ITV: Nouria Newman, Female Paddler of the Year
From first descents to titles to major expeditions on some of the most demanding whitewater in the world, Nouria Newman delivered a year that once again showed why she remains one of the most complete and uncompromising paddlers in the sport, regardless of gender. As the 2025 Female Paddler of the Year, we caught up with Nouria to talk about the highlights and challenges of her year, and what’s on her radar for the season to come.
KS: Hey Nouria, congrats on being named Paddler of the Year! Well deserved as always. How was the last year for you?
« I feel like my season was a bit messier than usual, which forced me to be opportunistic and bring a lot of variety to my paddling »
NN: Last year was a bit of a weird year for me. I planned everything around a big project, but we had to postpone it in the end. That led to quite a few marginal decisions like skipping the world championships in Lipno or going on a last-minute trip to China! I feel like my season was a bit messier than usual, which forced me to be opportunistic and bring a lot of variety to my paddling: some racing, park-and-huck, expeditions, from tight technical creeking to amazing big-water to quality waterfalls… I even managed to get a few freestyle rides on Frieira wave in Portugal, as well as a full slalom race run in Bourg Saint Maurice!
KS: You seemed to have been everywhere! Was there one trip or moment that stands out?
NN: It’s always tricky to choose a specific trip or moment, and especially in 2025, since it was such an eclectic season. Traveling to Colombia with Jan Larrue was all time. We first teamed up with Mael Nguyen and Jules Dominé for a mission on the Rio Caqueta. It was really cool to unlock a new section on the Upper part. Unfortunately, we couldn’t run the bottom canyon, but that gives us a great reason to go back. Then things didn’t quite go as planned: we got flash-flooded on our Putumayo attempt, but even if hiking out is never a pleasant experience, I feel like we made the most of our suffer fest. We met Elkin and Olga, who let us stay with them and fed us while we hiked back and forth the valley to retrieve our kayaks. Making new friends and having a beautiful couple of days at the farm sure wasn’t the worst scenario. We came back to Antioquia right on time to paddle the Upper Verde before the Samana Fest started. And Jan, being as core a paddler as one can get, even decided not to race the Samana marathon but to go on a stout solo run instead down the Gracias a Dios section all the way to Puerto Garza, adding an extra 50 kilometers to the marathon, and pretty much going on an ultra solo.
KS: That sounds like a full one. And it looks like the Samana Fest will be one to watch again this year. What about closer to home?
NN: Paddling in the Alps was also a highlight. I spent a lot of time in Val Sesia, staying at Boss Kayak, paddling every day with Jacques Gilardone and Paul Aubertin. I was able to get my 7th lap down Devil’s slide, which is a beast of a rapid. We opened up some drops on the Upper Artogne. Both Fred and Jacques had dreamt about that river for years, and it was quite something to be somewhat involved in making these dreams happen. Then on the way to the King of the Alps, Ben Campbell strongly suggested that we check out the Einsack, which turned out to be one of the best big water I have done in Europe.
As I headed back home to catch as many laps as I could on my home run, I got to spend a few days on the Soana with one of the most inspiring kayaking crews there is: « the Silver Foxes », mostly Austrians, for the most part over 60 years old, and most definitely OGs who are still ripping on Class V.
And a season in the Alps wouldn’t be complete without a couple laps on the hyper classic Ayasse or some Dora laps with the most stylish Italian paddlers, Marco Guidi (or Giordi Farina, 2026 goals!).
KS: You also spent time in Madagascar, didn’t you? How was it?
« I really loved the rivers there, and constraints sometimes force you to take one step further. »
NN: Rivers in Madagascar were spectacular. It was a weird trip because our initial plan fell apart, and then the boys got really sick, which was quite frustrating. I really loved the rivers there, and constraints sometimes force you to take one step further. Going on the Namorona River solo was never the plan, but it sure was something special. I have very ambivalent feelings and contrasting experiences about soloing. That one was by far the smoothest one.
KS: And you went back to South America to close the season?
NN: For years, I’ve wanted to visit my friend Sofi Reinoso in Mexico, and we finally made it happen. Following Sofi down her home river was very special. I first met her on the Ottawa when she was a 14-year-old kid traveling and paddling alone. The following year, I coached her as she took her first steps in the slalom world. We then raced together, we coached for the ICF development program together, and paddled some creeking here and there, but we were long overdue for a proper catch-up. Running most of her home waterfalls together was the best way to catch up, especially on Todo Lower Jalacingo and running Tomata 2 together! I love how our visions align on style, technical approach, and risk management. I fully support her choice to pursue slalom the hard way, without federation or coach support, but I hope we can paddle more rivers whenever she has time!
KS: You had such a busy year! Are there any other trips or moments from the season you’d like to mention?
NN: Portugal and Galicia with Paul was really fun. When we thought we would get yelled at for car camping in random places, we got offered a warm coffee or a huge bag of oranges.
The Norway Classics are always good. Seeing the young kiwis style rapids is just eye candy. And watching the girls: Pipi, Millie, and Dayla step it up was super cool and really fun to be a part of. I am excited to see where they take their kayaking.
Getting back in the slalom boat and doing my first full run since 2017 in front of hundreds of spectators during the French Championships was terrifying. I was so stoked to get a clean run. Watching my clubmate Mimi Silvin win the U23 with an epic race made me so happy. She had a rough two years dealing with injury, and seeing all of her hard work pay off made me so happy and proud of her. This one goes to all the coaches who stopped believing in her!
Catching Ticino with proper flow and following Niels Jung down rivers he knows by heart sure was a treat (big thanks to Anika for the support, shuttle, and photos).
China and its paddling community are crazy different than anything I have experienced before, but so welcoming and so much fun. I hope I can go back and get some more paddling with Salween local Ramsey!
KS: With all those travels and missions, do you feel you took a step forward this year?
NN: Sometimes I find it hard to gauge progress, especially when you’ve paddled continuously for so many years. The fact that I also try as much as possible to go to new places makes it harder to compare. But maybe that’s a vector for progression. Wanting to do new things and challenge yourself in different ways.
KS: What was the biggest challenge you had to face this season?
NN: I had leptospirosis for the second time in the spring. Luckily, it wasn’t as bad as my first one back in 2021, but it still knocked me out good, and it took time for me to feel like I could push again.
KS: Oh, that’s a tough one… What are you most excited about for the year to come?
NN: I have a big project in the Himalayas.
KS: Thanks, Nouria! We can’t wait to see what you’ll be up to this year!
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