On race days at international canoe slalom events, it always feels a little like stepping into an art gallery. Boats sit quietly in the eddy, each one like a painting waiting to be shown off, bright, bold, and full of meaning. Some stand out with loud splashes of color, while others have quieter designs that only reveal themselves the longer you look. But these boats aren’t just performance tools. They carry pieces of paddlers, our homes, our personalities, and our creativity, into the rapids and through the gates. Just like brushstrokes reveal something about an artist, every stripe, leaf, or pattern says something about its paddler. Canoe slalom isn’t only about speed and precision; it’s also a moving canvas for self-expression. Here are some of my favorites from this summer in Europe:
My boat exudes bold femininity. At the start line of a race, mine is one you can’t miss – bright pink and white against a river of dark structures. It’s a small way for me to embrace my female aura and add vibrance to even the most serious of race days. For me, it’s a reminder that racing can be both fierce and beautiful.
Move down the start line and you’ll find Lucy’s boat. Lucy is a 17-year-old slalom paddler from Washington, D.C. who has been on the Junior U.S. National Team for three years, competing in both Canoe and Kayak. She’s the kind of athlete who shows up to the river with glitter on her cheeks and her makeup done, not out of vanity, but because it makes her feel race-ready. Her boat reflects the same spirit: covered in cosmos flowers and sprinkled with glitter accents, it carries a piece of her joy and creativity into every run.
A few boats over, Carden’s canoe speaks to minimal expression. Carden is 16, from Bryson City, North Carolina, and has been kayaking for most of her life. On top of her racing, she pole vaults competitively for her school, runs rivers in her plastic boat for fun, and has already earned a spot on the Junior U.S. National Team in all three categories — Canoe, Kayak, and Kayak Cross. Her boat design, though, is far simpler than her busy schedule. Just a few purple and blue squiggles run across the hull, born from last-minute procrastination. It may not be flashy, but the calm, uncluttered look still feels like her. When asked why Carden picked this boat, she answers “I needed a design fast and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but I wanted something geometric, or with lines.”
Isabella is a 17-year-old girl from Bethesda, Maryland, and has been on the Junior U.S. National Team for four years, competing in Canoe, Kayak, and Kayak Cross. She trains on the Potomac River alongside Lucy, and away from the water she crochets and paints with watercolor. It’s no wonder that her boat looks like it could have been painted with the same brushstrokes: rainbow gradients that shift across the body, glitter, and squiggly lines. What began as indecision turned into a design that embraces them all, echoing the water’s twists and turns.
Waiting at the top of the start line, one of the final girls to go, is 18-year-old Mayah from New Zealand. Mayah races on her country’s Junior National Team in Kayak. When she’s not training, she’s usually running, spending time with friends, or surfing. Her boat is instantly recognizable: a black body with a large blue fern at the stern, New Zealand’s iconic emblem. Competing far from home, the fern is her way of carrying a piece of it with her. It’s a design rooted in comfort, pride, and connection to where she comes from.
Boat designs aren’t just for women — male competitors are just as passionate about boats that look unique and reflect their owner’s style. At 18, Luca is from Boulder, Colorado, and races on the U23 U.S National Team in Men’s C1. Off the river, he’s drawn to photography, fashion, and makeup which are interests that reflect his eye for detail and sharp style. His boat design shows the same precision: bold blue and orange arrows running along the hull, inspired by sports cars and color theory. The sharp lines suggest speed and intent, like every stroke is meant to land exactly where he wants it. When asked about color theory Luca says, “Blue and orange are on opposite sides of the color wheel which means they are complimentary, so they look good together.”
Then there’s my twin brother Cody’s boat. He’s 16, from Miami Beach, Florida, and joined the Junior U.S. National Team just last year. This summer, he raced in his first Junior World Championships in Foix, competing in Men’s C1. Outside paddling, he spends time in the gym, plays lacrosse, and fits in video games when he can. His boat is plain but impossible to miss: a bright red boat that radiates energy. Its simplicity reflects his straightforward, no-nonsense approach to racing and life.
Finally, there’s Max’s boat. Max is 14 and from Switzerland. When he’s not paddling, he’s outdoors skiing, biking, or spending time with friends. His boat carries a clever, almost tactical design: pink and blue stripes across the bow, chosen so the pattern remains even if the stern gets damaged. He leaves sections of carbon visible, creating a look that blends practicality with style. It’s a mix of strategy and personal flair, much like how he approaches racing itself. This is Max’s second year competing on the international race circuit, and his bold design makes it clear that he’s unafraid to stand out, both on and off the course.
Every boat reveals an athlete’s creativity and character. Even at the international level, joy, style, and individuality thrive alongside precision and discipline. Boats are fast and their designs speak to the boat owners while offering spectators a different aspect of the competitor’s character. These little pieces of self-expression are what make the sport feel human, reminding us that behind every competition lies a person with a story to tell.
About the Author
Georgia Lindemann races for the Nantahala Racing Club and lives in Miami Beach, Florida. She tries to get up to North Carolina and Tennessee to paddle as much as possible. Aside from slalom, she loves plastic boating. The Ocoee and Salmon Rivers are a couple of her favorites. Kayaking is and has been a core part of Georgia’s life since she was little.
Keep an eye out for her at U.S. Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross Team Trials in 2026!
