Canoe-Kayak in Cesson-Sévigné

In 1867, a Scotsman named Mac Gregor landed in France in "Rob Roy", a wooden kayak inspired by ancestral vessels. This event marked the beginning of the modern era of canoeing. The first Canoe-Kayak club was founded in 1904 on the banks of the Marne: the Canoe-Kayak Club de France in Bry sur Marne. Other clubs, sports associations governed by the Law of 1901, followed.

The French Canoe-Kayak and Paddle Sport Federation was founded in 1931 as a result of the desire of these clubs to join forces and organise canoeing.

Today, the Federation has more than 700 clubs, welcoming more than half a million enthusiasts either on a regular or occasional basis. The Federation has been delegated by the government to organise 11 disciplines: road racing, slalom, downhill, kayak polo, marathon, freestyle, ocean racing, Va'a, waveski surfing and dragon boat. Trekking, rafting and stand-up paddle are also disciplines practised in our clubs for recreational purposes..

Team Relay in Cesson-Sévigné, June 1.

The community of Cesson has been home to the Pôle France and the Pôle Espoir for many years. The Breton region provides all our French teams with athletes and staff. Furthermore, the local club has an athlete selected for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Titouan Castryck.

The Relay will represent the variety of environments in which canoeing is practised: calm water, white water and the sea. The equipment for the Olympic disciplines (slalom and sprint) will be displayed either in single-seaters or in crews.

For the first time in the history of the Games, each day of the Olympic Torch Relay and Paralympic Torch Relay, relay teams of 24 people, made up of champions, everyday athletes, volunteers, referees, coaches, etc. will be organized to spread the energy of sport and teamwork throughout the country.