Six new members enrich the World Paddle Awards Academy
Writer: Alyce Burnett - The World Paddle Awards is excited to announce the induction of six new members into the Academy. The unique alliance of some of the greatest living sporting legends and sporting figureheads ensures this Academy is able to use sport to help bring positive social change and unite the different paddlesport disciplines and cultures.
With over 200 years of experience in various facets of the paddlesports world Chris Hipgrave USA, Claire O’Hara GBR, Jeff Moag USA, Jin Shaohui CHN, Vladimir Parfenovich RUS and Bill Endicott USA will be invaluable additions to the current Academy. Each of them have made a tremendous impact in their chosen areas and are 100% committed to further developing the sport.
Chris Hipgrave offers an abundance of expertise across several disciplines. He has represented the USA at multiple ICF Wildwater World Championships and World Cups, is a nationally ranked regional surfski paddler and a creek race champion, with many course records still to his name. Fuelled by his passion for paddlesports and the outdoors he is now the General Manager at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which is Americas largest outdoor recreation company.
A passion for paddlesports is something all of these new academy members share. Claire O’Hara is no exception. Claire is the most successful female freestyle paddler of all time, winning a combined 8 World Championships. She also holds a degree in sports development and is a highly qualified outdoor instructor, first aid trainer and assessor, and sports coach. These qualifications alongside her competitive knowledge make her assistance invaluable at all levels of the sport.
The next member of the Academy is a self professed jack of all trades but master of none. Jeff Moag's love for the sport has lead him to become the editor of Canoe & Kayak Magazine, the world’s largest paddling publication. Based in the United States, C&K is a broad-interest magazine covering every facet of paddlesports, with particular emphasis on sea kayaking, open canoeing and whitewater. He also led the team that founded SUP Magazine (USA) and serves as Executive Editor of Kayak Fish magazine and director of the annual C&K Awards.
Jin Shaohui is another invaluable member of the academy who has helped lift the profile of paddlesports in China. His company Beijing Shang Young Media have developed a strong relationship with CCTV (Chinese Central Television) and other big media outlets and play an integral role in organising paddling events in China. In addition to his work with Beijing Shang Young Media, Jin has held many positions within the Chinese Canoe Federation including coach, team manager and marketing director.
Vladimir Parfenovich will go down in history as one of the most successful canoe sprint paddlers having won a combined total of 12 Olympic and World Championship titles. After retiring from canoeing, Vladimir worked as an instructor for the Sports Ministry in Belarus, served in the KGB, was a representative for an Austrian firm and served time as the President of the Belarus Canoe Federation.
William ‘Bill” Endicott needs no introduction. He is one of the most respected individuals in the paddlesports community having given more than 40 years to the sport as an innovator, athlete, coach, manager and author. He has has quietly and masterfully transformed and inspired athletes and teams from around the world into Olympic, world and national champions. He also helped revolutionise the slalom discipline, laying the foundation for what it is today.
The World Paddle Awards recognise the diversity of people and organisations in the community and honour the hard work they put into paddlesports. The six new members of the Academy personify these exact traits and are dedicated to sharing their love for this sport.
More new Academy members will be announced later this year to further strengthen the World Paddle Awards Academy.