The Whitewater Line

The rulebook is changing, and if you're involved in freestyle kayaking, this is an episode you need to hear. In this episode of The Whitewater Line, we sit down with Charlie Brackpool to unpack the latest updates to the ICF Canoe Freestyle competition rules and appendix. From new scoring opportunities and recently recognised moves to competition format updates, judging considerations, trophy and s...

In this episode of The Whitewater Line, we sit down with sisters MK and Mary Claire Hargrove from team USA at the World Cup in Millau France to talk about a life built around rivers, adventure, and family. From their first days on the water to travelling the world for freestyle kayaking, the Hargrove sisters share the story of how paddling became such a huge part of their lives. We dive into balan...

In this special episode from the Freestyle Kayaking World Championships, we spotlight the Development Squad with three inspiring voices. Athletes from Uganda and Kenya share the stories behind the growing whitewater and kayak scenes in their countries — from local rivers and challenges to the passion driving progress. Development Program Coordinator Valerie Bertrand joins to explain what the Devel...

Join two of the most influential American C1 freestyle paddlers of the modern era—2023 ICF Freestyle World Champion Seth Chapelle and multiple-time world champion Jordan Poffenberger—as they dive deep into the world of high-level whitewater canoe freestyle. From epic training sessions on U.S. rivers to the daily grind of balancing family life, careers (Seth as an ER nurse!), and relentless practic...

In this episode of The Whitewater Line, we sit down with Tom Dunphy, Irish whitewater freestyle kayaker, and Matt, team manager for Team Ireland. Together, they take us through the story of freestyle kayaking in Ireland — from the early days on local rivers to international competitions and the growth of the Irish paddling scene. It’s a chat full of river stories, community vibes, and a look at ho...

Recorded live at the World Freestyle Championships, this episode of The Whitewater Line brings together legendary paddler Eric Jackson and head judge Charlie Brackpool for an unfiltered conversation on the sport’s past, present, and future. Eric shares stories from his decades at the forefront of whitewater freestyle—how his boat designs reshaped the game, and how his family became inseparable fro...

They’re the first Indian women to compete in freestyle canoe on the world stage — and they’re just getting started. From remote rivers to Germany’s whitewater, Naina Adhikari and Devi Dada are rewriting what’s possible. As part of the ICF development camp, Naina and Devi represented India at the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Plattling — a historic first. Coming from communities with l...