Canadian Freestyle Kayak/Canoe

1st Edition Valley Cup Men's Results:
Résultats Category Hommes de La Coupe de Valley 2023:
🥇Zachary Zwanenburg
🥈Marc-Antoine D'Avignon
🥉Mathis Maire
4th Luc Martin
5th Dr Marc-Antoine Dubois
6th Mathieu Caron (Best Beatdown Award)

Résultats Category Femmes/Women’s Results:
🥇Julie Dion
🥈Elodie Laniel
🥉Sylvie Lebel

Résultats Category Junior/Junior Results:
🥇Mathis Maire
🥈Justin McArthur
🥉Ben Convery
4th Benjamin Chagnon
5th Gabriel Valdiva

Many thanks to Freestyle National Team members Zachary Zwanenburg and Marc-Antoine D'Avignon for organizing this first Valley Cup! We cannot wait for next year’s event!
Follow the event page here:
La Coupe de Valley / The Valley Cup

Un grand merci aux membres de l'équipe nationale de freestyle Zachary Zwanenburg et Mark-Antoine D'Avignon pour l'organisation de cette première La Coupe de Valley ! Nous avons hâte à l'événement de l'an prochain!



- with Eau Vive Quebec Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Kayak Valleyfield

Check out this piece on surfing off of Bate Island (between Ottawa & Gatineau) featuring National Team member Jesse Stibbe and her dad, David Stibbe!

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2212082243648?fbclid=IwAR2BaVQ1eHTpOarPTFdEYNGw53PamtgHXGr-swtRWZ0Jf1PKZQywwCZYzWo

Meet the paddlers surfing The Wall: Ottawa's urban whitewater 'hidden gem' As water levels return to normal, paddlers are returning to The Wall, a rapid under the Champlain Bridge connecting Ottawa and Gatineau to warm up for the whitewater season.

Check out the update from the ICF Freestyle Committee!

All Canadian Freestyle women - check it out! We are looking to fill two empty spots in C1 and sq**rt for the upcoming Freestyle Worlds in Columbus, GA. Send in your videos! If you have any questions, DM us!

🛶: Julie Dion & Sophie Gilfillan
📷: POVMediaWorks

TO: ELIGIBLE PADDLERS
FROM: CKC FREESTYLE COMMITTEE
DATE: 23 - May - 2023
RE: CANADIAN TEAM SELECTION PROCESS FOR 2023 ICF FREESTYLE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – WOMEN’S C-1 and WOMEN’s SQ**RT
INTRODUCTION
Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) will nominate two (2) additional women’s C-1 athletes and two (2) additional women’s Sq**rt athletes to represent Canada at the 2023 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Freestyle World Championships in Columbus, Georgia, scheduled October 9th - 14th.

ASSESSMENT & SELECTION PROCESS
Selection process will be based on Video Assessment, as noted below. Video evaluation will be administered by the CKC Freestyle Committee.

SCHEDULE
1. June 30th, 2023 - Submission Deadline: Video Assessment sent to Selection Committee.

2. July 17th, 2023 - Final selection results and scores posted and additional women’s C-1 and Sq**rt team members announced.

VIDEO TESTING PROTOCOL
- Interested athletes must submit a video of themselves paddling one competition length ride.
- Videos occurring in a whitewater feature or on flat water will both be accepted.
- Competition rides are a 45 second maximum duration for C-1 and 60 seconds for sq**rt respectively, the timing begins upon initiation of the first freestyle move.
- The video must include:
> the entire paddler and entire boat at all times
> a zoom/ close up enough to accurately see rotation and strokes without cutting any part of the boat or paddler out of the frame at any time
> no editing of footage, 1 uninterrupted shot
- Videos can be sent as links (i.e. YouTube or Vimeo) or as compressed movie format files (“.MOV”, “.AVI” or “.MP4”) to :
[email protected]

