Canmore paddler makes waves at nationals, qualifies to worlds

KANANASKIS – Jordy Munro is always looking for the next big trick.

Now with the recent finish of the Whitewater National Championships in Kananaskis Country (Aug. 13-18), the paddler from Canmore can start planning his next move that will woo the watersport judges from around the world.

A top prospect with a paddle, Munro won the junior men’s freestyle at nationals, showcasing his strength and flexibility while performing flips and tricks in a shorter watercraft on the Kananaskis River.

The awesome victory secured the Canmore teen’s spot at the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Plattling, Germany, in June 2025.

“I got on the national team because of this event [and] I’ll be going to worlds next year in Germany, which will be cool,” Munro said, still dripping off water on the stony shores of the local mountain river with a kayak hoisted over his shoulder.

Competing in the U18 male category, Munro also finished fifth in sprint, seventh in classic, and 11th in slalom at the national event. Freestyle, though, is what his mindset is focused on.

“I’m happy with how I performed this week,” he said. “I progressed throughout the week and seeing all the good athletes from different places.”

Some of those athletes included Paris 2024 Olympians Lois Betteridge and Alex Baldoni and national team paddler Lea Baldoni, who Munro was inspired to see up close and slicing through waves on the Kananaskis River.

“It’s cool to see how good they are and how much better they are than the average person,” said Munro.

Paris 2024 Olympian Alex Baldoni cuts through the rapids in slalom at the Whitewater National Championships in Kananaskis on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/GkjOLhc1op

— Jordan Small (@jordiesmall) August 18, 2024

Just returning from Olympic competition, 20-year-old Alex Baldoni was a bit mentally tired, but the scenic views of Kananaskis Country lifted his spirit while he expertly navigated the chilly glacier-fed river.

“It’s pretty sick to be racing in a pretty nice environment like this,” he said. “Nowadays, most of the courses are artificial so they're entirely built and we don’t get to race in nature like this with good weather and everything.

“What I will say is the water is a bit colder than what we are used to but that doesn’t change much, it just takes a few days to adapt and after that, it’s pretty good.”

Baldoni was parked on the podium at nationals, winning gold in the canoe slalom, silver in kayak slalom and silver in kayak cross, while his fellow Olympian, Betteridge, finished with gold in her only event, the freestyle. 

For full results, visit canoekayak.ca.