The 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Freestyle World Championships concluded in Plattling, Germany in June 2025, and Sam Wilson of the United Kingdom took home the gold in the Men’s Kayak Squirt Championship. The win followed a close race with Alex Edwards, also from the United Kingdom, and Wilson needed a perfect ride to secure the gold medal.
In addition to securing the gold, Wilson also set a world record with a score of 3,246.67 in kayak squirt; this was the highest score ever recorded according to BBC News.
19-second mystery move yields new world record in kayak squirt
Kayak squirt is a discipline within whitewater kayaking that involves using a tight-fitting kayak with neutral buoyancy designed to neither sink nor float in order to perform tricks and maneuvers while partially or completely submerged. Paramount among these tricks is the mystery move, which involves sinking beneath the surface of the water completely and riding underwater currents.
For Wilson, the mystery move played a key role in his victory.
“He needs to get all the way down – and he’s gone! He needs to stay down,” said commentators at the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Freestyle World Championships as Wilson disappeared beneath the surface of the river. “Oh this is incredible. This actually is incredible. Oh, it is not over yet folks.”
Wilson’s routine concluded with a nineteen second mystery move and commentators remarking on what an incredible show Wilson had put on, despite most of that show happening beneath the surface.
BBC News also reported that kayak squirt is being considered for future Olympic games.
Sam Wilson emerges from a 19 second mystery move and sets a new world record in kayak squirt. Feature Image: Planet Canoe | YouTube
