THE Redlands Coast is being positioned on the world stage with Paddle Australia confirming Queensland will be submitted to the International Canoe Federation (ICF) as the proposed host of the inaugural 2030 World Paddle Games.
Under the bid proposal, the Redland Whitewater Centre — planned for the Birkdale Community Precinct as part of Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games infrastructure — would play a key role alongside five Gold Coast venues in hosting the global event.
The proposed World Paddle Games would feature 10 World Championships and act as a major lead-in event to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with three of those championships expected to be hosted at the Redland Whitewater Centre.
Paddle Australia said the event would provide an early opportunity to activate Games infrastructure, including the Redland Whitewater Centre, while also engaging broader South-East Queensland communities.
The announcement places the Redlands at the centre of a significant international sporting push tied to the region’s long-term Olympic legacy ambitions.
It is also understood other international bids are rumoured to be emerging, with both China and Spain reportedly exploring submissions to host the inaugural event.
However, Queensland is widely believed to be the frontrunner to secure hosting rights, largely due to the region already preparing for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the significant investment underway in Games infrastructure across South-East Queensland.
Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane said the organisation believed the event could transform paddle sports participation globally while showcasing Queensland’s capabilities.
“The 2030 World Paddle Games is not simply a multi discipline world championship, it is a mass participation and active wellness/lifestyle festival event program providing an opportunity to transform paddle sport into a true lifestyle movement, and to showcase Queensland as a premier paddle destination,” Ms Crane said.
“Queensland has the venues, the expertise, the passion and the vision to deliver an event that will inspire the world and leave a lasting legacy for Australian sport.
“We are proud to be at the front-line of this new era for the ICF.
“Australians fell in love with our Olympic and Paralympic paddlers during the Paris 2024 Games where we achieved our best ever results, including three gold medals in Canoe Slalom courtesy of Jess and Noemie Fox, gold for four-time Paralympic champion Curtis McGrath as well as two silver and two bronze medals for our Olympic sprint kayakers and Paracanoe athletes.”
Paddle Australia said the bid had been developed in partnership with Tourism Events Queensland, Experience Gold Coast and Events Management Queensland, with economic impacts already assessed as part of the process.
The organisation confirmed it was in active discussions with Federal, State and Gold Coast and Redland City Council to secure funding and support for the bid.
If successful, the event would provide one of the first major international showcases for the Redland Whitewater Centre ahead of Brisbane 2032, while also helping drive tourism, grassroots participation and international exposure for the Redlands Coast region.
The bid also comes amid continued discussion around the long-term Olympic legacy role of the Birkdale Community Precinct and associated whitewater facility, which has been promoted as a key part of the region’s 2032 infrastructure future.
