The finest foreign paddlers across the globe will troop to Puerto Princesa City during the country’s staging of the International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Championships from Oct. 28 to Nov. 4.

Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation president Leonora Escollante said at least 20 countries have already enlisted as the federation expects a much bigger turnout compared to the previous edition of the world championships held in Racice, Czech Republic back in 2022.

``This early, we already surpassed the participation during the previous world championships and more countries are anticipated to come over with the competition still six months away,’’ said Escollante.

Aside from the Philippines, top notch paddlers from Germany, Hungary, Sweden, France, Czech Republic, Canada, Spain and the United States have confirmed attendance.

Dragon boat specialists from India, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, Macau, Hong Kong, Myanmar and Cambodia are likewise set to arrive, easily overshadowing the Czech Republic participation of 15 countries.

An estimated 3,500 paddlers from 35 to 50 countries across the globe are anticipated to see action in the world championships, all of them eager to experience one of the most elite beach destinations on the planet.

Escollante announced that the country would also host for the first time an international technical officiating course two days before the opening of the world championships, providing a rare opportunity for national technical officials to elevate their craft.

``I’m calling all our local technical officials to join this activity. This is a rare chance for them to upgrade as international technical officials,’’ said Escollante.

ICF President Thomas Konietzko recently led a delegation in a successful site visit where they were provided with a rundown of the progress on the preparations of the biggest sports spectacle in the Philippines this year.

``It’s an honor for Puerto Princesa to host an event of this magnitude. This is a significant challenge for us, but once we get started and achieve success, it means that organizing and hosting larger events will become much easier for us,’’ said Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Rodriguez Bayron.

The PCKDF and the organizing committee together with the ICF, are looking forward to witness all national dragon boat teams to race in the 200 meters, 500m and 2000m distances.

The Philippine Canoe and Kayak Federation (PCKF) is the governing body of all paddling sports in the Philippines, which include  canoe and kayak sprints, slalom canoe, stand-up paddling (SUP) outrigger canoe ocean racing and dragon boat.

The PCKF is a regular member of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), South East Asian Traditional Boat Association, Asian Canoe Confederation (ACC) and the ICF as recognized as such by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Bayron welcomed Konietzko along with ICF Dragon Boat Commission Chair Dr. Wai-Hung Luk and the rest of the delegation, who were all impressed by Puerto Princesa’s mission to protect the natural environment.

``It’s tough to bid for the world championship hosting, but they love to do it in the Philippines to see its beauty and experience the world-famous hospitality of the Filipinos,’’ said Escollante, the indefatigable canoe-kayak dragonboat chief who spearheaded the nation’s staging of the event.
Medals are at stake in the open, women and mixed events in several age categories and distances.

Projected to attract thousands of paddlers all over the world, the week-long meet also serves as qualifier for the World Games in Chengdu, China on Aug. 9-10, 2025.

``I fully expect the beautiful city of Puerto Princesa to deliver a superb ICF Dragon Boat World Championships. It’s an event that should not be missed and I am sure it will be a memorable experience for any team that will travel here later this year,’’ said Dr. Luk.