ELIGIBILITY & FEES
Eligible athletes must meet the following criteria;
1. A 40-point minimum bench mark in the athlete’s video submission must be achieved
2. Canadian Citizen or hold Landed Immigrant Status, or Resident of Canada for at least three (3) years,
3. Have paid the CKC Whitewater competition license in 2023 for either slalom or freestyle. For assistance with this, please contact Scott Best ([email protected])
4. Eligible for travel to the United States of America (U.S.A.)
5. Willing and able to attend the World Championships in Columbus, Georgia, U.S.A, October 9th to 14th, 2023.
6. $30 Testing Fee (including applicable taxes) must accompany Physical and Video Submissions (one fee for testing components). Fees can be paid via e-transfer to [email protected] noting “Women’s Freestyle selection” in the e-transfer. Please use the password ‘Canada’.
7. Upon selection to the team a $200 National Team Program Fee per person is due immediately, with all remaining team fees due by July 31st. Fees can be paid via e-transfer to [email protected] noting Freestyle team in the e-transfer. Please use the password ‘Canada’.

OBJECTIVE:
To identify and select competitive women’s C-1 and Sq**rt freestyle athletes from across Canada that meet the criteria outlined above and able to attend the World Championships in Columbus, Georgia, October 9th to 14th, 2023.

EXPECTATIONS OF CANDIDATES (ATHLETES)
- Attend all training opportunities
- Positive attitude and team player
- Accountable to maintaining fitness in an independent training environment �
- Responsible and considerate toward team deadlines and requirements �

SELECTION COMMITTEE
For more information on this program and selection process please contact the members of the Selection Committee:
High Performance Manager: James Cartwright, [email protected]

Freestyle Committee Chair: Jonathan Westeinde, [email protected]

Canadian Freestyle Head Judge: Trevor L’Heureux [email protected]

- with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Whitewater Ontario Alberta Whitewater Association Eau Vive Quebec

Our entire Freestyle Team and the work we do to develop Freestyle across Canada is self-funded! Please help support the team headed to Worlds and the development of Freestyle in Canada. Donate now at the link below! Receive a tax credit for donations $20 or more.

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/b2B8v8/pay?ref=ab_2L0HOVUhNmj2L0HOVUhNmj&fbclid=PAAabBcgmyqRICSUO6Z-0Rc7EzsQ_ptH27CBZaDa7HWZubi3LHDbnspGtYIEQ

Please help us support our athletes and the development of Freestyle kayaking in Canada! Get a tax receipt for donations over $20.

Help our freestyle paddling community grow across Canada!

Funds raised as a result of this campaign will go directly towards making a significant contribution to Freestyle core costs, including development across the country, coaching, coach development and athlete support. This will enable Freestyle to establish a sustainable funding model to continue to grow our sport!

For more information on how you can make a difference and to donate to this initiative, check out the 🔗 below 👇

https://fundrazr.com/b2B8v8

//

Aidez notre communauté de canotage style libre à grandir à travers le Canada!

Les fonds recueillis à la suite de cette campagne serviront directement à apporter une contribution importante aux coûts de base du style libre, y compris le développement à travers le pays, l'entraînement, le développement des entraîneurs et le soutien aux athlètes. Cela permettra au style libre d'établir un modèle de financement durable pour continuer à développer notre sport!

Pour plus d'informations sur la façon dont vous pouvez faire une différence et faire un don à cette initiative, consultez notre 🔗 ci-dessous 👇

https://fundrazr.com/b2B8v8

Please help us develop freestyle in Canada and support our athletes!! All Canadian donations $20 or more will get a tax receipt!

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/b2B8v8/pay?ref=ab_7oyqaLyfpga7oyqaLyfpga

Our Freestyle team needs your help!

Freestyle kayaking has a strong history in Canada and we want to continue to grow and transform the sport for generations to come!

But there’s a significant cost when it comes to development including coaching, training, international competitions, and facilities to help Freestyle athletes achieve their goals.

Every donation counts, whether it’s $5, $10, or $20. All gifts over $20 do receive a tax receipt and you can give by PayPal or credit card.

To donate, please see the link below and we encourage you to share this initiative with those who you think might be interested ✌️

https://fundrazr.com/b2B8v8

//

Notre équipe style libre a besoin de votre aide !

Le kayak style libre a une longue histoire au Canada et nous voulons continuer à développer et à transformer le sport pour les générations à venir !

Mais il y a un coût important en matière de développement, y compris l'entraînement, l'entraînement, les compétitions internationales et les installations pour aider les athlètes de style libre à atteindre leurs objectifs.

