Hanover is hosting the Finals – Germany’s largest multi-sport event – for the first time. Around 4,000 athletes from 24 sports will be competing for a total of 143 German championship titles. Canoeing will be represented on the Maschsee with four disciplines: canoe sprint, paracanoe sprint, stand-up paddleboarding and canoe polo. Spectators can look forward to a varied programme across all four days of competition. Karl Hauk, Vice-President for Competitive Sport, explains: “I am looking forward to exciting competitions at the Finals in Hanover. Our aim is to showcase the diversity and fascination of canoeing to spectators. I wish all the athletes fair competitions and hope that the intensive planning by everyone involved will be rewarded with a successful event.” Admission to all canoeing competitions is free. Anyone unable to attend in person can follow the action live via the ARD and ZDF streams.
160-metre parallel sprint
The stand-up paddlers will contest their German Championships in a spectacular parallel sprint format over the short 160-metre distance. In the women’s event, a top-class field of eight athletes will compete. Skadi Langbein from WPH Berlin dominated the last two editions, winning in 2023 and 2025. The Berlin native is aiming for her third consecutive title in Hanover. Her strongest competition comes from the capital of Lower Saxony itself: Julia Georgi and Efe Eribo from HKC Hannover 1921 know the conditions on the Maschsee inside out and are looking to make their mark in front of a home crowd. Oda Diestel from Kanu-Verein Laubegast Dresden, Frederike Ohnesorge from SUPSTART Spandau, Laila Daskiran from WPH Berlin, Sonja Straub from Kanu-Club Radolfzell and Vivien Franke from Wasserfreunde Spandau 04 complete the starting line-up.
Established names versus the younger generation
In the men’s event, the race for the German championship title promises to be particularly thrilling. Defending champion Normen Weber of Kanu Schwaben Augsburg triumphed in Dresden in 2025 and heads to Hanover as the favourite. However, the younger generation are keen to challenge the established names for the title. Marlon Daskiran of WPH Berlin is one of the most promising young athletes and is taking on the veterans. Ole Schwarz of WSV Blau Weiß Bonn, Manuel Lauble, competing as an individual for the German Canoe Federation, Cedric Fahlbusch from Wander-Paddler-Havel, Oscar Schönwald from KC Radolfzell, Anton Birkicht from Rundendreher and Benyam Bossack from SUP Kids Makkum complete the eight-strong men’s starting field. The short sprint distance of 160 metres promises thrilling duels, in which the start and turning technique will decide victory or defeat.
The variety of canoeing activities on Lake Maschsee
Alongside stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing will be represented by three further disciplines. In canoe racing, the focus is also on the 160-metre parallel sprint. Local hero Paulina Paszek of HKC Hannover, silver and bronze medallists at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, is keen to defend her title in front of a home crowd. At the previous Finals in Dresden, Paszek prevailed in the kayak event ahead of Pauline Jagsch from SC Berlin-Grünau. Jule Hake from KSC Lünen is returning to the kayak after maternity leave. The 26-year-old won the Finals in 2022 and 2023. In the men’s event, the top favourites are set to face off: defending champion Jacob Schopf of KC Potsdam will take on his club-mate and kayak doubles partner Max Lemke.
Paracanoe and canoe polo round off the programme
The para-canoeists are competing for German championship titles in the pursuit race. In the kayak and va’a events, the athletes will compete against each other in a parallel sprint format. Felicia Laberer of SC Berlin-Grünau narrowly beat Anja Adler of SV Halle in thrilling duels at the previous championships in 2023 and 2025. For the first time, the kayak and va’a races will be held separately. Following the 2021, 2022 and 2023 editions, speed canoe polo returns to the Finals programme. The women’s semi-finals are scheduled for Thursday, whilst the men’s polo title will be decided on Sunday. In the women’s competition, KRM Essen, WSF Liblar, 1. MKC Duisburg and PSC Coburg will be in action. KRM Essen won the title in 2023 and are hoping to repeat that success. In the men’s competition, KRM Essen, KGW Essen, KSVH Berlin and 1. MKC Duisburg will battle it out for the German championship title. KSVH Berlin travel to Hanover as the winners of the 2023 Finals.
SUP starting line-up
Women:
- Skadi Langbein – WPH Berlin
- Julia Georgi – HKC Hannover 1921
- Efe Eribo – HKC Hannover 1921
- Oda Diestel – Laubegast Dresden Canoe Club
- Frederike Ohnesorge – SUPSTART Spandau
- Laila Daskiran – WPH Berlin
- Sonja Straub – Radolfzell Canoe Club
- Vivien Franke – Wasserfreunde Spandau 04
Men:
- Ole Schwarz – WSV Blau Weiß Bonn
- Manuel Lauble – EP German Canoe Federation
- Cedric Fahlbusch – Hiking and Canoeing on the Havel
- Normen Weber – Kanu Schwaben Augsburg
- Oscar Schönwald – KC Radolfzell
- Anton Birkicht – Rotary Turner
- Benyam Bossack – SUP Kids Makkum
- Marlon Daskiran – WPH Berlin
Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf
