People trying out the kayaks at Lee Valley White Water Centre
Still making a splash – Lee Valley White Water Centre marks 15 years
Release date:
21 April 2026
London 2012’s first purpose-built Olympic venue, celebrates its 15th anniversary this week – with the announcement of a major World Cup event. Since opening its gates on 22 April 2011, this world class venue has welcomed almost five million people from first paddles to Olympic stars, thrilling international events and a host of funded community programmes, enjoyed by over 15,000 people so far.
Marking the milestone birthday of the world’s best white water centre comes just days after it was announced that the venue will host the 2027 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup, the venue’s fifth major international event and yet another opportunity to inspire a new generation of paddlers.
Lee Valley White Water Centre is the epitome of Olympic legacy, where sporting excellence and community activity continue to thrive side by side.
This community impact, central to the venue’s success story, will be showcased over the anniversary week, when 60 school children, members of the local University of the Third Age and the thriving resident paddlesport club will all take to the water as part of the celebrations.
Over the last decade and a half more than 700,000 people from across the UK have enjoyed paddlesport activities on the water – from rafting and kayaking on the Olympic rapids to paddleboarding and canoeing on the centre’s lake – it’s a venue where people of all ages and backgrounds are inspired to learn new skills, champions are made and bucket list experiences are enjoyed.
Lee Valley White Water Centre has been a catalyst for local talent, with local people who had never picked up a paddle propelled to winning medals on the international stage – some of whom are on track to fulfil their Olympic dreams. Now many of those athletes will be focused on next summer’s home World Cup, when the world’s best canoe slalom and kayak cross athletes will return to Lee Valley to create some of that Olympic gold and silver medal winning excitement the venue became renowned for.
Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of the venue’s owner, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, said:
“This sporting legacy success story today reflects the original business planning and design which have ensured that this world class Olympic venue continues to deliver for the region and the nation. The long-term sustainability of Lee Valley White Water Centre is underpinned by our community focused and commercially driven business philosophy, along with a programme of continual investment and improvement.
“The venue continues to introduce new audiences to paddlesports with over 90% of the programme dedicated to community, clubs and schools. We’re delighted to take a moment to celebrate and reflect on the success of the last 15 years of Lee Valley White Water Centre, but legacy does not stand still, and we are already looking forward to ensure it remains at the forefront of paddlesports and relevant for the next generation.”