Chaque don compte, qu'il s'agisse de 5 $, 10 $ ou 20 $. Tous les cadeaux de plus de 20 $ reçoivent un reçu fiscal et vous pouvez donner par PayPal ou par carte de crédit.

Pour faire un don, veuillez consulter le lien ci-dessous et nous vous encourageons à partager cette initiative avec ceux qui, selon vous, pourraient être intéressés ✌️

https://fundrazr.com/b2B8v8

Canadian Freestyle Kayak/Canoe Whitewater Ontario Alberta Whitewater Association

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Ian Thomson (without a ‘p’)
Home river & province: Mississippi River, Ontario
Home Club: Ottawa River Runners
Age group: Old 😔
Discipline at Worlds: Sq**rt
Age started kayaking: 16
Favourite freestyle trick: Mystery Move
Favourite Sq**rt Seam: toss up between Brass Monkey (next to home) and Smoothie (epic and reliable)
Favourite river snack: liver with fava beans and a nice Chianti
Pump-up song: Lazy, Deep Purple
Favourite piece of river equipment: hand paddles
Advice to those who would like to try sq**rt: go out with an experienced paddler, start in flat water then try an eddyline that isn’t above a big rapid.
Favourite places to paddle: Spring rivers in Ontario and Quebec.
River you would like to paddle: Zambezi, Slave
Where we can find you on social media: Facebook



- with Whitewater Ontario Canoe Kayak Canada Salus Marine Wear ICF Freestyle Committee Planet Canoe

Help us build Freestyle paddling - enabling us to grow across the Canada and create a better pathway for our athletes at the international level!

All donations $20 or more will receive a tax receipt.

Our amazing sport is self-funded, so the more we raise, the more we can support the development of our sport, notably through camps across the country, and our athletes.

Please donate and share this post!

https://fnd.us/b2B8v8?ref=sh_fCNC66

- with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Whitewater Ontario Eau Vive Quebec Alberta Whitewater Association

2027 Worlds will be back in Sort, Spain! And we will get to hang-out with our slalom peeps!

La Seu to make world championship history in 2023 The International Canoe Federation will make history in 2027 when La Seu and Sort in Spain hosts world championships in three different paddling categories during a combined event.The 1992 Olympic canoe slalom venue will host the 2027 ICF Canoe Slalom and Wildwater World Championships while the 2027...

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Kalob Grady
Home river & province: Ottawa River, Ontario
Age group & discipline(s) at Worlds: Senior Men's K1
Age started kayaking: 8 Years old
Favourite freestyle trick: Right Airscrew
Favourite Wave: Mini Bus. It's big, but not too big, has eddy access and most importantly, it's the perfect shape.
Pump-up song: Only I get to know 😉
Favourite piece of river equipment: My Kayak, ohhhh the Rockstar 5 is a weapon!
Advice to those who would like to try freestyle: It is a process, with a lot of highlights and setbacks. Enjoy the process and don't get discouraged or overwhelmed by others around you. It is a personal learning curve that produces personal accomplishments. Stick with it and skills will develop! At the end of the day, it's about happiness and having fun!
Favourite places to paddle: Ottawa River - There is no place like home.
River you would like to paddle: The Salween River, China
Sponsors: JoAnn Jackson, Kokatat, Werner Paddles, Send
Where we can find you on social media: on Instagram

📷 1: POVMediaWorks
📷 2: John J Webster



- with ICF Freestyle Committee Canoe Kayak Canada Whitewater Ontario Salus Marine Wear Planet Canoe

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Savannah Westeinde
Home river: Ottawa
Age group and discipline: Senior Women’s k1
Age started kayaking: 10
Favourite trick: flashback (I’m not copying but I just learned them and they are very fun)
Favourite wave: Skook (British Columbia) or Pushbutton (Ontario) or Southern Fried (Columbus, GA) or High Tension (Quebec)
Favourite river snack: chocolate
Pump up song: I’m a pump down kinda gal… Jack Johnson banana pancakes
Favourite place to paddle: wherever Syd is

📷 1&2:

Wouldn’t this be cool? A double Worlds - slalom & freestyle!!! Fingers crossed for 2027!

