2026 Canoe Slalom World Championship and World Cup Teams Confirmed 

Fifteen Aussie paddlers have been selected following results from the 2026 Penrith Open and 2026 Australian Open, both held at the 2025 ICF Slalom World Championship venue, Penrith Whitewater Stadium.

The selection process for the canoe slalom teams was the toughest it’s been in a long time, especially in the men’s selection races. More than five athletes, including U23 paddlers, were in contention for selection until the very last race at the 2026 Australian Open. 

The ICF World Cup season gets underway at the end of May in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Three World Cup events will take place before the 2026 ICF Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma, which will be the Aussies first experience of the LA28 Olympic venue. 

The final two World Cup events will take place in September, with the final to be held in La Seu Spain from 11-13 September. 

PA National Performance Director Brendan Purcell said: “Following a huge season in 2025 with the home World Championships where we won two bronze medals, we’re looking forward to carrying that podium-winning momentum into the 2026 international season.”

“We welcome the return of three-time Olympic gold medalist Jessica Fox, who was unable to compete at the end of last year, including the home World Championships, due to surgery. She is back training and we’re excited for her much anticipated return to the rapids this international season.

“The World Championships team carries immense experience and paddlers with the taste of World Championship success including 2025 bronze medalist Kaylen Bassett (C1) and Kate Eckhardt (K1). The experience will provide great motivation for all our paddlers, including debutants Merle Long and Ada Mackie, as we compete at the LA28 Olympic venue. 

“We’re confident this team can achieve more World Championship glory and give Aussie fans something to look forward to in two years time,” said Purcell.

“The World Cup season starts with three weekends of action-packed racing which will be a great test for our athletes ahead of the World Championships. Our World Cup teams have a terrific mix of experienced paddlers and rising stars of our sport who will only improve further with increased international experience.

“Congratulations to all paddlers on their selection. We can’t wait to see our Canoe Slalom athletes go from strength to strength on the world stage this season,” he said. 

2026 Paddle Australian Canoe Slalom World Championship Team

• Jessica Fox – Women’s Canoe, Kayak and Kayak Cross
• Noemie Fox – Women’s Canoe, Kayak and Kayak Cross
• Kate Eckhardt – Women’s Canoe and Kayak
• Ada Mackie – Women’s Kayak Cross
• Kaylen Bassett – Men’s Canoe
• Tristan Carter – Men’s Canoe
• Lachlan Bassett – Men’s Canoe
• Lucien Delfour – Men’s Kayak and Kayak Cross
• Ben Pope – Men’s Kayak
• Tim Anderson – Men’s Kayak and Kayak Cross
• Merle Long – Men’s Kayak Cross

2026 Paddle Australia Canoe Slalom World Cup Teams

• Jessica Fox – Women’s Canoe, Kayak and Kayak Cross (World Cups 1-5)
• Noemie Fox – Women’s Canoe, Kayak and Kayak Cross (World Cups 1-5)
• Kate Eckhardt – Women’s Canoe and Kayak (World Cups 1-5)
• Ada Mackie – Women’s Kayak Cross (World Cups 1-5)
• Georgia O’Callaghan – Women’s Canoe (World Cups 1 & 3)
• Kaylen Bassett – Men’s Canoe (World Cups 1-5)
• Tristan Carter – Men’s Canoe (World Cups 1-5)
• Lachlan Bassett – Men’s Canoe (World Cups 2, 4 & 5)
• Dominic Curtain – Men’s Canoe (World Cups 1 & 3)
• Lucien Delfour – Men’s Kayak and Kayak Cross (World Cups 1-5)
• Ben Pope – Men’s Kayak (World Cups 1-5)
• Tim Anderson – Men’s Kayak and Kayak Cross (World Cups 2, 4 & 5)
• Sebastian Montalto – Men’s Kayak (World Cups 1 & 3)
• Mark Crosbee – Men’s Kayak Cross (World Cups 1 & 3)