Semi-professional canoeist Steve Briggs was horrified to discover his £1,000 boat had been stolen when he was visiting sister Kate Pusey at Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge.
The theft meant Mr Briggs, of Derbyshire, was stranded on dry land.
But thankfully the vessel was found by Ian Stopford, of Halifax Canoe Club, hidden under some bushes on the Sowerby Bridge riverbank.
Mr Briggs said: "I was so angry and gutted when I realised it had gone.
"But imagine my surprise and delight when I got a phone call from Ian almost three weeks after my boat was stolen. 'I've found your boat,' a voice on the phone said.
"I was absolutely thrilled with the news. I can now start training again for my premier league races and when I collect the boat from the canoe club I shall be leaving a large crate of beer for Ian and the lads."
The stolen professional slalom canoe was purpose built for Mr Briggs in the Czech Republic.
After thieves had used cable cutters to remove it from a secure roof-rack Mr Briggs appealed in the Courier for its safe return.
His sister Kate said at the time: "Canoeing is his life and passion. Imagine our dismay, shame and embarrassment when we awoke to find his canoe had been stolen."
Mr Briggs started canoeing with the Cub Scouts aged seven. He has raced competitively since he was 16 and it is his 20th year in the premier division.