2025 ECA Wildwater Canoeing European Championships

European Wildwater Canoeing Championships in Mezzana

From June 4th to 8th, 2025, the municipality of Mezzana, in the heart of Val di Sole (Province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige), became the European capital of wildwater canoeing by hosting the ECA Wildwater Canoeing European Championships. The continental event, promoted by the European Canoe Association and organized by the Italian Canoe and Kayak Federation, took place on the Noce river stadium, one of the most renowned whitewater stretches on the continent and recognized as one of the world's premier locations for rafting and canoeing.

The Noce River, the Competition Arena

The Noce River, with its twenty-eight kilometers of navigable water between the Brenta Dolomites and the glaciers of the Ortler-Cevedale group, offered athletes a technical and spectacular race course. The combination of powerful currents, drops, and technical passages made Mezzana the ideal venue for an event that blends high-level sport with alpine scenery.

Disciplines and Participants

The European Championships saw the participation of approximately 150 athletes from 16 nations, supported by a large group of coaches and staff. The program covered numerous whitewater specialties:

• Individual and team classic descent;
• Individual and team sprint descent;
• Kayak cross and Under 23 events;
• Rafting competitions (slalom, descent, and RX Knock Out) included in the event schedule.

The Italian national team featured fourteen athletes across various categories. The Saturday afternoon finals were broadcast live on Rai Sport and Rai Play, providing significant visibility to Val di Sole and the sport of whitewater canoeing.

An Event for the Region

The event was made possible by the Italian Canoe and Kayak Federation in collaboration with Canoa Rafting Pescantina Bussolengo, APT Val di Sole, and the Consorzio Mezzana Marilleva, with the support of the Autonomous Province of Trento and the Municipality of Mezzana. The European Championships confirmed Val di Sole as an international hub for river sports, capable of transforming athletic competitions into a comprehensive tourism experience for the Trentino region.