MCF establish links with Sicilian kayak neighbours

The Malta Canoe Federation (MCF) recently established ties with Circolo Canoa Catania during a one-day visit to the Sicilian club.

While in Sicily, the members of the MCF met with club manager Fabrizio Messina and Daniele Insabella, the national advisor for FICK in Sicily. Discussions were held to send Maltese canoeists to train with the Catania club as well as take part in some of the regional competitions, the MCF said in a statement.

Circolo Canoa Catania caters for various water sport disciplines, including flatwater racing, sea kayaking, dragon boat racing and canoe polo.

The Catania dragon boat team recently placed first in the Italian National Championships and the MCF delegates were given the opportunity to join in a training session - a first for local canoeists.

Members of the women's Italian Canoe Polo team also train at the club under the supervision of world-class coach Sandra Catania.

Canoe polo is still in its infancy in Malta and requires good coaching in order to bring local players up to a competitive level.

The MCF invited Catania to hold two training sessions in Malta. Furthermore, the MCF proposed that Maltese canoeists be given the opportunity to train with her kayakers at Circolo Canoa Catania.

Flatwater training takes places in the Catania harbour with technical sessions being held in a small river just off the harbour. This provides athletes with multiple space to practise sprints and would therefore make for an excellent training location for Maltese athletes. The local flatwater team is aiming to participate in some of the clubs races as well as other regional races this summer.