A delegation from the International Canoe Federation (ICF) and Paddle Australia met with Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell on 23 January 2026 to discuss strategies to best position Redlands Coast in the lead up to and beyond the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Delegates included ICF President Thomas Konietzko, ICF Secretary-General Richard Petitt, ICF Slalom Chair Richard Fox, Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane, and Chair of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) Athletes’ Commission Ken Wallace.
Redlands Coast is an event venue city for Canoe Slalom for the Brisbane 2032 Games with the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre to be constructed at Birkdale Community Precinct.
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The Mayor, who is also Chair of the Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group, said the delegation meeting complemented Council’s own legacy planning and that Council must now seek out opportunities to engage and activate the venue.
“It was a positive opportunity to hear from the delegates about their international strategies, such as community activation, sustainability, wellbeing and recreation,” the Mayor said.
“It was also an opportunity to discuss how to grow paddle sports from the grass roots up on Redlands Coast – including come-and-try programs, pre-Games training, and attracting potential national and international events.
“Paddle Australia gave an update at the meeting on its bid for the inaugural 2030 World Paddle Games which bring together all 10 ICF disciplines in a single global competition and festival.
“Games events are expected to include the Olympic formats of Canoe Sprint, Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross, as well as Paracanoe, Canoe Marathon, Wildwater Canoeing, Ocean Racing, Canoe Polo, Canoe Freestyle, Dragon Boat and Stand Up Paddling.
“Redlands Coast presents an ideal location to help stage this world-first event and to include Canoe Slalom at the Redland Whitewater Centre which is due for completion in 2030.
“It is important to secure events to support the project and its legacy.”
ICF President Thomas Konietzko said the Redland Whitewater Centre project represented exactly the kind of forward-thinking the sport encouraged to provide a world-class facility shaped by community needs and long-term vision.
“It was extremely encouraging to discuss with the Mayor how the Redland Whitewater Centre project can support participation, sustainability and international competition, including the exciting opportunity for Redlands to be part of Paddle Australia’s bid to host the inaugural World Paddle Games ahead of Brisbane 2032,” Mr Konietzko said.
ICF Slalom Chair Richard Fox said from a Canoe Slalom perspective, the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre had the potential to set a new international benchmark.
“What makes the Redland Whitewater Centre project particularly compelling is the legacy first approach and a clear focus on community use, athlete development and long-term legacy,” he said.
“Bringing experts together at this early stage, and engaging directly with the Mayor on how Redlands can welcome the international paddling community, reflects exactly the kind of joined-up thinking required in the lead-up to 2032.”
ICF Secretary General Richard Pettit said it was fantastic to see a truly world-class Canoe Slalom facility being developed with a clear community-first strategy at its core.
“The approach is what delivers genuine, long-term impact, benefiting local communities, athletes and the sport well beyond a single Games cycle,” he said.
“From concept through to delivery, we have been delighted to bring international expertise to the table, and it was a real pleasure to meet with Mayor Mitchell to discuss how Redlands can play a meaningful role in supporting Paddle Australia’s bid to host the inaugural World Paddle Games, just two years ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane said the vision for the Birkdale Community Precinct was truly inspiring and the organisation was excited to help bring it to life.
“Our sport and lifestyle is built on a shared enthusiasm and strong belief in creating places and dynamic, thriving communities,” she said.
“We look forward to working with the community to develop new ways to activate and enjoy the water, connecting people to Redlands Coast as a new home for paddle sports.”
The international delegation last visited Redlands Coast in early 2023 when they visited the proposed whitewater centre site on Birkdale Community Precinct.
The ICF provides global leadership to enable, inspire and activate people in the pursuit of participation and excellence in paddling activities. It represents a wide range of paddle sports, overseeing 10 core disciplines.
Paddle Australia is the peak body for paddle sports in Australia.
