February 13–15, Penrith Whitewater Stadium
The 2026 Penrith Open once again delivered world‑class racing, attracting a deep field of international competitors alongside Australia’s top paddlers. Despite the fierce competition and challenging conditions, our WA athletes produced outstanding performances across Slalom and Kayak Cross, showcasing skill, resilience, and exciting potential for the season ahead.
C1 Results: Strong Progress and Breakthrough Performances
Izzy – Women’s U18
Izzy delivered an impressive showing in the C1, claiming 3rd in the Women’s U18 category and securing the title of 2nd‑placed Australian U18. Her precision and composure against international talent highlights her growing status as one of the country’s emerging young paddlers.
Hunter – Men’s U23
Hunter narrowly missed a spot in the A Final, finishing 13th in the heats after another athlete’s penalty was overturned, an agonising margin with only the top 12 (across all ages) progressing. Despite the setback, he was still ranked 6th Australian U23, demonstrating strong form in a highly competitive field.
Rhys & Kai – Men’s U18
Both Rhys and Kai put down determined runs in a discipline they do not regularly train in, making their results even more commendable.
- Kai: 8th Australian U18
- Rhys: 11th Australian U18
Their willingness to step up in the C1 boat shows both their adaptability and future promise.
K1 Results: Podiums and Top‑Ten National Placings
Izzy – Women’s U18
Izzy continued her standout weekend in K1, taking 2nd in the Women’s U18 division and finishing as the top Australian U18. This marks another strong national result as she continues building momentum across both canoe and kayak events.
Ben Pope – Open Men
WA’s most experienced athlete, Ben Pope, secured a top‑ten finish against a world‑class open field, placing 8th overall and ranking 5th Australian. His consistency across rounds reaffirmed his position among the nation’s strongest K1 paddlers.
Hunter – Men’s U23
Hunter added another solid performance to his weekend, finishing as the 7th‑ranked Australian U23, maintaining strong form across both disciplines.
Rhys & Kai – Men’s U18
Both athletes showed technical improvements and competitive spirit:
- Rhys: 5th Australian U18
- Kai: 13th Australian U18
Their results cement their rising status in a fast‑developing junior division.
Kayak Cross: Tactical Battles and WA Athletes Pushing Deep
All four WA athletes, Ben, Hunter, Rhys, and Izzy successfully advanced from the time trials into the Kayak Cross heats, a testament to their speed and technique in this increasingly unpredictable discipline.
Izzy vs Olympic Champion
Izzy drew an exceptionally tough heat featuring Paris Olympic gold medalist Noemie Fox, along with two other elite competitors. Despite a strong effort, she was knocked out in this opening round but received a valuable learning opportunity racing against world‑leading athletes.
Rhys – U18 Men’s Kayak Cross Winner
Rhys found himself in an all‑Australian heat alongside Ben Pope and eventual KX champion Merle Long. Although he didn’t progress, he achieved a significant milestone. Because Kayak Cross is raced as an all‑in discipline, Rhys was the furthest‑advancing U18 athlete, making him the U18 Men’s Kayak Cross winner for the event.
Hunter – Tough International Draw
Hunter drew one of the most physically demanding heats of the day, facing powerful paddlers from New Zealand, the Czech Republic, and AIN competitors. Despite strong positioning early in the race, he was unable to advance, but showed courage and skill against a formidable lineup.
Ben Pope – Quarterfinalist
Ben produced a confident Kayak Cross campaign, progressing through heats into the quarterfinals. A fault in that round placed him 4th, preventing advancement, but his performance still represented one of the strongest showings by an Australian male paddler on the day.
A Proud Weekend for Western Australia
Against a fiercely talented international field, Western Australia’s athletes delivered standout performances, personal bests, and podium finishes across events. From Izzy’s dual U18 successes to Rhys’s Kayak Cross victory and Ben’s top‑ten K1 result, the 2026 Penrith Open was a powerful testament to WA’s growing depth and high‑performance potential.
These results reflect not only the hard work of the athletes but also the dedication of coaches, clubs, and the wider WA paddling community. With the season just beginning, these performances set an exciting tone for what lies ahead.
Congratulations to everyone involved!
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