New Zealand’s Finn Butcher believes the unpredictability of kayak cross will bring an extra level of excitement and a new fan base to canoeing.
Kayak cross gets underway today with the individual time trials before paddlers compete against each other in the opening rounds tomorrow.
Using plastic boats and double-bladed paddles, competitors begin the race by sliding off a ramp more than two metres above the water and splashing onto the course as one.
Athletes then need to negotiate upstream and downstream buoys and complete a mandatory kayak roll.
With contact allowed, it’s gripping to watch as paddlers battle it out for glory.
Butcher is confident that those watching from within the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium and tuning in from across the world are going to fall in love with kayak cross.
“People love to see crashes,” said Butcher.
“People watch F1 hoping to see some crashes and I think kayak cross has a bit of that.
“It’s quite obvious who is leading and when there is an overtake it is obvious, whereas in the traditional slalom it is a bit harder to follow because it is a time trial-based thing so it’s harder to follow the leaderboard.
“There is carnage (in kayak cross).”
Originally called extreme slalom, kayak cross first appeared as a demonstration event at the 2015 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Pau, France.
It is now making its Olympic debut, giving paddlers an extra chance to get on the podium following the conclusion of the kayak and canoe competitions.
“I think it is awesome,” said Butcher.
“It’s a pretty cool opportunity for us to have another chance to medal and it extends the programme.
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“It gets more people on the podium and people with different skill sets as well being able to perform and I love it.
“It’s good fun.
“We always raced stuff like this back at home when we were kids.
“It’s on natural whitewater rivers.
“I didn’t have a first impression as I had seen it a lot of times before but it’s a good way to use the course again and it is definitely a spectator sport as it is pretty exciting.”
Butcher has enjoyed plenty of success on the kayak cross circuit, winning bronze at the 2021 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships and three medals at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup.
“It’s quite a different mindset to the slalom,” said Butcher.
“In slalom, you need to be quite measured because if you are not, you are going to mess things up technically and hit heaps of gates whereas cross is different.
“You have got to get a bit of mongrel and go for it.
“Also it’s quite unpredictable.
“You have got to play it as it lies – so what’s in front of you and what is behind you.
“It makes it exciting for people to watch but also nerve wracking when you are paddling as you are not sure what is going to happen.
“I’ve heard that slalom is quite well watched anyway, and I think the addition of cross is going to add another excitement level.
“The stands are huge in Paris and I think they are going to heaving for the cross, it is going to be wicked.”
Kayak cross races will run until August 5 when the medals will be awarded.
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