The city of Ulsan, South Korea, has announced ambitious plans to establish an international slalom canoeing center, aiming to solidify itself as the new headquarters of the Asian Canoe Confederation (ACC). This initiative is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the International Canoe Federation (ICF), the ACC, the Korean Canoe Federation, Ulsan Metropolitan City, and its Sports Council. The agreement seeks not only to promote slalom canoeing in South Korea but also to enhance the country’s international presence in the sport.

ICF President Thomas Konietzko, alongside other sports leaders such as Jake Eunsuk Kim, Secretary General of the ACC, and Dugyeom Kim, Mayor of Ulsan, attended the signing ceremony. The collaboration between these entities will focus on relocating the ACC headquarters to Ulsan and organizing both national and international competitions in the city. In addition, technical support will be provided to develop and expand water sports in the region.

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The project envisions the construction of a high-performance slalom canoeing center, which is expected to be completed by 2028. Furthermore, the center will be multifunctional, serving purposes such as recreation, disaster management training, and as a key location for elite rower training. Mr. Konietzko highlighted the significance of this project in transforming Ulsan’s image, traditionally known for its industrial character, into a city focused on sports and sustainability, with the International Horticultural Expo also planned for 2028.

Mayor Kim noted that Ulsan has a historical legacy of navigation using canoe-like vessels, and the city plans to integrate this cultural heritage into the modernization of water sports. With these efforts, Ulsan is positioning itself as a key reference point for the development of slalom canoeing at the international level.