George Snook, U21 Male Paddler of the Year – 2025 Paddlers Awards Winners
We welcome Kiwi paddler George Snook as the U21 Male Paddler of the Year for 2025!
It’s been one hell of a year for super-steezy paddler George Snook. Claiming the Extreme Racing World Champion title in the Open Men’s field at the Devils Race, George then lined up at the senior slalom and boater cross worlds this past September in Australia. He traveled all around this year, chasing hard whitewater across mainland Europe between World Cup slalom starts, including a solid mission in Norway, sending waterfalls and hardcore runs. What adds up for George is his all-around ability, matched with his humble, easygoing personality. Back home he didn’t slow down either, linking high-water missions with local buds, knocking out a few first Ds, including the Barlow River, and heading into the backcountry for multi-day missions with NZ legends, showing his full connection to and respect for whitewater culture, all while holding onto his simple motto: have fun on the river. With strong contenders in the mix this year, the U21 title goes to the paddler who sent hard across every front, won titles, and did it with that unmistakable smile.
Check out our interview with George in the latest Kayak Session issue!
*One must be 21 or under on January 1st, 2025, to be in the U21 category.
Jury: Clay Wright (USA), Savannah Westeinde (Canada), Dave Fusilli (USA), Lucien Schreiber (France), John Haines (Wales), Agata Sobieraj (Poland), Kalob Grady (Canada), Quim Fontané Maso (Catalonia), Philippe Doux (France), Sandra De Ugarte (Peru), Bartosz Czauderna (Poland), Ben Campbell (UK), Huw Butterworth (Wales), Anna Bruno (USA), Casey Bryant Jones (Canada), Tara Blair (USA), Beatrice Alducci (Italy), Shannon Finch (USA), Aaron Pruzan (USA), Benny Marr (Canada).
Check out the 2025 Paddlers Awards finalists here.
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