News

Paddle Europe is pleased to welcome Hungarian boat manufacturer HODY as its newest official partner, further strengthening its network of companies committed to the development and future of paddle sport across Europe.

HODY joins Paddle Europe’s existing boat manufacturing partners NELO, Plastex and Peisheng. This new agreement opens the door to joint initiatives designed to respond to emerging needs and opportunities across paddle sport.

In the short term, Paddle Europe wants to encourage cooperation between its different partners in areas such as competitions for younger age groups, the development of new boats and formats for paracanoe athletes, and initiatives connected to recreational paddling.

One recent example of this approach was the Mixed KL3 K2 test held during the 2026 Paddle Europe Sprint and Paracanoe Championships in Montemor-o-Velho. The initiative explored the potential of a new mixed crew-boat format for paracanoe athletes and demonstrated Paddle Europe’s willingness to test innovative ideas in a real competition environment.

“Welcoming HODY is important not only because we are adding another experienced European manufacturer to our network, but also because we share the same ambition to transform partnerships into practical development projects. Together with HODY, NELO, Plastex and Peisheng, we want to explore new opportunities for young paddlers, support innovation in paracanoe and help make our sport more accessible at recreational level. Our partners should not simply support our competitions; they should actively contribute to building the future of paddle sport,” said Jovana Stanojevic, CEO of Paddle Europe.

For Paddle Europe, the agreement strengthens a partnership model built around practical collaboration and measurable benefits for national federations, clubs, coaches and athletes.

Innovation for the next generation

Founded in Hungary in 1986, HODY celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. The company has combined boat manufacturing with a strong commitment to youth development and innovation in canoe sprint.

One of HODY’s most distinctive projects is the MK-4, a four-person mini kayak specifically designed for children. The concept was created after the company identified that standard adult K4 boats were not suitable for introducing young paddlers to crew-boat training and competition.

The project was later expanded to include mini canoe models such as the MC-4. These boats allow children to experience crew-boat paddling while developing coordination, technique, communication and team spirit from an early age.

The MK-4 has been included in the Hungarian Canoe Federation’s youth competition system since 2010, with demonstration races previously organised during major international competitions in Szeged.

“HODY has always believed that there can be no elite sport without strong youth development. The future of canoeing begins with the experience we give children when they first enter a boat, learn to paddle together and discover the enjoyment of being part of a team. Through this partnership with Paddle Europe, we want to share our experience internationally and develop projects that can support young athletes, coaches, clubs and federations throughout Europe,” said Beatrix Varga-Hódy, CEO of HODY.

By combining HODY’s boat-building experience with Paddle Europe’s network of national federations, organisers, coaches and athletes, the organisations aim to develop initiatives that can benefit both the current canoeing community and the next generation of paddlers.

Mini K4 and C4 exhibition races in Szeged

The partnership between HODY and the Hungarian Canoe Federation will have a public showcase this Sunday, 26 July, during the final day of the 2026 Paddle Europe Junior and Under 23 Sprint Championships in Szeged.

The programme will include MK-4 and MC-4 exhibition races, featuring four-person mini boats in both kayak and canoe. Young paddlers will compete in models specifically designed for their age group, presenting a competition concept that combines education, teamwork and enjoyment.

The demonstration is particularly symbolic, as Szeged has played an important role in the history and international promotion of HODY’s mini boats. It will also provide the international canoeing community with an opportunity to discover a concept designed to make crew-boat paddling accessible from an early age.