Paddle UK vice president Greg Smale has been appointed to the European Canoe Association’s Board of Directors.
He was elected by delegates at the 17th Ordinary Congress of the ECA, in Budapest.
Moira Aston was also elected as the new vice president. She is the first woman to hold the position.
The four other new board members are Stien Verlinden, Vitor Felix, Peter Karai, and Christian Jacobsen.
Delegates also supported changing from the European Canoe Association to Paddle Europe, following the ICF’s decision to become Paddle Worldwide.
Greg Smale has been involved in canoeing for about 46 years.
He began at 14 with St. Alban’s Canoe Club in Hertfordshire, England, focusing on Canoe Slalom and Polo.
He represented Great Britain as a player for 10 years, winning a silver and bronze at the European and World Championships.
He also coached the British Women and Men’s teams to eight consecutive European and World Canoe Polo Championship Finals.
Over the years, Greg has also excelled as a national and international Canoe Polo referee.
Greg served on the Board of British Canoeing for 16 years until 2022.
ECA welcomes new Vice-President and five Board of Directors members >>