Kayaking
Understanding kayak cross: What it is and how it works
Learn what kayak cross is, where kayak cross competitions are happening, and how to learn this extreme activity yourself.
Participating in a kayaking competition offers a special kind of thrill, but it takes a lot of hard work to get there. For Evy Leibfarth, the challenge is welcome.
“I’m a very competitive person,” Leibfarth says. “ I love the adrenaline in the start gate, and I love pushing myself to be my best.”
Evy Leibfarth at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC
© Robert Snow / Red Bull Content Pool
The world of competitive kayaking has gotten more electrifying in recent years with the introduction of kayak cross. This new discipline will get your heart racing even if you’re just watching on the sidelines. For kayak cross athletes as well, this whitewater event offers an unparalleled rush. As kayak cross racing gains attention in international competitions, this is the sport to watch. Read ahead to learn what kayak cross is, where kayak cross competitions are happening, and how to learn this extreme activity yourself.
01
What is kayak cross?
Kayak cross, also known as extreme kayak, is a version of kayak slalom that originated in 2015. As with traditional kayak and canoe slalom, paddlers maneuver through an aquatic obstacle course of strategically placed up and downstream gates. While the original form is adrenaline-boosting on its own, kayak cross raises the stakes even higher — over two meters off the ground, to be exact. In a kayak cross race, four competitors are launched off a ramp into the water below.
Kayak cross is a contact-permitted sport, so as paddlers race against the clock, they can use their paddles to thwart the competition. If that wasn’t enough action, kayakers must complete an eskimo roll before crossing the finish line. This roll encompasses flipping a full 360 degrees into the water with the kayak, then landing back fully upright. By the time it’s all over, often, not even a full minute has passed.
Evy Leibfarth at ICF Canoe Slalom & Wildwater Canoeing World Championships
© Filip Nagy / Red Bull Content Pool
This sequence of events happens over and over, with winners advancing to the next round until the final competitors battle it out for the championship. It’s a combination of basically all whitewater sports, and, as you can probably tell, it’s not for anyone afraid of a challenge.
02
Kayak cross rules and regulations
Kayak cross competitors must follow a strict set of safety rules if they want to avoid disqualification. Kayak cross rules include:
- Both hands must be on the paddle at all times.
- Competitors may make contact with another kayaker’s boat to push them offline, but they cannot ram into other racer’s bodies.
- Using a paddle to prevent a competitor from moving forward is prohibited.
- Paddles may not have sharp edges and all equipment, including life jackets and helmets, must be compliant with canoe slalom rules.
- Breaking the start is grounds for disqualification.
- Missing a buoy on the course or passing a buoy on the wrong side may also result in disqualification.
- Completing the eskimo roll within the designated boundaries is required of all competitors.
03
Essential kayak cross equipment
Evy Leibfarth at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC
© Robert Snow / Red Bull Content Pool
Kayak cross competitors are required to use lightweight plastic creek boats and double-blade paddles. There are several kayak makers with approved models for kayak slalom to choose from, including Pyranha, Dagger, and Liquid Logic. Kayakers must also wear life jackets and helmets, which can be found from brands like Gath and Prijon.
There’s additional gear that helps kayak cross performance too, such as wrist guards, spray skirts, and protective gloves known as pogies. If you’re shopping for kayak cross equipment for the first time, your local kayak shop can usually help you find the right slalom gear.
04
Kayak cross: how to get started
Does all of the above sound like a thrill you absolutely need to experience? If so, here are some tips for beginners who want to explore the world of whitewater kayak cross.
Take a slalom class:
If kayak cross has piqued your interest, it’s a good idea to start with the basics of kayak slalom. You can learn how to navigate slalom streams via kayak slalom clinics, and mastering this skill is important before taking a full-on kayak cross course. You’ll get plenty of practice steering around buoy gates, and even if competitions aren’t your thing, clinics will improve your overall whitewater paddling. You should be able to handle Class II whitewater rapids before signing up for a kayak slalom clinic.
Mastering the eskimo roll:
The eskimo roll might be the most intimidating aspect of a kayak cross event, but it’s still a fundamental skill all kayakers should know. Unintended flipping is fairly common with whitewater kayaking, so mastering eskimo rolls is key to basic safety. An eskimo roll follows these steps once your kayak has flipped upside down:
- When you’re in the water, position your body against the front deck of the kayak to avoid any hazards. You should place your paddle parallel to your kayak, and you should lift your hands out of the water.
- Once your paddle is as high as you can get it, rotate it so it’s perpendicular to your kayak. The goal is to get the outer blade of your paddle to the water’s surface. You should extend your bottom arm as far as possible, and you should lean your head against the shoulder of your outer arm.
- With your paddle in the above support position and your head down, snap your hips to initiate the roll. Your hips will do most of the driving, though you should also apply pressure to your paddle.
- To land upright, keep your gaze in the direction of the water’s surface and your paddle blade. This should complete your roll.
05
Kayak cross tips for success
Practicing on the water is important for perfecting your kayak cross technique, but so is training on land to keep yourself in shape. Your core plays a huge role in kayaking, especially paddling, so improving your ab strength should be part of your kayak cross training. Exercises such as side crunches and leg lifts can make a big difference.
Aside from staying in top physical shape, mental focus, especially when it comes to decision-making, is key. It can be challenging to stay relaxed with everything happening so fast in a race, but remaining calm will help you get through. If you’re always looking one step ahead, you’re more likely to be ready for each twist and turn.
06
Notable kayak cross competitions
The 2021 ICF Canoe Slalom & Wildwater Canoeing World Championships
© Filip Nagy / Red Bull Content Pool
In kayak cross’s brief history, it’s quickly risen to being featured in some of the most prestigious athletic events on the world stage. The American Canoe Association hosts trials for the junior and senior USA Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross National Teams. Winners get the chance to represent their country in international kayak cross events throughout the year.
The International Canoe Federation also hosts many of the most prominent kayak cross championships. Ranking events culminate in the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cups and World Championships featuring both canoe slalom and kayak cross races. All these events offer exciting opportunities to watch athletes such as Evy Leibfarth contend for the top spot.
Take whitewater paddling to the extreme with kayak cross
If typical whitewater kayaking sounds exciting to you, then you might just love kayak cross. This newer discipline pushes the sport beyond the bounds of what’s long been possible. Extreme kayaking offers athletes the opportunity to push their own limits while making spectators’ jaws drop with each paddle. As kayak cross continues to grow, you’ll want to keep an eye out for what’s next for this exciting new sport.