France is set to hold the first-ever Kayak Cross Summit to help shape the future of the new Olympic event.
Athletes, coaches, and event organisers from across the world are poised to gather in Epinal for kayak cross discussions from November 13 to 16.
Organised by the Swiss Canoe Federation, with support from the International Canoe Federation, the summit will provide an opportunity to discuss the past, present, and future of kayak cross, with workshops focusing on topics such as equipment, infrastructure, rules, and format.
It comes a little more than a year after kayak cross made a hugely successful debut at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Australia’s Noemie Fox and New Zealand’s Finn Butcher were crowned Olympic champions as the event generated an electric atmosphere at a packed-out Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
The Olympic debut was a landmark moment for the event, which first featured on the international circuit in 2015.
The Swiss Canoe Federation and ICF are now bringing together the Canoe Slalom community to set a course for the future.
“After the Olympics, it’s important to set a vision and clear benchmarks of where we want it to go, discussing with the community all aspects of it, such as rules, race formats, equipment, and development,” said Pierre Labarelle, Head of the Organising Committee for the Summit.
“I hope we can get out of it with a clearer view of where we all want it to go, and hopefully with some concrete propositions.
“I’m glad the ICF accepted to support the initiative because we all need to work together to become a successful sport on a wide range.
“Kayak cross is really a fun discipline, which definitely suits the younger fans and audience, but also the younger paddlers.
“It offers new dimensions to our sport with the head-to-head format, with the fight aspect, but also the tactical aspect, which is very important.
“I have the feeling it could help our sport reach wider fans and audience, if that’s what we want to achieve.”
The summit is also available online, and those interested can register by clicking here.
It will start with an overview of the past, present, and future of kayak cross, followed by a session on equipment and infrastructure.
There will also be a slot focused on the rules and format to help educate about the exciting event worldwide.
Simultaneously, a training camp will be held on the same dates.
Interested athletes can attend the summit and training camp for a fee of €50, while it is free for those attending the summit online.
Richard Fox, Chair of the ICF Canoe Slalom Committee, said: “I would like to thank Swiss Canoe for hosting this important forum.
“Bringing together athletes, coaches, and organisers will enable us to share learnings and shape the 2026 programme of work.
“This collaboration reinforces our commitment to innovation, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across all areas of the sport.”
For the provisional schedule of the camp and summit, click here.
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