Evy Leibfarth at the 2021 ICF Canoe Slalom & Wildwater Canoeing World Championships

Kayaking

The best in extreme kayaking: Top 5 kayak cross athletes

The best kayak cross athletes are continuously redefining what’s possible with this extreme slalom discipline too.

By Natalie Hamingson

4 min readPublished on 10/24/2023 · 5:03 PM UTC

How can you make an already exciting sport like whitewater kayaking even more thrilling? The answer is kayak cross, the latest innovation in extreme outdoor adventure sports. Starting from a platform high above the water, professional kayakers plunge into an intense river rapid challenge, navigating obstacles and contact from other competitors.

Kayak cross is one of the most adrenaline rush-inducing sports a whitewater athlete can experience, making kayak cross competitions exhilarating to watch. Young kayakers in particular, such as Evy Leibfarth, are paving the way forward for this extreme water sport. Read ahead for a guide to some of the top kayak cross athletes pioneering this new, incredibly challenging whitewater discipline.

Evy Leibfarth

North Carolina native Evy Leibfarth was practically born into the world of whitewater sports, with a paddling instructor mother and slalom racing father. The lightning-fast paddler, who competes in both solo canoe (C1) and solo kayak (K1) slalom, is known for her signature “hummingbird” stroke. Combine that with her precise edge control and extreme determination, and Leibfarth is a force to be reckoned with on the river.

Leibfarth began competing at age 12, earning her first U.S. National Championship C1 win in her first year on the junior circuit. Now, the heavily decorated star holds titles that include the K1 Pan American Champion and extreme slalom winner at the Junior World Championship. She’s also tackled some of the most technically challenging kayak cross courses, including the Green River Narrows Race, where she took second place. As if that wasn’t enough accomplishment at such a young age, Leibfarth is pursuing dreams of becoming a doctor when not training.

Jessica Fox

Australian athlete and four-time Olympic medalist Jessica “Jess” Fox is one of the top water sports performers in modern slalom. Like Leibfarth, Fox hails from a paddling family — both of her parents are esteemed canoeists and elite athletes. The French-born canoeist has been competing since 2008 and has been racking up championship C1, K1, and kayak cross titles ever since. With 22 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships medals, including 14 gold medals, she ranks among the most successful paddlers of all time.

One of Fox’s most exciting wins came at the 2021 World Championships. Fox initially had a less-than-stellar weekend, with losses in her C1 and K1 races. While it’s humbling to know that even the best of the best have off days, Fox made up for it on the last day. In her third kayak cross race at the event, she managed to secure yet another World Championship first-place win.

Joseph Clarke

British canoeist and one-time Olympic medalist Joe Clarke is a trailblazer in the world of kayak cross. Currently known as the most successful international kayak cross competitor, he holds triple World Championship titles in kayak cross. He’s also got five slalom World Cup wins, one of which is a kayak cross World Cup gold medal.

Clarke’s interest in paddling began at age 8, after canoeing for the first time on a trip with the Scouts. At age 11, he joined the Stafford and Stone Canoe Club, and his dedication to extreme water sports hasn’t wavered since. With an athlete training regimen that involves kettlebells, pull-ups, and tons of core work, it’s no wonder Clarke’s got the strength for so many victories.

Veronika Vojtova

Czech canoe slalom competitor Veronika Vojtova’s international career is especially impressive. Competing since 2007, Vojtova’s drive and river navigation skills have earned her several wins in the K1, kayak cross, and canoe doubles (mixed C2) categories. As someone who rejoices at being in the water but detests monotony, Vojtova has always found the excitement of slalom perfect for her athletic style.

Thanks to Vojtova’s tactical paddling techniques, she’s taken the gold in three World Cup kayak cross championships. She’s also swept up medals from the ICF World Championships and European Championships. Considering these competitions often involve tackling a kayak cross race almost immediately after a canoe slalom event, Vojtova’s whitewater endurance makes her a formidable athlete.

Mallory Franklin

British-born slalom canoeist Mallory Franklin made her debut on the international competition circuit in 2009. The one-time Olympic medalist, seven-time European champion, and winner of 16 ICF World Championship medals boasts incredible finesse in the water. Her events include K1, C1, and of course, kayak cross racing. Franklin may describe her personality as shy, but make no mistake — she’s a force once she hits the water.

The top kayak cross athletes are leading the way

The 2021 ICF Canoe Slalom & Wildwater Canoeing World Championships
© Filip Nagy / Red Bull Content Pool

Kayak cross has only existed since 2015, but it’s made quite a mark on the whitewater competitive world in that short time. The best kayak cross athletes are continuously redefining what’s possible with this extreme slalom discipline too. If you want to keep up with this mind-blowing new whitewater sport, these top kayak cross athletes are the ones to follow.