-and-a-half hour wait at the border,” Karai said.
“When we arrived, the people of Beregszas were very grateful, as were the Mayor and members of the council who attended the handover and hosted us for a delicious lunch.”
Karai added that there was more to come with Katalin Kovacs National Kayak-Canoe Academy, offering to help.
The Lolland IKN Kayak Club from Denmark will donate 100 touring and sprint kayaks within this year and contribute €20,000 to cover transport costs.
The Ukrainian Canoe Federation has reached an agreement with the club’s owner, Finn Larson, for the first handover to take place during the 2025 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Gyor, Hungary, in September.
“I am working with kayaks, canoes, and paddles every week. Clubs and people have now donated 100 boats, 50 paddles, and canoeing equipment, so I am proud of the Danish clubs and people,” Finn Larson, owner of Lolland IKN Kayak Club, said.
“I will take 30-40 kayaks and canoes on a trailer for the 2025 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships. The rest of the kayaks and canoes will be delivered by the end of September.
“I think there will be one more trailer in October with 50 kayaks and canoes.”
Pictures by Hungarian Canoe Federation and Lolland IKN Kayak Club.
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