THE proposed Redland Whitewater Centre at Birkdale could become the stage for what international sporting leaders hope will become the biggest celebration of paddle sport on the planet.
As Queensland pushes to secure hosting rights for the inaugural 2030 World Paddle Games, the International Canoe Federation (ICF) has revealed ambitious plans for the event, describing it as the future flagship festival of paddle sports worldwide.
If Queensland’s bid is successful, the Redlands Coast is expected to play a major role, with the Redland Whitewater Centre earmarked to host Canoe Slalom and potentially additional world championship disciplines.
But according to the sport’s international governing body, the World Paddle Games is about much more than elite competition.
“The World Paddle Games represents a significant evolution in how paddle sports are presented to the world,” an ICF spokesperson said.
“Our ambition is to create a festival that brings together multiple paddle disciplines in one destination, showcasing the diversity, accessibility and excitement of paddle sport.”
The event would bring together 10 world championship disciplines under a single banner for the first time, attracting thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and supporters from around the globe.
While the International Canoe Federation has declined to identify rival bidders, it confirmed discussions have been held with interested parties from around the world.
Reports have linked both China and Spain to the race for hosting rights, although the ICF would not confirm the nations involved while the selection process remains active.
“The ICF has held discussions with a range of stakeholders around the world regarding the World Paddle Games concept,” the ICF spokesperson said.
“As we are currently engaged in an active bid process, it would not be appropriate to comment on specific parties or the status of individual discussions.”
Organisers also envision a major program of tourism, cultural and community activities running alongside the sporting competition.
“The event is designed to be much more than a collection of world championships,” the ICF spokesperson said.
“It will provide a platform for athlete storytelling, innovation, participation programmes, tourism activation, cultural exchange and community engagement.”
For Redlands Coast, that vision aligns closely with efforts to establish the proposed whitewater centre as a long-term community and tourism asset rather than simply an Olympic venue.
By combining elite competition with participation opportunities and community engagement, the federation hopes to introduce paddle sports to entirely new audiences.
“The World Paddle Games has the potential to attract new audiences, create new commercial opportunities and strengthen paddle sport’s position within the global sporting landscape,” the ICF spokesperson said.
The federation strongly believes the event could become the defining showcase for paddle sports internationally.
“Ultimately, we see the World Paddle Games becoming the flagship celebration of paddle sport worldwide, inspiring more people to connect with the water and creating a powerful platform for the continued growth of our sport and the lifestyle it represents across every continent,” the ICF spokesperson said.
For Redlands Coast and the Bayside, securing a prominent role in that vision would place the region at the centre of a world-first sporting event expected to shape the future of paddle sports for decades to come.
Queensland’s bid remains under consideration by the International Canoe Federation, with a final decision expected in late July.
