The 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Freestyle World Championships might have been forced to finish early due to low water levels. But that was unable to overshadow a thrilling season as we pick out some of the most memorable moments from this year.  

All-British battle to savour 

Before the World Championships was brought to a premature end, Plattling staged a gripping squirt contest. The men’s final will live long in the memory as British duo Sam Wilson and Alex Edwards put on a masterclass of squirt paddling. It was a captivating battle as Wilson and Edwards traded one sublime run after another. Edwards held the upperhand in the hope of winning his first world title only for Wilson to pull off his best performance when it mattered most. Wilson put together a wonderful routine before submerging for a 19-second mystery move that saw him register a record-breaking score of 3,246.67 points. 

Robinson-Shaw sweeps to hat-trick 

While Wilson and Edwards locked horns in a thrilling duel, fellow British paddler Ottilie Robinson-Shaw demonstrated her dominance. Robinson-Shaw saw off compatriot Tamsyn McConchie and defending champion Rose Wall of the United States to win the women’s squirt title. It was the first of her three gold medals sealed as she retained the women’s canoe crown before coming out on top in the women’s kayak. Her hat-trick in Plattling means she now stands on nine world titles, including seven in seniors and two in juniors, and it is hard not to see her adding to that tally in the future. 

Jackson competes with broken leg 

One of the other big storylines from the World Championships was the appearance of Dane Jackson of the United States. Just five weeks before competition got underway in Plattling, Jackson sustained the biggest injury of his career. The 32-year-old broke two bones in his right leg and damaged his knee ligaments and calf muscle. But this did not stop him from competing at the World Championships. Jackson was hobbling on his crutches when he was off the water but once in his kayak the multiple world champion was still able to put together a string of tricks to the delight of his fans. 

Plattling shows strength of freestyle community 

Another enduring memory of the World Championships in Plattling was the packed stand for the medal ceremonies. Low water levels might have caused no action to take place for the final two days of competition, but the freestyle fans still stuck it out until the end to see paddlers celebrate their medals. There were joyous scenes as Robinson-Shaw received her hat-trick of titles, while golds were also hung around the necks of Wilson and fellow countryman Matthew Stephenson, Ireland’s Eoghan Kelly and France’s Tom Dolle. Despite the lack of action on the water, the support from spectators underlined the strength of the freestyle community.  

Columbus paves way for growth of discipline 

There was a big buzz in Columbus in July when the city in the stage of Georgia was unveiled as the ICF’s inaugural Centre of Excellence designation for Caneo Freestyle. Committing itself to becoming the “Freestyle Kayaking Capital of the United States”, Columbus will stage the 2028 World Cup and 2029 World Championships. It offers a launchpad for the next generation of world-class kayakers, provides a blueprint for other Centres of Excellence around the world and helps to shape the future of Canoe Freestyle on a global scale.