Women in paddle sport showcased their talent and determination at the International Canoe Federation Level 2 Canoe Sprint Coaching Course in Haiphong, Vietnam. 

Supported by the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Solidarity, in partnership with the ICF and the Vietnam Canoeing, Rowing and Sailing Federation, female participants achieved outstanding results. 

Nguyen Thi Ly topped the class with a total of 140 points, followed closely by Nguyen Thi Huong and Pham Thi Hoa, each earning 138. 

Led by ICF Development Manager and Flatwater Technical Advisor Sebastian Cuattrin, 59 coaches - 21 women and 38 men - attended the programme, showing a significant increase in female representation. 

An important milestone as the ICF tries to achieve gender parity in the number of coaches at World Championships and other major events, the Coaching Course in Vietnam will serve as an inspiration for more women to step forward.  

The course touched upon advanced canoe and kayak techniques, including stroke biomechanics, speed chart, impulsion, boat glide, movement coordination and physiological adaptation.  

Participants indulged in Q&As, followed by practical sessions as working groups with the help of ergometers.  

Focus was also given to energy production systems and functional metabolic areas, with Cuattrin praising the initiative from the National Federation in supporting the coaches, especially women.  

The massive number of participants, including the men’s coaches, show how invested the National Federation in Vietnam is in developing paddle sport.  

“We are incredibly proud to see the outstanding achievements of the women who participated in the Level 2 Canoe Sprint Coaching Course in Haiphong,” ICF Vice President Dr Cecilia Farias said. 

“But we are not going to stop until gender parity is achieved. The Olympic Games Paris 2024 saw an equal number of male and female athletes and officials, and we want this to be the case across departments.  

“The fact that women participants achieved the best scores truly shows what we can do with the right support, and the ICF will always make this a priority.  

“Thank you to all stakeholders involved in the Coaching Course, and we hope this is only the beginning.” 

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