Kayak Session Magazine

The biggest whitewater kayaking magazine in the world. If a photo speaks a thousand words, then Kayak Session is an encyclopedia. Dubbed the ‘National Geographic’ of whitewater kayaking, we collaborate with some of the best photographers and most acclaimed writers in the outdoor industry. Our photo concept is to show stunning images of kayakers in their element. This photos-first idea is coupled with a creative layout and fresh content, sure to inspire our readers with every issue. Kayak Session is the essential reading for whitewater kayakers worldwide.

EDITO • THE BEGINNING OF THE RISE COMMISSION

GALLERY SHOT

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS • This ongoing column is a place to report on the current news, latest descents, expeditions, people and trends in the whitewater world. The world is indeed a big place but the river connects us all. This column attempts to keep us in touch throughout the world paddling community.

VALSESIA RIVER FEST, ITALY, MAY 2025

THREE-RIVERS RENDEZVOUS, CANADA, MAY 2025

TRØNDELAGSRUNDEN, CENTRAL NORWAY, MAY 2025

MARYLAND CHUTE OUT, POTOMAC RIVER, USA, APRIL-SEPTEMBER 2025

RÍO ARA RACE AND GÁLLEGO FEST, SPAIN, APRIL-MAY 2025

SALZA RODEO, WILDALPEN, AUSTRIA, MAY 2025

DEE FEST, LLANGOLLEN, NORTH WALES, APRIL 2025

REEF ROYALTY, EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA, JUNE 2025

NATURAL GAMES, MILLAU, FRANCE, JUNE 2025

QUEEN & KING OF THE ALPS, SOUTH TYROL, ITALY, JUNE 2025

FREESTYLE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, PLATTLING, GERMANY, JUNE 2025

COLORADO SNOWMELT TOUR, USA, JUNE 2025

CIWW PADDLEFEST, CARDIFF, WALES, MAY 2025

EKSTREMSPORT VEKO, NORWAY, JUNE 2025

A WEEK IN HOKKAIDO, JAPAN, JUNE 2025

24-HOUR CHALLENGE ON THE DEE, UNITED KINGDOM, MAY 2025

STAKEOUT, CANADA, SPRING 2025

UPPER ARTOGNA, VALSESIA, ITALY, MAY 2025

FIRST DESCENT ON THE NUMEDALSLÅGEN, NORWAY, MAY 2025

A PACKRAFT MISSION ON THE UPPER RIO GRANDE, USA, MAY 2025

BETSIAMITES RIVER, QUÉBEC, JUNE 2025

UPPER RIO ARA, SPAIN, MAY 2025

TURNING DAMS INTO RAPIDS, VIRTAANKOSKI, FINLAND

SECURING THE RIGHT TO FLOAT, COLORADO, USA

MADAGASCAR The Grand Ikopa • Madagascar made for a promising exploratory mission for Kalob Grady, Dane Jackson, Adrian Mattern, Matti Deutsch, and photographer David Sodomka: vast landscapes, ancient rock formations, steep and big-volume rivers, and just enough beta from a few rare crews over the past two decades. But as soon as the crew put on, the challenges came fast, one after another. Follow Kalob Grady on an epic mission down the brown water of the Ikopa River.

BIG WATER THEORY BEHIND THE SCENES OF EXTREME KAYAKING • In 2023, Nouria Newman, Jules Dominé, and Maël Nguyen committed to paddling the legendary Rondu Gorge of the Indus River in Pakistan. Filmmaker Emile Dominé followed closely behind and documented each step of the journey from the bank, observing, filming, and gradually piecing together the complex decision-making behind big water paddling. What originally was meant to be a mission to film short clips eventually evolved into Big Water Theory, an award-winning full-length documentary stitched together over eight months in the editing room and brought to life over a year of screenings and festival touring. Emile shares what unfolded behind the scenes, and the lessons he took away from it.

The Haute-Isère An Alpine Whitewater Gem Rediscovered • Once considered one of the top spots for European whitewater, the Haute Isère has quietly slipped from the spotlight. But beneath the snowy flanks of Mont Blanc, the river still runs cold, clear, and full of character. With its legendary slalom course in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, a wide variety of whitewater for every skill level, and riverside campsites filled with the smell of...