The International Canoe Federation has said it hopes to host a World Stand-Up Paddle Championship in 2018 ©ICF

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) has said it hopes to host a World Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Championship in 2018 - a move which would anger the International Surfing Association (ISA).

Both governing bodies are currently involved in a heated dispute about who should rule over the discipline.

According to the ICF, they will provisionally host their first World Championship in SUP in Esposende/Viana do Castelo in Portugal between August 30 and September 2.

The ISA already hosts its own World Championship with the most recent edition in Vorupør in Denmark in September.

SUP involves athletes standing on a board and using a paddle to move across the water, so contains elements of both canoeing and surfing.

The ISA have said they have "longstanding experience" in the sport, but claim their counterparts at the ICF have tried to get it added to the events programme at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Argentinian capital city Buenos Aires.

The ICF claim, however, that they have been involved with SUP for a "number of years".

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has been asked to mediate in the dispute.

Eight other World Championships will be hosted by the ICF in 2018.

Both governing bodies are disputing ownership of stand-up paddle ©Getty Images
Both governing bodies are disputing ownership of stand-up paddle ©Getty Images

"With ten individual disciplines under the banner of the International Canoe Federation, we are used to busy years," ICF President Jose Perurena said.

"This year the line-up looks exceptional, with events all over the world, including four former Olympic venues. 

"And the possible addition of our first ever SUP World Championships is particularly exciting for the sport."

At the ISA Championships in Denmark, the governing body's President Fernando Aguerre said: "ISA and SUP are one and we are going to be sure that it stays that way.

"The ISA is the only International Federation to organise a World Championship for SUP. 

"SUP is surfing and not canoeing."

Canoeing will host its sprint and Para-canoe World Championships in Montemor o Velho in Portugal between August 22 and 26.

The Slalom World Championships, the second of its Olympic disciplines, will be hosted at the Rio 2016 Olympic venue in Brazil, from September 25 to 30.

World Championships will also be held in Wildwater, Canoe Marathon, Canoe Polo and Dragonboat, while there will also be under-23 events for sprint and slalom.

insidethegames has contacted the ISA for a comment to the ICF World Championship announcement.