Canoe/Kayak
A recreational and competitive activity involving the use of small, narrow, lightweight boats that are pointed at both ends and propelled by paddles
Canoeing started mainly as a recreational activity and continues to be popular among many Australians.
A national organisation to oversee canoe and kayak participation was first proposed in 1947, ahead of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, with the Australian Canoe Federation holding its first meeting in September 1949.1
Discover more about canoe and kayak
Clearinghouse evidence base
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make paddle activities more inclusive and accessible.
- Australian Sport History - history and Hall of Fame information about paddle sports.
Evolution:
- Australian Canoe Federation [1949-1996]
- Australian Canoeing [1996-2018]
- Paddle Australia [2018-]
Participation
An estimated 225,000 Australians [aged 15+] participated in canoe/kayak at least once in 2025. 2
An estimated 6,000 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in canoe/kayak at least once in 2025. 2
An estimated 110,000 Australian women and 115,000 Australian men [aged 15+] participated in canoe/kayak at least once in 2025. 2
Explore further participation statistics for xxx through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Paddle Australia, opens in a new tab is the organisation recognised by government at all levels as the National controlling body for paddle sports in Australia. 1
The national body for canoeing was established on 10 September 1949 as the Australian Canoe Federation. The organisation was renamed Australian Canoeing in 1996 and rebranded as Paddle Australia in 2018 to better reflect the broad range of activities and disciplines it represents.
These include canoe slalom, canoe sprint and paracanoe, canoe freestyle, marathon and ocean racing, canoe polo, stand-up paddling, and wildwater canoeing. Paddle Australia also supports paddling safety, education, training, and recreational participation. 1
Documents
The Clearinghouse for Sport has sought permission from relevant organisations for the inclusion of their documents in this archive. Copyright ownership remains vested with the organisation and as such permission from the copyright owner should be sought if you wish to communicate, adapt or reproduce these documents.
- Paddle Australia Annual Report 2025[PDF • 21.52 mb]
- Paddle Australia Annual Report 2024[PDF • 16.98 mb]
- Paddle Australia Annual Report 2023[PDF • 7.96 mb]
- Paddle Australia Annual Report 2022[PDF • 5.68 mb]
- Paddle Australia Annual Report 2021[PDF • 11.22 mb]
- Paddle Australia Annual Report 2020[PDF • 8.97 mb]
- Paddle Australia Annual Report 2019[PDF • 7.65 mb]
- Paddle Australia Annual Report 2018[PDF • 3.88 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2017[PDF • 8.76 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2016[PDF • 8.32 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2015[PDF • 5.81 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2014[PDF • 5.45 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2013[PDF • 9.51 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2012[PDF • 11.91 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2011[PDF • 3.2 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2010[PDF • 8.18 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2009[PDF • 2.12 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2008[PDF • 4.49 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2007[PDF • 7.65 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2006[PDF • 6.01 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2005[PDF • 5.72 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2003-2004[PDF • 949.18 kb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2002-2003[PDF • 1.58 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2001-2002[PDF • 1.27 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 2000-2001[PDF • 411.92 kb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 1999-2000[PDF • 10.47 mb]
- Australian Canoeing Annual Report 1998-1999[PDF • 1.75 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1994[PDF • 4.69 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1992[PDF • 4.48 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1991[PDF • 5.89 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1990[PDF • 6.71 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1989[PDF • 2.18 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1987-1988[PDF • 3.73 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1986[PDF • 6.01 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1985[PDF • 3.62 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1984[PDF • 5.86 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1982-1983[PDF • 2.29 mb]
- Australian Canoe Federation Annual Report 1980-1981[PDF • 3.31 mb]
Annual reports 1981-1982; 1987; 1993; 1995-1998 not held
- Paddle Forward 32: Paddle Australia Strategic Plan 2025-2032[PDF • 10 mb]
- Paddle Australia Strategic Plan 2020-2024[PDF • 1.48 mb]
- Strategic Plan for Paddling in Australia 2018[PDF • 446.78 kb]
- Australian Canoeing Strategic Plan 2015-2017[PDF • 632.91 kb]
- Go Paddling! Australian Canoeing Strategic Plan 2010-2014[PDF • 1.09 mb]
- Paddle Australia High Performance Program Strategic Plan 2022-2032[PDF • 2.22 mb]
- Paddle Australia National Volunteer Action Plan 2024-2028[PDF • 1.55 mb]
- Review of the delivery of the sport of canoeing in Australia: addendum to the [2006] report (2007)[PDF • 693.67 kb]
- Review of the delivery of the sport of canoeing in Australia: Executive summary (2006)[PDF • 294.36 kb]
- Review of the delivery of the sport of canoeing in Australia: Executive summary appendices (2006)[PDF • 69.8 kb]
- Review of the delivery of the sport of canoeing in Australia: Report (2006)[PDF • 673.38 kb]
- Review of the delivery of the sport of canoeing in Australia: Report appendices (2006)[PDF • 439.82 kb]
- Australian Canoeing Financial Review Report (July 2001)[PDF • 4.54 mb]
- Paddle Australia LGBTQ Inclusion Policy (May 2023)[PDF • 239.33 kb]
REFERENCES
- Our History, opens in a new tab, Paddle Australia, (accessed 7 January 2026).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 6 May 2026)
Content disclaimer: See Clearinghouse for Sport disclaimer
Is this information complete? The Clearinghouse for Sport is a sector-wide knowledge sharing initiative, and as such your contributions are encouraged and appreciated. If you would like to suggest a resource, submit a publication, or provide feedback on this page, please contact us.
