As the slalom season slowed to a halt, Evy Leibfarth packed her bags and headed half-way across the globe in search of new waters to master, a Winter Olympic Games to cover and a social media presence to increase.
First on Leibfarth’s extensive off-season list came her anticipated trip to Northeastern India, trading her slalom course for the wildwater of Maghalaya.
“We went to India for some whitewater paddling, and it just really big whitewater to be honest,” said Leibfarth.
“In slalom, we say it’s harder moves on easier waters.
“You’re doing moves that even some of the best paddlers in the world are having trouble with.
“With whitewater paddling, you’re just trying to make it down the water and it’s a different kind of fear and excitement towards it.
“I love that I get to do both sides of paddling.”
For the Olympic bronze medallist, her off-season was only just getting started.
As the Winter Olympic Games commenced across Northern Italy, Leibfarth traded in water for snow to support her nation.
“I was so excited this winter to go to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games to support Team USA,” she said.
“I was able to go there and cheer on our athletes, I got to do some cool content.
“It was just a really different vibe of winter sports to summer. It was very cool and the athletes are crazy.
“It was so cool to see other sports and feel that energy going into our home Olympics.”
Leibfarth took to social media to document her trip and support for the athletes, whilst announcing herself as a self-proclaimed ‘full-time athlete and part-time tiktoker’.
“I would hope social media has brought more people into our sport,” said the 22-year-old.
“I think kayaking is a small sport, but I’m biased to say it’s the coolest one out there.
“We have a lot of really cool athletes with cool stories, and I hope we can keep sharing that.
“Especially as move toward another Olympic Games and more races – it’s so great to get that out there.”
As the Winter Olympics drew to an end, Leibfarth’s attention quickly turned back to her familiar environment – getting ready for the water.
With the event season in full swing, Leibfarth is excited to head down home water rapids.
Oklahoma City is staging this year’s ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships for the first time, and no one is more excited than the athletes who call it home.
“To have a home World cCampionships is crazy exciting to me,” she said.
“We have a great course in Oklahoma and me and the rest of my team have been training there for the last couple of years to get ready and be prepared. I’m really excited.”
Already half-way through the cycle, heads will be slowly turning to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
“I’m of course looking forward to the home Olympics. It’s just wild. It’s truly something every athlete dreams of,” said Leibfarth.
“What keeps me motivated for LA28 is the amazing community around the sport.
“Having my dad as my coach makes it a bit of a family event for me.”
Although athletes can’t get too eager too soon, Leibfarth’s aim is sweet and simple - “The goal is gold.”
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