Category: events

At the end of August, Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham came alive with the splash and spirit of the 2025 Euro Open – a beloved freestyle kayaking event that’s been a key date in the paddling calendar for years. This year was extra special: not only did we host the British Freestyle Championships alongside a whole range of fun novice events, but we also welcomed the Euro Cup, drawing a vibrant crowd of international paddlers from across Europe.

Since River Legacy and GB Freestyle took over the reins from James Ibbotson last year, my husband Tom and I, alongside a brilliant team of committed friends, have poured our hearts into organising this event. This blog is my personal reflection on the weekend: part organiser, part participant, and full time enthusiast of any event that brings people together over their shared love of kayaking. I hope this article brings a smile, a memory, or maybe even a spark of inspiration. Please do share your own favourite Euro Open moments in the comments!

Picture this: 38 teenage kayakers, a week of white water, and a campsite buzzing with energy. That’s the GB Freestyle Kayaking Academy Camp at Holme Pierrepont (HPP). It is become an annual summer event that blends freestyle kayaking, friendship, and pure joy. Now in its third year, the camp continues to grow, and I’ve been lucky to be part of the volunteer team that runs the camp each time. Here’s my behind the scenes look at the 2025 camp.