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Marc Richard
Home river & province: Folly River, Nova Scotia
Home Club: Sackawa Canoe Club
Discipline at Worlds: Men's Sq**rt
Age started kayaking: 25
Favourite freestyle trick: Mystery Move
Favourite Wave: Ocean waves (nothing like the feeling of being in a barrel plus all the wildlife)
Favourite river snack: Ice cream
Pump-up song: Grow up tomorrow-The Beaches, Breathing Underwater -Metric
Favourite piece of river equipment: IR Klingon sprayskirt
Favourite places to paddle: Love Triangle, Columbus Georgia
River you would like to paddle: Futaleufu River
Sponsors: Murky Water Kayak, Salus Marine Wear, Immersion Research, Jackson Kayak and Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia (CKNS)
Twitter

📷 1: POVMediaWorks
📷 2:



- with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Planet Canoe

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Katie Kowalski-Jones Katie E. Kowalski
Home river & province: Ottawa River, Ontario
Age group & discipline at Worlds: K1 SR Womens.
Age started kayaking: 13
Favourite freestyle trick: Flashback
Favourite Wave:: Garburator Wave on the Ottawa, I have so many amazing memories paddling Garb over the many years. Including fun training sessions, several team trials and Worlds in 2015.
Favourite river snack: charcuterie
Favourite piece of river equipment: My Level Six Vega short sleeve dry top. It is the perfect piece of gear for longer training sessions to stay dry and keep water out when surfing!
https://levelsix.ca/collections/womens-dry-tops/products/vega
Advice to those who would like to try freestyle: Surround yourself with good positive people and it will make your river experiences that much more amazing!
Favourite places to paddle: Ottawa River, Canada and Futaleufu, Chile
River you would like to paddle: The Zambezi is high on the list.
Sponsors: Wilderness Tours, Ottawa Kayak School & Level Six.
Where we can find you on social media:

📷 1: Casey Bryant Jones
📷 2:



-with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Salus Marine Wear Whitewater Ontario

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Zachary Zwanenburg
Home river & province: Saint Charles River, Valleyfield QC
Home Club: Kayak Valleyfield
Age group & disciplines at Worlds: OC1 and C1 Men
Age started kayaking: Too young to remember
Favourite freestyle trick: Airscrew on a wave and Loop in a hole
Favourite Wave: Big Joe in Montreal. It's just awesome!
Pump-up song: Finish the Fight by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
Favourite piece of river equipment: My Team Canada Edition Salus Marine Wear Jazz PFD ;)
Advice to those who would like to try freestyle: Take a course! The sport is fun but developing bad habits or form can lead to long term injury.
River you would like to paddle: El Rio Claro (Chile)
Sponsors: Cornwall Volkswagen, Stormont Yacht Club, Maitland Tower, Philip Ling, Kayak Ideal, Marty Cayer
Where we can find you on social media: Insta - , Facebook - Zachary Zwanenburg, YouTube - www.youtube.com/

📷 1: POVMediaWorks
📷 2: Stephany Hildebrand



- with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Whitewater Ontario Planet Canoe

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Sasha Sachs
Home river: The Ottawa
Age group: Junior Women K1
Favourite freestyle trick: roundhouse
Favourite wave: Garb because it used to scare me but then I conquered my fear and now it’s super fun and awesome
Favourite river snack: Double chocolate nature valley granola bar
Fav pump up song: Say hey -Michael Franti
Favourite piece of river equipment: emotional support water bottle (I stole my sister’s)
Rivers I want to paddle: The Futa, Zambezi
Social Media: .sachs

📷 1:
📷 2:



- with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Salus Marine Wear Whitewater Ontario

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Sammy Duff
Home river & province: Ottawa river Ontario
Age group & discipline at Worlds: K1 Men
Age started kayaking: 11
Favourite freestyle trick: carving and catching air
Favourite Wave: Mini bus because I can surf it every morning and night after work when it’s in and it is the river feature I have enjoyed so much time on.
Advice to those who would like to try freestyle: My advice is to learn and understand the foundation of kayaking before trying freestyle. The basic foundation and understanding of body mechanics, buoyancy, paddle dexterity and to value the practice of flat water strokes and drills will make kayaking in general but certainly freestyle kayaking much easier to learn. Liquid Skills on the Ottawa river is the place for that!
Favourite places to paddle: Quebec
River you would like to paddle: Zambezi
Where we can find you on social media: IG:
FB: Sammy Duff

