Kayak Cross

Extreme Canoe Slalom

A fast paced race between four athletes on whitewater that tests their power, skill, and tactics as they tackle up and downstream gates whilst also completing an kayak roll.

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What is Kayak Cross?

Kayak cross first appeared on the ICF’s World Cup program in 2015, and since then the growth has been phenomenal.

Athlete numbers have been increasing every season, more and more tv networks are showing the races live, and there’s plenty of enthusiasm for the sport to one day be part of the Olympic program.

Kayak cross is a combination of all canoeing’s white water disciplines, with competitors racing in identical plastic creek boats.

The excitement begins from the very start, with four competitors sliding off a ramp more than two metres above the water and splashing onto the course as one.

From there it’s a race to the first buoy, and it really is a case of anything goes as each paddler tries to steal an advantage over their opponents.

Athletes need to negotiate both downstream and upstream buoys, and contact is allowed – adding to the thrills and spills and excitement for spectators and athletes alike.

Then there’s the compulsory kayak roll. Athletes only have a short window of opportunity to successfully roll their kayaks, and they need to do a complete 360 degree flip.

There are a variety of ways to get disqualified – breaking the start, missing a buoy, dangerous paddling, and failing to complete the kayak roll within the allocated area.

Most races are over in around a minute, but times are not important. Kayak cross is very much a race of tactics, and often it does not pay to lead early. Athletes also have choices to make, including which side of the course they should take.

The current men’s world champion is Germany's Stefan Hengst, while Czech Veronika Vojtova won the women's crown in front of her home crowd in Prague.

One of the major attractions of kayak cross is the diversity of countries taking part. Athletes from regions where canoe slalom is still in its infancy are embracing extreme events, and the results have been very exciting.

General information

2021 Competitions information