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IWGA Member Federation since 1999.
Learn more about Kayak Polo and Marathon Paddle.
Paddle – three high-action water sports
Disciplines at The World Games 2025: Dragon Boat, Marathon Paddle, Kayak Polo
Paddle is a dynamic team sport contested on open water or in a swimming pool. Kayak Polo combines paddling and ball-handling skills within a contact team game. Two teams of five, sitting in kayaks, aim to score more goals than the opponent; the goals are located 2 metres above water level. Two halves of 10 minutes are played per game. The team scoring most goals wins the match.
In K1 Marathon Paddle, athletes paddle a kayak over 2 distances (Long and Short). Marathon Paddle entertains spectators by combining flatwater paddling skills with an obstacle run, where athletes have to carry their boat. Courses are covered in laps with several portages (artificial or real).
Dragon Boat racing has been an invitational sport in The World Games three times, and is included fully for the first time at Chengdu. Chinese in origin, the sport uses unique boats that are decorated with dragon features (head, tail, scales). Paddlers sit facing forwards on both sides, each having one paddle. At The World Games there are 6 classes: races cover 3 distances (200, 500 and 2000 m), with crews of 8 or 10 athletes.
