Lana-Sydney Ferreira Fernandes has a special connection to the Harbour City that goes far beyond her hyphenated name. 

Lana-Sydney was named after the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where her mother Florence Ferreira Fernandes competed for Portugal, while her father was the coach. 

When she discovered that the ICF Slalom World Championships were going to be held in Penrith, she knew that she had to get involved.

“I got a call from my mother telling me this World Championships was happening,” Lana-Sydney said.

“She competed here in 2000, she was like you might apply for volunteering. My mother was an Olympic athlete, she competed for Portugal, my father was her coach. It is really symbolic to be here 25 years later, it is a big opportunity for me to be here in this place."

Lana-Sydney had recently moved to Australia from France to continue her Social Science studies and had been enjoying her time abroad, and when the opportunity came to reconnect with the sport and lend a hand, it was a sense of destiny. 

“I’m young, I love getting in touch with kayak and canoe competitions in France,” she said. “I decided to join here, it is amazing, the people are so welcoming, the weather is great and helping people enjoy it has been great. 

“I’m meeting so many people as a volunteer, having great discussions with all the volunteers and meeting people from so many different places.”

Lana-Sydney enjoyed her time helping supporters, welcoming them and assisting them find their way during the World Championships, but it was much more than that for the French native - it was a chance for a spiritual journey 25 years in the making. 

“My parents decided to name me after the Olympics,” she said. “It was amazing to be involved here. When my parents told me about their Olympic story, they told me about this suburb of Sydney, so it was a way for me to discover where they were, where they competed. 

“It was really symbolic and an emotional experience to see the exact same place that my parents were 25 years ago and see the athletes have a similar experience with the World Championships.”

25 years after her mother competed, the connection to the city and the sport is still as strong as ever. 

“It was like being with my mother in this place. She wanted me to enjoy the moment and feel like the family history was with me. When I saw the Sydney 2000 podium and I sent a picture to my mother, my parents have the same photo from 25 years ago. That is really special, to share that bond,” she said. 

Paddle Australia’s Sport Development Coordinator, Naazmi Johnston, said Lana-Sydney’s story captures the true spirit of connection that volunteering brings to sport.

“The ICF Slalom World Championships not only showcased world-class paddling but also the incredible contribution of volunteers who bring our sport to life,” Johnston said. “Aligned with the Play Well vision that everyone has a place in sport, the volunteer program, led by Emily Scott, created opportunities for people to connect, contribute, and grow. Volunteering offers a powerful way to belong and be part of something bigger and stories like Lana-Sydney’s remind us how these moments can create lifelong memories.”

Volunteers are the heart of paddling, supporting everything from grassroots participation to international competitions. Whether you’re looking to give back to the sport, gain new skills, or be part of an amazing community, Paddle Australia has opportunities that cater to various interests, availability, and experience. There’s a place in our paddling community for everyone!

Find out more about volunteering with Paddle Australia here: https://paddle.org.au/participation/volunteering/

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