News

In a bold leap forward, the European Canoe Association (ECA) in partnership with MEMOSOFT and the support of the local organising committee, unveiled a series of innovative features that have redefined how the sport is experienced by fans and athletes alike.

 

One of the most remarkable advancements was the introduction of the live on-board camera feeds, marking a historic first for canoeing. A total of 10 additional on-board cameras were integrated into the broadcast, adding to an already impressive setup of 13 professional cameras. For the first time ever, viewers were able to follow multiple boats live, from unique angles right inside the action — an experience once reserved for motorsports and other high-tech disciplines.

“We wanted fans to feel like they were in the boat, part of the race, part of the drama,” said Marcos Oliveira, creative lead at MEMOSOFT. He added, “With the new Multiview service, we let viewers choose which boats to follow in real time and even listen the sound of paddling among those leading groups. Some of the images left some views with chins dropping.”

 

These innovations went far beyond camera work:

• GPS-based TV graphics aligned with the new ECA visual identity,
• Virtual course animations to enhance spectator understanding,
• Athlete-focused visuals, including headshots and data integrated directly into live broadcasts, putting a face and a story to each competitor.

 

This comprehensive upgrade was supported by Ruud Heijselaar, Chair of the ECA Canoe Marathon Committee, to enhance the ability to follow individual boats live - not only as a fan engagement tool but also as a future resource for video judging and analysis.

 

The success of these innovations signals a promising future for the discipline. “Each camera angle gave a new perspective on the effort, tactics, and rhythm of canoe marathon racing. We believe this is the direction the sport must go — more accessible, more visual, and more connected to its audience.”

 

MEMOSOFT, as the official timing and scoring provider for the ECA in both Canoe Sprint and Canoe Marathon for the next three years, continues to lead the way in transforming how the sport is presented and consumed.

 

The 2025 ECA Canoe Marathon European Championships had a total of 35 hours of broadcast live over four days, and reached 87.000 views, with a top of 2400 unique viewers watching live on Sunday afternoon from 50 countries.

 

With the bar now raised in Ponte de Lima, the canoeing world looks ahead with excitement at the next opportunity to push the boundaries even further.

 

See you in a couple of days in Račice!