As the gates open, anticipation turns to adrenaline, marking the only certainty in kayak cross, a dynamic and chaotic addition to the Olympics debuting at Paris 2024. This new event combines the precision of traditional kayaking with the unpredictability of head-to-head competition, creating an electrifying spectacle.

The calm before the storm is brief, as competitors launch from the starting ramp into a frenzy of brightly colored boats and frantic paddles navigating through turbulent white water. This brutal, high-octane event also requires athletes to perform a 360-degree boat roll, adding to the complexity.

Among the contenders is Britain’s Kimberley Woods, the reigning kayak cross world champion. “Hectic. Absolutely hectic. That’s what I love so much about it – you never know what is going to happen,” says the 28-year-old Woods. Despite her impressive track record, Woods acknowledges the unpredictable nature of the sport.

Woods, who claimed her first individual world title at Lee Valley last September, embodies the spirit of kayak cross, where success depends as much on adaptability as on speed. The event complements the traditional canoe and kayak singles, now pitting four athletes against each other, with both upstream and downstream gates to navigate.

“I love that it is so inconsistent in a way that you just don’t know what is going to happen,” Woods explains. “You can’t plan for anything. You can only plan to react in the moment.”

Woods is part of a formidable Team GB canoeing squad, which includes Olympic medallists Joseph Clarke and Mallory Franklin, and Adam Burgess, who narrowly missed a medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite the chaos, Woods aims to replicate her world championship success in Paris and also compete in the women’s kayak singles (K1).

Her journey to the top has been challenging, overcoming serious mental health issues to reach a second Olympic Games. “It is something that has been a dream since I was a junior,” Woods reflects. Her emotional world championship victory in front of a home crowd last year remains a powerful reminder of her progress.

The kayak cross competitions commence on 3 August at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium with an initial time-trial round determining the heats. Woods, with her Olympic experience and proven ability to win major titles, is poised for success.

“The belief was there in Tokyo, but it is definitely there now,” Woods says. Contemplating the possibility of Olympic gold, she adds, “I’ll be absolutely distraught. Everything would just come out… I’m hoping I will be more composed – but there will probably be some ugly photos of me crying happy tears.”

As Woods and her competitors await the opening gates, the stage is set for an unforgettable debut of kayak cross at the Paris Olympics, promising thrills, spills, and extraordinary displays of athleticism.