News

Portuguese canoe sprinter Fernando Pimenta received the World Paddle Award in sportsman of the year category after an amazing season 2018. He became the first Portuguese kayaker to win a world title in an Olympic event after winning the K1M 1000 metres event at the ICF World Championships. He also won the 5000 metres event and became European Champion in Belgrade. “"I'm so happy to win this great award and I feel honoured to join this impressive group of athletes,” said Pimenta.

 

 

The 2018 Junior Canoe Freestyle European Champion Ottilie Robinson Shaw received an award for Junior of the year. She is the fifth girl in a row to receive the award in this category. “The award means so much, I am honoured but equally humbled that so many people and the panel voted for me. The competition was seriously impressive, the junior athletes so talented, I didn't think I would make the final three so the award is especially encouraging and motivating for me. Thank you,” she said after receiving the award.

 

 

Men’s German canoe polo team has been among the best for many years now. The German team had won five silver and three bronze medals in the twelve World Championships staged since the first event in Great Britain, and they finally won gold in 2018 at World Championships in Canada. This earned them the first team award ever awarded at World Paddle Awards.

 

 

This year’s edition brought the first tie in any of the categories. There were two winners in Media professional category. One award went to Germany thanks to Olaf Obsommer, who is a filmmaker and producer, and the other to Czech journalist and former paddler Daniel Stach.

 

 

The Academy Award is given solely at the discretion of the World Paddle Awards Academy with over 40 members, for recognising exceptional achievements. So far only three people have had the honour to receive this award: Jessica Fox (2014), Sebastian Brendel (2015) and Hank McGregor (2017). This year the award went to Aniol and Gerd Serrasolses from Spain.

 

 

Australian canoe slalom paddler Jessica Fox won her second consecutive sportswoman of the year award, Claudia Kerckhoff van Wijk from Canada received lifetime achievement award, foundation award went to the hands of American Joe Mornini and Team River Runner, while Laurence Vincent Lapointe from Canada won the third Academy Award of this year’s edition.