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.

WITH GRATITUDE

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 through the world paddling community.

SALZA RODEO, AUSTRIA, APRIL-MAY 2026

RÍO ARA EXTREME RACE, SPAIN, MAY 2026

PRELLES RADEAU RALLYE, DURANCE, FRANCE, MAY 2026

DEE FEST, NORTH WALES, APRIL 2026

BOSS OF VALSESIA, ITALY, MAY 2026

GOPRO MOUNTAIN GAMES, COLORADO, USA, JUNE 2026

NEILSON FEST, QUÉBEC, MAY 2026

ICF CANOE FREESTYLE WORLD CUP, MILLAU, FRANCE, JUNE 2026

NORTH FORK CHAMPIONSHIP XI, IDAHO, USA, JUNE 2026

CANOE FREESTYLE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, FINLAND, JUNE 2026

CALLAGHAN RACE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, JUNE 2026

DESCENTS

ENVIRO

Arunachal Pradesh The allure of a place in the Far East • Arunachal Pradesh remains one of the great outliers in whitewater kayaking: a vast Himalayan watershed that has somehow stayed largely off the international radar. After multiple trips into India’s remote northeastern frontier, paddler and photographer Kristof Stursa shares a guide to the region’s rivers, cultures, and travel realities. From the mighty Siang to little-known jungle tributaries, he explores a landscape defined by world-class whitewater, remarkable hospitality, and growing pressure from hydropower development. For kayakers looking beyond the familiar destinations, this is your call to head for the Himalayas.

THE TALLULAH GORGE Huge slides and sore calves • Brought onto the release schedule thanks to American Whitewater in the late 1990s, the Talullah has claimed its place as one of the Southeast's premier whitewater destinations. The spring and fall releases draw paddlers of every age and style, eager to experience its legendary rapids. The iconic staircase, smooth granite slides, lively riverside crowds, and unmistakable Southeast atmosphere combine to create a paddling weekend unlike any other—one that keeps people coming back year after year.

CHIHUAHUA The Spark Bird and the Río Verde • After a first mission in Chihuahua in 2024, Ben Stookesberry couldn't stop thinking about a river he had never poddled: the Río Verde. A year later, he returned to Mexico's Copper Canyon country, first with a new partner, then alone, in search of a river that would challenge not only his paddling but also his perspective on risk, partnership, and what really matters when the outcome is uncertain.

JEREMY NASH • Jeremy Nash is one of the most stylish paddlers of the new generation. From growing up on the rivers of the Southeast to finding home on the West Coast, his kayaking has always been driven by creativity, literally dancing with the river. Whether through downriver freestyle, going huge at Stakeout, pushing Class V, or finishing in the Top 5 at the North Fork Championship, Jeremy’s relationship with kayaking has always been about much more than simply going harder. At 24, he reflects on the mentors who drove him, the risks that changed his perspective, and how he continues to find joy in the sport.

IT BOILS DOWN TO THIS • In this column, Dane Jackson breaks down how timing,...