FEEDBACK ON WORLD MARATHON CANOE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017

INTRODUCTION – WMC 2017 Venue - Pietermaritzburg KZN. Date - 4 to 10 September 2017. Countries taking part - 32 Number of competitors - 700 spectators – 10 000 World Wide viewing – over 100 000

OVERVIEW Over seven hundred athletes from thirty two countries attended the WMC between 4 to 10 September 2107. Natal Canoe Club hosted the event on behalf of the International Canoe Federation ( ICF ). Countries attending were SA, Hungary, Russia, USA, Japan, Italy , Germany, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, Serbia, Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Canada, Czech Republic, Columbia, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Ukraine. The ICF sent 25 officials to assist with the running of the WMC. The event was also Live Streamed to 72 countries. This was done with 6 cameras on the race course and 2 drones.

MEDIA Gameplan Media was commissioned to handle the Media/PR, digital PR and social media elements of the 2017 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships. This included an umbrella strategy formulation, registration of the website domains, securing social media accounts and to endeavour to deliver consistency with the digital title WMC2017 and #WMC2017. Website Statistics WMC2017.co.za Unique visitors: 49 607 Number of visits: 70 820 Pages read: 382 828 Top Results downloads: Men’s K1 1502 Men’s U23 K1 1362 Women’s K1 1342 Junior Girls K1 1298

LIVE STREAMING High emphasis was placed on the live streaming of each session of the event, using the PlanetCanoe YouTube channel as a platform for distribution of the live streaming feed. BigShotMedia was commissioned to provide the video production services to the event, based on their desire to provide the service within a very tight budget restriction, their experience providing live streaming for The Dusi Canoe Marathon and their track record with demanding outdoor endurance events. YOUTUBE – Planet Canoe views Thursday - 25507 Friday – 33441 Saturday – 25 254 views Sunday - 20 528 views

TOURISM AND ACCOMODATION Howick Travel booked accommodation for a total of 282 overseas participants, coaches and spectators from 32 different countries. This amounted to a total of 743 bed nights booked over the course of a week. All of the above individuals were accommodated in the Tsogo Sun, Stay Easy Hotel, Southern Sun Pietermaritzburg Hotel, Ascot inn, Regal Inn and Protea Hilton. Over and above that we had some individuals visit the following sights either on day excursions or for a three day trip: Nelson Mandela Capture Site Howick Falls Midlands Meander Tala Valley Game Reserve Shakaland St Lucia Wetlands Hluhluwe Game Reserve Isandlwana

WINNERS Alex Masina who trains at Natal Canoe Club and raced against the best canoeists from 32 countries finished 3rd overall in the Under 18 Race. Alex is the 1st black canoeist ever to win a medal at any World Marathon Championships.

WINNERS Hank Mcgregor from Durban raced in the men's senior race and won his 10th World Marathon Championships. Hank was cheered on by a huge crowd watching at Camps Drift.

WMC OPENING CEREMONY WMC opening Ceremony was held at Maritzburg College and attended by over 700 guests. His Worship the Pietermaritzburg Mayor welcomed all guests to Pietermaritzburg, KZN and SA and encouraged them to visit the many cultural sites around the city of choice.

SPONSORS Natal Canoe Club would like to thank all our sponsors who ensured the success of the amazing event. All teams from around the world emphasised that this was the best WMC held to date. Euro Steel Sport and Recreation KZN Dept Tourism Stihl Tudor Snacks Harcourts Aquelle Bluff Meat Supplies

WMC 2017 FEEDBACK

WMC 2017 FEEDBACK

WMC 2017 FEEDBACK

WMC 2017 FEEDBACK

WMC 2017 FEEDBACK

CONCLUSION With everyone's support Natal Canoe Club was able to put on world class event and all visitors have informed us this was the best WMC they have ever attended. I thank you for all you have done to ensure a successful championships. Kind Regards Steve Botha Race Director World Marathon Championships