Throughout history people have employed the canoe for its speed, endurance and efficiency – perhaps even Malta’s ancestors. Modern canoeing is more sophisticated, but the fundamentals remain the same, and these are still valued by the Malta Canoe Federation.
A few years before the canoe federation was conceived (1991), the secretary of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) visited Malta and saw the September traditional regatta. Snr. Orsi remarked to Malta Olympic Committee officials that canoeing would be an ideal Olympic sport for Malta, tentatively inviting Malta to the world championships.
It is perhaps somewhat ironic that 15 years later, Maltese athletes are going international in the sport of canoeing and not rowing. This is thanks to the continued assistance of the MOC and the ICF.
Local canoeists have been competing overseas since 1997, and 2006 heralds Malta’s third World Sprint Championships. So Maltese canoeists are still taking up Snr. Orsi’s challenge.
Elite athletes are assisted by the MOC in getting to the ‘Worlds’ and to ICF technical director Csaba Stanzo’s infamous sprint training camps, but the MOC’s vision is even wider than that and also covers performance monitoring, sport psychology and gym access aimed at moulding the next potential champions.
But what about you and me? Is the MCF just about sprint racing and elite athletes? Well the answer is clearly no; the MCF realised early on that any sports pyramid in Malta is only as big as its base. As such, the MCF caters for as many canoeing disciplines as possible so there is something to suit everyone.
Although it is impossible to practice white water river and dragon boat racing, disciplines like marathon, surfing, slalom and canoe polo are all popular. The latter combines the speed of ice hockey, the tactics of basketball and a strong all-year-round water polo feel, and this dynamic team sport has really taken off as the new kid on the block in Malta, with regular matches and plenty of space for new teams. But canoeing is not only about competition; it is also important to remember that touring and sea kayaking are the mainstay of any canoe-orientated baseline.
There are risk factors inherent in any water sport, and to ignore these would be irresponsible. Proactively the MCF offers recognised coaching courses at certain times throughout the year. The idea is to give beginners an introduction to boat handling skills, safety features and knowledge that should be useful once the beginner is ready to buy his or her own equipment or venture out onto the water.
More advanced courses cover quite intense rescue seminars, Eskimo rolling, canoe polo and even how to coach the sport. These courses are all friendly affairs all run efficiently by volunteers, with fun and the beginners’ safety firmly at the top of the list.
Anyone wanting to know more about this sport can visit the MCF’s website site www.mcf.org.mt or send an email to [email protected]; those wishing to have-a-go may contact one of its members on 79537183.
University students, junior college and MCAST students can also come along to watch a knockout tournament during the MUSC Sports Festival where a display match of caneo polo will be taking place at the National Swimming Pool on Friday, 28 April between 11am–1pm. Four teams will be competing. Any interested students wishing to form a team may contact Chris Camilleri on 99464372 by 20 April.