Canoe Freestyle is set to make a big impact in schools across Columbus, Georgia in the United States after being added to the curriculum.  

Pupils in 12 schools will get the chance to learn about Canoe Freestyle from top athletes and coaches and compete against each other when the scheme gets underway in September this year.  

Whitewater Express, with the support of the International Canoe Federation, is putting Canoe Freestyle into the education system, laying a path for the next generation of freestyle paddlers to emerge in the US.  

The scheme is a legacy of the 2023 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships when it was held in Columbus.  

“During the World Championships, we had school principals coming up to us saying ‘This is really cool, how can we get involved in it?’,” said Dan Gilbert, President of Whitewater Express.  

“There was an awareness of freestyle in the area due to the World Championships, so we talked about trying to provide opportunities for school students.  

 “The path forward is to get young people involved as they are the future of the sport.”  

Columbus is establishing a hub for Canoe Freestyle after the ICF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Uptown Columbus and the American Canoe Association.  

The agreement was made in May 2024 to solidify Columbus’ status as a centre of excellence for Canoe Freestyle nationally, regionally and internationally.  

Gilbert said the schools’ programme has been made possible thanks to the support of Columbus Mayor Skipp Hendersen and Phenix City Mayor Eddie Lowe.  

Among the schools that have agreed to introduce Canoe Freestyle in their curriculum for the upcoming semester are Columbus Public Schools, Phenix City Public Schools and Russell Council Public Schools.  

Brookstone School and Pachelli Catholic School are two local private schools that have also agreed to allow classes in the discipline in September.  

“We've set up a foundation of support for this centre of excellence and creating a system to teach young people,” said Gilbert.  

“What we've told the schools is that we will send a vehicle to their school two times a week.  

“After school, we will pick them up, take them to the river which is close by and teach them.  

“After the teaching sessions, we’ll take them back to school where their parents can meet them.  

“So the transport, the equipment and the instructions are all free.  

“We want this to have a long-lasting effect so the kids can have as many sessions as they want and build on each semester.  

“At the end of every semester, there will also be a competition between the schools, and the goal is to let the students run it.” 

Students participating in the Canoe Freestyle programme are also set to learn from the biggest names in the sport.  

Multiple world champions Dane Jackson and Emily Jackson are among the US freestyle stars that are poised to teach the children.  

“We have plenty of world-class athletes here as we have great relationships with them,” added Gilbert.  

“We often have the likes of Dane and Emily Jackson down here, plus Stephen Wright and Mason Hargrove.  

“Their eyes just light up when they guys walk in and talk to them.”  

Terry Best, Chair of the ICF Canoe Freestyle Committee, believes the school programme could be “transformational” for the sport.  

“Kayaking will be on the school curriculum so for Canoe Freestyle and whitewater kayaking in general it has got huge potential,” said Best.  

“It is starting off in Columbus but there is no reason why it couldn’t go statewide and beyond.  

“This is a great introduction to the sport for young people and Columbus is the perfect place to do it.  

“There is a river that runs right through the centre and the schools are encouraging participation in the sport.  

“We will have to watch this space to see how well it goes but my feeling is that it could be transformational over the course of 10 years or so.”

• Columbus, Georgia to establish Canoe Freestyle hub after signing MoU with ICF
• Survey results revealed for ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Columbus
• Dane Jackson competing with broken leg at World Championships in Plattling