Following the withdrawal of Jessica Fox from the 2025 ICF Slalom World Championships, due to recent surgery, Paddle Australia is pleased to announce the athletes stepping in to represent the green and gold on home water at Penrith Whitewater Stadium from 29 September to 4 October 2025. 

With just under two weeks to go until the World Championships arrive down under, two new faces will join the Aussie outfit, including Sarah Crosbee in Women’s K1 and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship athlete Codie Davidson (pictured) in Women’s Kayak Cross.  Previously named in the team, Georgie O’Callaghan will now add the Women’s C1 to her schedule that already included Women’s Kayak Cross. 

With Fox due to compete in all three disciplines, her withdrawal presented a rare opportunity for the next generation of paddlers to compete in an international event on home soil. 

For 19 year old Sarah Crosbee, she has made her mark in both K1 and C1 events at Junior and U23 levels and will now make her Senior World Championship debut on home soil. 

Penrith fans will have even more to cheer about when local rising star Codie Davidson gets her opportunity to debut in the Australian Senior team in the women’s kayak cross.  At 18 years old, Davidson has won two bronze medals at the Junior & U23 World Championships in the kayak cross and is a star on the rise. 

Australian Slalom Head Coach Julien Billaut said: “While we will deeply miss having Jessica as part of the team, we are excited for the opportunities it presents our next generation of talent in Georgie, Sarah and Codie. 

“These young women have shown not just talent, but resilience and readiness. Georgie is already familiar with senior international competition and the pressure that comes with it. 

“Sarah’s technical ability in K1 and her mindset make her a strong contender. Codie’s performance in Kayak Cross shows she can thrive under aggressive, fast-paced racing. 

“Having the World Championships at our home venue in Penrith is a big opportunity for our athletes, the sport, and for fans. We want a full stadium, loud support, because that home crowd energy makes a difference,” he said. 

The 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships will be held at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, the legacy venue from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, from 29 September to 4 October.

This is a rare chance for Australians to experience world-class slalom paddling live, see Olympians and rising stars compete, and support our team. 

Tickets are on sale now via Sydney2025.com, and starting from $15 and medals on offer daily, there will be something for the whole family to enjoy. 

Paddle Australia

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