One of the highlights of the 2025 International Canoe Federation Slalom World Championships in Sydney was the ICF Development Camp conducted by Paddle Australia with the support of Waveski Adventurers.
The delivery of 16 kayak cross boats enabled the development paddlers to make their dreams come true at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium when the ICF flagship event took place from September 29 to October 4.
This was made possible thanks to a collaboration between the ICF, Paddle Australia and French boat manufacturer RTM Kayaks.
The boats were used by participants in the ICF’s development camp that saw paddlers from Kenya, Latvia, North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa and Turkiye get the chance to shine on the global stage.
South Africa’s Waris Mills, making her debut at the World Championships, seized her opportunity as she sealed her place in the opening round of the kayak cross after making the top 42 in the time-trials.
It was an unforgettable experience for Mills as she went on to compete against Olympic kayak cross champion Noemie Fox of Australia in the first round as well as Ukraine’s Viktoriia Us and Slovakia’s Sona Stanovska.
Mills credited the new kayak cross boats for playing a major part in her success at the World Championships.
“I can’t believe it, it was my first kayak cross head-to-head and I got the chance to race against the best in the world,” said Mills.
“I’m so happy.
“I just had to give it my best shot and have fun out there.
“For me to be there on the start ramp is such a privilege.
“To have the right boat, especially for kayak cross, is a really big thing.
“If the boat fits and I’m feeling comfortable, I’m happy on the water and I know I’m going to compete very well.
“It was definitely a huge help towards my kayak cross race.”
France’s Killian Foulon, who was leading the development camp in Sydney, praised the ICF, Paddle Australia and RTM for securing the boats.
“As kayak cross is relatively new, athletes in our development camp don’t have these boats available in their countries,” said Foulon.
“Being able to train and compete here in these boats is amazing for them.”
Richard Fox, Chair of the ICF Canoe Slalom Committee and Chair of the Host Organising Committee, said the arrival of the 16 RTM Kayaks boats was a major boost for the region.
“We are delighted by the work of the ICF, Paddle Australia, RTM Kayaks and Waveski Adventurers who came together to make this camp possible,” said Fox.
“We need high-level equipment in locations like Penrith that we can make available for different groups.
“The kayak cross boats can be used to help us not only develop locally but across Oceania and Asia.
“If people come over from another city, we can introduce them to kayak cross and use the boats in a learning environment.
“We can also make them available when people come to Penrith from overseas in the summer months.
“Having hubs like Penrith, where paddlers from across the world can access the very best equipment, is very important as we strive to develop the sport globally.”
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