The International Canoe Federation (ICF) has selected Columbus as the host city for the 2028 Canoe Freestyle World Cup and the 2029 Canoe Freestyle World Championship, marking a major milestone for the city’s thriving whitewater scene.
In a dual announcement on July 30, the Switzerland-based ICF also named Columbus its first-ever “center of excellence,” a designation expected to bring new opportunities for both amateur and elite paddlers.
Columbus: A leader in whitewater sports
Over the past 12 years, Columbus has established itself as a leader in whitewater sports following a multi-million-dollar restoration of the Chattahoochee River. The revitalized stretch of river has since become a destination for year-round kayaking, training, and international competition.
Among those celebrating the announcement is Team USA kayaker and junior world champion Mason Hargrove, a Columbus-area native who has watched the sport grow locally since childhood…