📷 1: .is.ayden
📷 2:



- with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Salus Marine Wear Whitewater Ontario Planet Canoe

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Sydney Nixon
Home river & province: Ottawa River, ON
Age group & discipline at Worlds: Sr Women’s K1
Age started kayaking: 11/12
Favourite freestyle trick: Flashback
Favourite Wave: Nothing beats a corner wave sunset session
Favourite river snack: Sav’s Guacamole ()
Pump-up song: ABBA always
Favourite piece of river equipment: The dry bag that holds my snacks
Favourite places to paddle: Wherever my friends are
Where we can find you on social media: insta Sydney_jean23

📷 1&2:

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Justin MacArthur
Home river & province: Gatineau river, Quebec
Home Club: ORR Ottawa river runners
Age group & discipline at Worlds: K1 Jr Men
Age started kayaking: 13
Favourite freestyle trick: Sasquach - it feels like you’ll never hit the water and then you hit the water which creates a really cool feeling
Favourite Wave: Minibus - it is such a great feeling when you get to the top you feel like you’re gonna plug super hard but you just end up skipping down the face of the wave really fast - it's awesome
Favourite river snack: granola bars
Pump-up song: istanboul (not Constantinople)
Favourite piece of river equipment: Helmet
Advice to those who would like to try freestyle: Small tricks make a huge difference.
Favourite places to paddle: Ottawa River and Columbus Georgia
River you would like to paddle: Zambezi
Where we can find you on social media: Just_mac_35

📷 1: POVMediaWorks
📷 2: Andy MacArthur



- with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Salus Marine Wear Eau Vive Quebec

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Philippe Laniel
Home river & province: The Wini Wave - New Hampshire
Age group & discipline at Worlds: K1 Junior Men
Age started kayaking: 7 years old
Favourite freestyle trick: huge blunts
Favorite Wave: Garburator (Ottawa River) because it’s gnarly
Favourite river snack: goldfish
Pump-up song: Party in the USA, Miley Cyrus
Favourite piece of river equipment: my rockstar 5 because the colors are great
Advice to those who would like to try freestyle: landing a trick after trying for so long is great so keep trying
Favourite places to paddle: Ottawa River
River you would like to paddle: Zambezi
Sponsors: Outdoor New England - ONE
Where we can find you on social media:

📷 1: POVMediaWorks
📷 2: Johanne Giannuzzi



- with Canoe Kayak Canada Eau Vive Quebec ICF Freestyle Committee Salus Marine Wear

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Sophie Gilfillan

Home river & province: Ottawa River, Ontario
Age group & disciplines at Worlds: K1 Jr Women & C1 Women
Age started kayaking: 12
Favourite freestyle trick: Back Pan Am and Airscrews (I also like watching Luke do sidekicks)
Favourite Wave: Minibus because its five minutes from my house and was my first big wave. It’s also fun having all your pals light a fire on the island and toasting marshmallows between surfs.
Favourite river snack: sardines
Pump-up song: Peanut Butter Jelly by Galantis
Favourite piece of river equipment: sunscreen (sunsceen is sexy)
Advice to those who would like to try freestyle: paddle with people that make you feel good about yourself, the competitive atmostphere is fun until its not. Paddle for the spirit not the sport.
Favourite places to paddle: my favourite rivers other than the Ottawa are the Little White Salmon (the Columbia River Gorge in general), the Raven Fork, the Rio Claro, and the Futa
River you would like to paddle: I’d love to get on the Stikine one day
Where we can find you on social media: .gilfillan

📷 1: POVMediaWorks
📷 2: Elevated Media House



- with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Salus Marine Wear Whitewater Ontario Planet Canoe

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Matt Hamilton
Home river & province: Ottawa River, Ontario
Home Club: Petawawa River Rats
Age group & discipline at Worlds: Sq**rt Men
Age started kayaking: 8
Favourite freestyle trick: Loop
Favourite Wave: Crowe Bridge (Crowe River)! It is one of the best freestyle waves. Green with just enough foam. Easy access.
Favourite river snack:Trail mix
Pump-up song: Sublime’s What I got.
Favourite piece of river equipment: Werner Double Diamond
Advice to those who would like to try freestyle: It’s all about time on the water! It is the best community in the world.
Favourite places to paddle: Gauley river West Virginia
River you would like to paddle: Zambezi
Sponsors: Escala Outdoor, Werner Paddles, Pyranha Kayaks, Level Six
Where we can find you on social media:
Facebook: Matt Hamilton
Instagram:



