The Whitewater Line

Development Squad Podcast, Kenya and Uganda

In this special episode from the Freestyle Kayaking World Championships, we spotlight the Development Squad with three inspiring voices. Athletes from Uganda and Kenya share the stories behind the growing whitewater and kayak scenes in their countries — from local rivers and challenges to the passion driving progress. Development Program Coordinator Valerie Bertrand joins to explain what the Development Squad is all about, its goals, and how it supports emerging talent on the global stage. A must-listen for anyone interested in the future of freestyle kayaking and the sport’s worldwide growth.

C1 Legends Unleashed: Seth Chapelle's Emotional World Title Breakthrough & Jordan Poffenberger's Multi-Time Championship Legacy in Freestyle Canoeing

Join two of the most influential American C1 freestyle paddlers of the modern era—2023 ICF Freestyle World Champion Seth Chapelle and multiple-time world champion Jordan Poffenberger—as they dive deep into the world of high-level whitewater canoe freestyle. From epic training sessions on U.S. rivers to the daily grind of balancing family life, careers (Seth as an ER nurse!), and relentless practice, these legends share what it really takes to compete at the highest level.   Seth opens up about finally shattering his long-standing “world championships curse” at the 2023 ICF Freestyle Worlds in Columbus, Georgia—his ninth time on the global stage—snatching gold with an unforgettable final ride (858.33 points) in front of a roaring crowd of friends and family. He recounts the surreal emotion of achieving a dream he’s chased since he was a kid, the pressure of past near-misses (silver in 2015, multiple fourths), and the pure joy of going all-in when he had “nothing to lose.”   Jordan brings his veteran perspective with multiple world titles (including his second in 2019) and decades of dominance alongside icons like Dane Jackson, breaking down the evolution of C1 moves, surface tricks, and what keeps him hungry after years at the top. Together they talk paddling adventures, off-season hobbies, raising kids around the sport, and the future of freestyle canoeing.   Packed with raw stories and whitewater wisdom, this episode is essential listening for any paddler chasing big goals—or anyone who loves tales of perseverance, family support, and crushing it on the river. Whether you’re into C1, OC1, or just love extreme sports, these two USA powerhouses deliver the real talk.

Ireland's Freestyle Flow: With Tom Dunphy & Team Ireland

In this episode of The Whitewater Line, we sit down with Tom Dunphy, Irish whitewater freestyle kayaker, and Matt, team manager for Team Ireland. Together, they take us through the story of freestyle kayaking in Ireland — from the early days on local rivers to international competitions and the growth of the Irish paddling scene. It’s a chat full of river stories, community vibes, and a look at how far the sport has come (and where it’s heading next). Whether you’ve been in a boat for years or just love a good adventure story, this one’s all about passion, progress, and paddling in Ireland. Recorded live from the World Championships

Legends & Judges: Eric Jackson and Charlie Brackpool at the World Freestyle Championships

Recorded live at the World Freestyle Championships, this episode of The Whitewater Line brings together legendary paddler Eric Jackson and head judge Charlie Brackpool for an unfiltered conversation on the sport’s past, present, and future. Eric shares stories from his decades at the forefront of whitewater freestyle—how his boat designs reshaped the game, and how his family became inseparable from the sport. Charlie breaks down the judging side: from how judges are trained and graded, to scoring systems, bonus rules, and the role of technology in modern competition. Together, they pull back the curtain on team culture, behind-the-scenes stories, and where freestyle is headed next. With support from Mason Hargrove, this is a rare chance to hear two of freestyle’s most influential voices trade insights at the very heart of the action.

India’s Trailblazers: First Women at Freestyle Worlds

They’re the first Indian women to compete in freestyle canoe on the world stage — and they’re just getting started. From remote rivers to Germany’s whitewater, Naina Adhikari and Devi Dada are rewriting what’s possible. As part of the ICF development camp, Naina and Devi represented India at the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Plattling — a historic first. Coming from communities with little exposure to paddle sports, they’ve overcome logistical, cultural, and financial barriers to rise to the international level. Their journey is one of passion and perseverance, but also purpose: Naina is now leading “Ganga Girls,” a grassroots initiative teaching kayaking to underprivileged girls in India — using the river as a tool for empowerment and change. This episode is about more than medals. It’s about breaking stereotypes, inspiring a generation, and creating new currents of opportunity.   -Update, Devi Dada has a new freestyle kayak from Spade Kayaks in India. What an amazing result and we also thank Denk Outdoor for supplying fantastic gear for the development camp.