The Canoeing Ireland Awards 2025 brought the community together for a vibrant celebration of achievement, dedication, and progress across all corners of the sport. The evening reflected a year defined by international success, team spirit, and remarkable contributions both on and off the water.

Across the competition disciplines, Irish athletes continued to raise the bar. Stand-Up Paddle, Paddle Surf, Slalom, Sprint, Polo, Freestyle, and Marathon athletes all delivered standout moments on the European and world stages — from world-class podium finishes to historic firsts for Ireland. Among the season highlights were Eoghan Kelly’s World Championship gold in OC1 Freestyle, Sean Butterly’s Junior Marathon world title, and exceptional progress from emerging talents across so many of our disciplines.

Image: A young man receives and award from a man with black hair. Both are wearing suits

The celebration focused on shining a spotlight on the people and groups who shaped the wider paddling community in 2025. The Irish Canoe Marathon Team claimed Team of the Year after a season of sustained excellence at both European and World Championships. Robert Kierans was named Adventure Paddler of the Year for his exceptional whitewater kayaking season, inspiring others through his passion for the sport. Monasterevin Blueway Kayaking Club earned Community Impact of the Year for extraordinary outreach and inclusion work across their region, while Karen Caffrey of Salmon Leap Canoe Club was named Club Hero for her ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering young women in the sport. The Paddle Surf European Championships — hosted on the iconic Easkey reef — took home Event of the Year for elevating Ireland on the international stage. Mark Henderson was awarded the PaddleAble Community Award for championing inclusion through action and example, breaking down barriers for paddlers with disabilities and completing the 2025 Liffey Descent while continuing to support the PaddleAble programme.

Image: A woman in a red dress hands an award to a man and a woman

Declan O’Connell was honoured as Volunteer of the Year for his unwavering commitment to creating inclusive kayaking opportunities, founding a dedicated club in Munster, championing athletes with additional needs, and leading Ireland’s Special Olympics kayaking team on the world stage. The evening closed with Sean Downes receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of over 20 years of outstanding voluntary service to Irish canoeing, excelling as an internationally respected ICF Grade A referee, mentoring generations of referees, and representing Ireland with distinction at World and European championships across the globe.

Image: A man in a wheelchair receives an Award from a man in a blue blazer

These awards reflect a community defined by shared effort, support, leadership, and passion. Congratulations to every nominee, finalist, and winner who made 2025 a year to remember.

Full List of Winners

SUP Athletes of the Year

  • Senior Women’s SUP Paddler of the Year – Maree Oppeboen
  • Senior Men’s SUP Paddler of the Year – Patrick McCormack

    Ocean Racing Athletes of the Year

    • Senior Men’s Ocean Racing Paddler of the Year – Jim Morrissey

    Paddle Surf Athletes of the Year

    • Senior Women – Aisling Griffin
    • Senior Men – Michael Barry
    • Junior Men – Declan Greaves
    • Junior Women – Kyra Flannery

      Canoe Sprint Athletes of the Year

      • Senior Men – Carl Harris
      • Junior Women – Lucy Cullen & Sadb Shannon
      • Junior Men – Sean Butterly

      Canoe Slalom

      Athletes of the Year

      • Senior Women – Michaela Corcoran
      • Senior Men – Jake Cochrane
      • Junior Women – Laura Bickford
      • Junior Men – Conor Dorran

        Canoe Polo Athletes of the Year

        • Senior Women – Caitriona MacDonald
        • Senior Men – Jeff Buckley
        • Junior Women – Isabella Kinsella
        • Junior Men – Eoin Shiel

        Freestyle Athletes of the Year

        • Senior Women – Beibhin Butler
        • Senior Men – Eoghan Kelly
        • Junior Women – Mea Minchin
        • Junior Men – Jake Bermingham

        Canoe Marathon Athletes of the Year

        • Senior Women – Kate O’Halloran
        • Senior Men – Paul Donnellan
        • Junior Women – Lucy Cullen
        • Junior Men – Sean Butterly

        Community Awards

        • Team of the Year – Irish Canoe Marathon Team
        • Adventure Paddler of the Year – Rob Kierans
        • Event of the Year – Paddle Surf European Championships
        • Club Hero – Karen Caffrey
        • Community Impact Award – Monasterevin Blueway Kayaking Club
        • PaddleAble Community Award – Mark Henderson
        • Volunteer of the Year – Declan O’Connell
        • Lifetime Achievement – Sean Downes