- with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee ICF Freestyle Committee Salus Marine Wear

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Jesse Stibbe
Home river & province: Ottawa River, Ontario
Age group & discipline at Worlds: Jr Womens K1
Age started kayaking: been around whitewater and the kayaking community since a young age but really started kayaking the summer of 2021
Pump-up song: 2 much b***y by down south 😎
Favourite piece of river equipment: my trusty foot blocks to keep me snug in my boat even with short legs
River you would like to paddle: the Zambezi before it gets fully damned!
Social media: .stibbe

📷 1:
📷 2: .barretttt



- with Canoe Kayak Canada Whitewater Ontario ICF Freestyle Committee

Happy International Women’s Day to all the badass female paddlers on rivers everywhere and all women!

📷: POVMediaWorks



- with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Planet Canoe Whitewater Ontario Eau Vive Quebec Alberta Whitewater Association

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Nick Troutman
Home river & province: Ottawa River, ON
Age group & discipline at Worlds: Men's K1
Age started kayaking: 13
Favourite freestyle trick: Airscrew
Favourite Wave: Hmmm..... probably the Ruins Wave in Ottawa as it's epic for doing combination tricks.
Favourite river snack: Bar-U-Eat
Pump-up song: Lots of different ones, though I regularly little to classical music to actually 'chill out' vs pump up.
Favourite piece of river equipment: My carbon Jackson Kayak
Advice to those who would like to try freestyle: Find a friend to learn with. It's way easier to keep doing it with a partner to go with.
Favourite places to paddle: Ottawa River, Zambezi, Rio Alseseca
River you would like to paddle: All of them
Sponsors: Jackson Kayak, NRS, GoPro, GMC, Werner Paddles
Where we can find you on social media: on IG or .family.adventure for more family adventure content. Or check out our adventure YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgSopDMLlvsjdF-UokK2AqQ

📷 1:

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Joshua Mendes
Home river and province: The mighty Ottawa river and Ontario
Age group and discipline at worlds: Junior men K1 Freestyle
Age started kayaking: 9 but I really started getting into it at 12
Favourite freestyle trick: Right blunt
Favourite wave: Mini bus because when you are on top of it it feels like being on a cliff
Favourite river snack: A good ole Cliff bar
Pump up song: Istanbul by They Might Be Giants
Favourite piece of river equipment: My Rockstar V, even though I abuse it
Favourite place to paddle: The Rouge, the Moose, and the Ottawa Rivers
River you would like to paddle: The Green River Narrows
Sponsors: Werner paddles, Jackson kayaks, and Kokatat
Where we can find you on social media:

📷 1 & 2:



With Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Whitewater Ontario Salus Marine Wear

2023 Canadian Freestyle Team: An introduction to the athletes representing Canada at World’s this fall in Columbus, Georgia, USA!!

Name: Julie Dion
Home river & province: Lachine (Montréal, Québec)
Age group & disciplines at Worlds: K1 Women & Sq**rt Women
Age started kayaking: 18
Favourite freestyle trick: Air blunt on waves and Loop in holes
Favourite Wave: H67 (St Laurence River, Montreal) is my favorite wave because it's located 10 min from my house. It's a big wave and it's there all year. And, of course you can do all wave moves on it!
Favourite river snack: fruits, cheeze and nuts
Pump-up song: Sabotage, Beastie Boys
Favourite piece of river equipment: My dry deck (one piece includes: dry top, skirt and PFD)
Advice to those who would like to try freestyle: Always be safe on a river
Favourite places to paddle: Valleyfield for Manic's hole, Lachine for Big Joe et H67
River you would like to paddle: I would like to paddle in Ecuador.
Where we can find you on social media: ig: julie_kayak

📷 1:
📷 2:



-with Canoe Kayak Canada ICF Freestyle Committee Eau Vive Quebec Salus Marine Wear