Junior World Championships 2026

What is Junior World Champions? 

The Junior World Championships in canoe slalom is a once a year international race. Team GB take 3 boats from each discipline out to race, determined by a selection race at the start of the year. We were both selected for the 2026 team (Sophie in C1 and Alex in C1 and K1). This was both of our first year on the junior GB team so we were both excited to find out what worlds is all about. 

Opening ceremony. 

Our Experience:

The Worlds were held in Krakow, Poland and we arrived a week before the race for training, there are limited training sessions so every session counts. They are carefully planned to get the most information we can about the course before seeing what gates we will have to do in the competition. In times when we’re not training we get to look around krakow and have amazing experiences like going swimming in a beautiful quarry. It’s a really social environment with the whole team staying in the same apartment block which is really nice. Everyone trains hard and has fun in the week before the race and then it suddenly becomes more serious as everyone prepares for their racing.

Sophie:

I was unfortunately unable to race due to medical complications. This was a really difficult setback to cope with but it showed me how unpredictable everything is and the only thing you can do is try and enjoy whatever comes your way. In the end I had a good week supporting my teammates even though it was not an easy week. Now I just have to focus on coming back ready for europeans in Epinal in August.

Alex:

I raced in both K1 and C1 but after good runs in heats some mistakes in semis cost me a place in the finals. I am disappointed I didn’t get the result i know was possible, but it showed me what is achievable. It was a cool experience being on an international start line and seeing how I compared to the best paddlers in the world.