Gath Sports and the International Canoe Federation Partner to Advance Safety and Development in Global Paddle Sports

Australia — Gath Sports is proud to announce an official partnership with the International Canoe Federation (ICF), marking an important milestone in the continued evolution of athlete safety, innovation, and the global development of paddle sports.

Recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the ICF is the worldwide governing body for canoe and kayak sports, representing 170 national federations across 10 paddle sport disciplines. Together, the ICF and Gath Sports share a common vision: supporting athletes at every level while raising safety standards through innovation, education, and access to world-class protective equipment.

As part of the agreement, Gath Sports becomes the Official ICF Development Equipment Partner, supporting the federation’s international development programmes and helping equip athletes from emerging canoe nations with industry-leading protective helmets.

Supporting the Next Generation of Athletes

The partnership begins with immediate impact at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City, USA, where 20 Gath helmets have been supplied for athletes participating in the ICF Development Camp.

The initiative ensures developing athletes have access to the same high-quality protective equipment trusted by elite competitors, reinforcing both organisations’ commitment to creating safer pathways into international competition.

Beyond equipment support, the partnership will focus on education, innovation, and the ongoing development of safety standards across the global paddling community.

 

Four Years of Innovation for Kayak Cross

The collaboration follows years of dedicated research and development by Gath Sports to create the world’s first purpose-built Kayak Cross Helmet Kit.

Developed over more than four years, the system combines Gath’s renowned lightweight helmet technology with a specially engineered titanium face guard designed specifically for the demands of modern Kayak Cross racing.

One of the helmet’s defining features is its modular design, allowing athletes to quickly remove the face guard when competing in Kayak Cross time trials or other canoe disciplines without changing helmets. The result is a versatile system that delivers elite protection while adapting to multiple competition formats.

Years of athlete feedback, extensive testing, and continuous refinement culminated in the official launch of the helmet during the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, where it received approval for international competition.

The achievement represented a historic milestone for the sport and further demonstrated Gath Sports’ long-standing commitment to developing innovative safety solutions specifically designed for water sports.

 

A Shared Vision for the Future

Both organisations see the partnership as far more than an equipment agreement. It represents a long-term commitment to supporting athletes, coaches, national federations, and developing nations while helping shape the future of paddle sports through continued innovation and education.

“This partnership is about more than helmets. It is about supporting the growth of paddle sports worldwide, improving athlete safety, and continuing to innovate for the future of the sport,” said Federico Infantino, Marketing and Team Manager at Gath Sports.

“We are incredibly proud to work alongside the International Canoe Federation and contribute to the development of paddling at every level.”

ICF Vice President Dr. Cecilia Farias welcomed the collaboration and highlighted its importance for the federation’s development programmes.

“It is fantastic to welcome Gath Sports as an ICF Development Equipment Partner,” said Dr. Farias.

“This partnership is especially valuable for the athletes participating in our development programme, providing them with access to world-class protective equipment.

Athlete safety is always a priority for the ICF, and by working together we can continue to raise safety standards, support developing nations, and help ensure paddlers at every level have the opportunity to train and compete with confidence.”

 

More Than 35 Years of Protecting Water Athletes

Founded in Australia, Gath Sports has spent more than three decades pioneering protective helmets for water sports. Since introducing the world’s first surfing helmet in 1989, Gath has become trusted by professional athletes, national teams, rescue organisations, coaches, and recreational paddlers around the globe.

Designed for lightweight performance, comfort, durability, and certified impact protection, Gath helmets continue to be tested in some of the world’s most demanding environments—from heavy surf and whitewater rapids to offshore rescue operations and Olympic-level competition.

Through this new partnership with the International Canoe Federation, Gath Sports continues its mission of helping athletes push their limits safely while supporting the next generation of paddlers through innovation, education, and world-class protective equipment.

As paddle sports continue to grow around the world, the partnership between Gath Sports and the ICF signals a shared commitment to ensuring that athlete safety evolves alongside performance—creating stronger opportunities for competitors today and inspiring future generations tomorrow.