From the echoes of ancient oars to the adrenaline-heavy currents of today’s water competitions, the story of women in paddling is as fluid as the rivers they’ve navigated. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ll look at the history of women in paddling and share snapshots of the pioneering women who made their mark in the world of water sports.
Evolution of Women’s Role in Competitive Paddle Sports
While women have likely been rowing as long as men in seafaring cultures worldwide (wooden oars date back to the early Neolithic period, around 5,000 B.C.), the story of women in competitive paddling begins much later.
Before the 20th century, competitive kayaking and rowing, like many sports, were male-dominated. Rowing dates back to 1700s England. The 1930s saw the introduction of the first kayaking competitions when the International Scale of River Difficulty was created. Kayaking joined the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936.
The middle of the 20th century saw the most shifts in the inclusivity of women in paddle sports. In 1948, women’s canoeing became a part of the Olympics in the form of the K-1 500m race. That year, Karen Hoff (Denmark) took the gold followed by Alida van der Anker-Doedens (NED) with silver and Fritzi Schwingl (AUT) with bronze.
Women’s rowing was later added to the Olympics in 1976. This included five events: single, double, and quadruple sculls – coxless pair, and eight.
Outside of the Olympics, one notable event in women’s competitive paddle sports was the advent of the Na Wahine O Ke Race. In 1954, women in the Waikiki Surf Club envisioned a women’s canoe race from Molokai to Oahu. Coaches and others doubted women would be strong enough to participate. In 1975, two teams of women made the trek. By 1979, the official Na Wahine O Ke Kai race was established, fostering a global championship that continues to grow.
Despite occasional cancellations such as extreme conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, the race has continued for 45 years, celebrating Hawaii’s cultural heritage. In 2023, race production responsibilities transitioned to the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association, further solidifying its significance.
Notable Women Paddlers
Though more great women paddlers are joining the scene every day, there are a few who paved the way that deserves mention in any conversation about the history of women in paddling.
Ada Blackjack: A young Inuit woman who famously took her place in history’s chronicles through a remarkable Arctic survival story that began with her paddling skills.
Nouria Newman: A whitewater kayaker extraordinaire. Newman was the first woman to run a 100+ foot (30 m) waterfall. She has won an array of medals and awards, from Ottawa XL to ICF Canoe Slalom.
Audrey Sutherland: An American adventure kayaker. Sutherland braved over 12,000 nautical miles in her lifetime, occasionally disguising herself as a man to avoid attention. One notable voyage was her 850-mile solo kayak trip in Alaska, which she made at 60 years old.
Georgeta Damian: A name synonymous with excellence in rowing. Romanian athlete Georgeta Damian is celebrated as one of the most decorated female rowers in history! Boasting five Olympic gold medals, her success began at the 2000 Sydney Games. There she triumphed in both the Women’s Eight and Women’s Pairs events with Doina Ignat. She has also earned three consecutive World Rowing Championships gold medals in 1997, 1998, and 1999.
Birgit Fischer-Schmidt: Fischer-Schmidt, from Germany, is revered as the most distinguished female canoeist in the history of the sport. Her unparalleled achievements include an astounding haul of 37 medals, with 27 being gold from World Championships spanning from 1979 to 2005. Fischer-Schmidt’s Olympic record is equally impressive, boasting 12 medals, 8 of which are gold, setting a benchmark that remains unmatched.
Jessica Fox: Fox is an Australian Olympic Champion canoeist. She has earned, among other awards, sixteen medals at the ICF slalom world championships. She made her international competitive debut in 2008 and some consider her the best individual paddler of all time.
Helen Glover: This legendary British rower has over 20 gold medals and was named the top female rower in the world in 2015-2016.
Elisabeta Lipă: Lipă has amassed an impressive collection of medals, including five golds, two silvers, and a bronze. Her Olympic journey commenced with a gold medal in the women’s double sculls at the 1984 Summer Olympics, alongside Marioara Popescu. Remarkably, Lipă’s Olympic gold medal wins span a record-setting 20 years, culminating in another gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Kathrin Boron: Despite facing significant injuries early in her career, Boron demonstrated an unyielding spirit in the rowing world. Securing most of her Olympic gold medals throughout the 1990s. Her illustrious rowing career, highlighted by her first gold medal win at the 1989 World Rowing Championships in Slovenia, boasts a remarkable tally of 18 medals. Ten of these accolades were achieved between 1990 and 1999.
Looking Ahead: Future Opportunities for Women in Paddling
With women increasingly at the forefront of competitive paddling, the future navigates toward a more inclusive landscape.
Future opportunities beckon a generation of young athletes whose horizons will be shaped by the stories of today’s young trailblazing paddlers like Ana Satila of Brazil and Chu-Han Chang of China.
The historic tapestry of women in paddling is one to be unwound and celebrated. It is a story of courage, passion, and the relentless pursuit of equality. The champions and unsung heroes in paddling offer us lessons not just in sports but in humanity. They remind us that it takes determination and unity to compete and excel at what we love.
