Freestyle Festival in Eildon, Australia
The year began with a bang in Australia, with the 2026 Paddle Australia Freestyle Championships 2026 kicking things off in Eildon this January and bringing together both new and seasoned paddlers.
The freestyle festival, held alongside the national championship, encouraged new and developing paddlers to learn more about canoe freestyle in an overwhelmingly positive, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere. There was a strong sense of community during the weekend, with experienced athletes freely encouraging newcomers, sharing advice, and celebrating each other’s successes on and off the water. The festival encouraged participation from other paddle disciplines, too, giving athletes a chance to expand their skills and enjoy the unique challenges of freestyle.
Hosting the festival on a natural river was especially valuable, as the range of features allowed for safe progression and effective skill development. The weekend also provided standout performances, including a noticeable increase in women competing, reflecting the growing inclusivity of the freestyle community.
The junior men’s division was another highlight, with accomplished slalom paddlers successfully crossing over to freestyle and earning medals, demonstrating the strong transferability of skills between paddle disciplines.
Paddle Australia continued to build on this momentum with another coaching and education weekend in Eildon in late February, aiming to attract more paddlers and continue fostering the recreational and freestyle whitewater community.
Words: Paddle Australia, Kayak Session | Photographer: Graham Fraser
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