ITV with Eric Deguil before the Devils Race
Just days before the Extreme World Championships at the Devils Race in the Czech Republic, we caught up with Eric “Rico” Deguil to hear about his preparation and ambitions for this year. At 44, the defending World Champion is back and ready to race. Despite spending two months out of the water earlier this season, he is super excited for the event.
Kayak Session: Hey Eric, we’re just one week away from the Devils Race. So, as the reigning world champion, are you fired up for this year?
Eric Deguil: Oh yes, I’m fired up! I had to stay close to home to get treatment after a right-hand infection at the end of April. That gave me a chance to refocus on what matters most. I’ve run in two months what I usually run in a whole year! I’ve improved my aerobic capacity, which at my age is exceptional. After that, I came back to kayaking with my teeth bared. And since then, I’ve been feeling great. Physically, I think I’m at the top of my game.
KS: Nice! What does this race mean to you? The World Championships change location every year, does the Devils have a special value for you?
ED: The Devils Race is rooted in the culture of European whitewater kayaking. I’d even say it’s the biggest gathering of whitewater paddlers on the whole continent. So yes, even if it’s an 18-hour drive, I’m in. And I love the Czech Republic. Kayaking there is much more important than in other countries. Plus, the event really lends itself to sharing. You camp with everyone, you cram into the train with everyone, and you paddle with everyone. It’s just brilliant! And this year the world title is on the line, so I’m not going to miss the chance to defend mine, in a spirit of joy and good humor, of course.
KS: How are you training right now, especially with the low water levels in France? Full-on mace training?
ED: Haha, the mace trainer has been part of my training for almost two years now. It’s perfect for paddlers’ shoulders! I even finished second in the 2025 World Cup. But yes, I live in the Pyrenees, in Pau, and the effects of climate change are hitting harder and harder. In just 20 years, we’ve lost nearly 30% of the annual flow of the river that runs through the city. In the mountains, everything is dry more than a month earlier than it used to be. So I train on small rapids or at the whitewater stadium in Pau. Then I focus on my physical conditioning. Despite work and family life, I train as much as I did when I was on the French canoe team. I get up every day at 5 a.m. You get nothing without hard work…
KS: Well, best of luck to you! We’ll be watching you on the livestream. Are you going for a double with the Dam-to-Dam and the Worlds?
ED: Thanks! Oh yes, I’m going for the double. I’m not going to let myself get pushed around! Rico’s still got some arm left for the young ones! The Dam-to-Dam is one of the races I really love. It’s highly strategic. It’s a hard fight. It’s long. So yes, everything I like.
Want to watch the Extreme World Championships? Finals will be broadcast live on Kayak Session (via KayakSessionTV). So make sure to tune in at noon (12:00-13:30 pm CEST) on Saturday, August 23rd, to catch all the action!
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