In a landmark achievement for paddlesport safety and innovation, Gath Sports has announced that its world’s first Kayak Cross helmet is now officially approved on the International Canoe Federation (ICF) equipment list for competition from 2026. This approval marks an extraordinary milestone — the culmination of over three years of dedicated development, extensive prototyping, and close collaboration with elite athletes, safety experts, and the ICF Safety Commission.

This new helmet design represents a pivotal leap forward in athlete protection for Kayak Cross, one of the fastest‑growing disciplines in canoe slalom and a spectacle of speed, skill, and strategic head‑to‑head racing.

A Revolution in Kayak Cross Safety

The Gath Kayak Cross Helmet is the result of a meticulous design and testing journey involving more than 10 prototype iterations, each refined to meet the dynamic demands of competition at the highest level. At the heart of the design is a 4 mm titanium faceguard — an industry first — engineered to provide elite facial protection without compromising visibility, comfort, or performance. Combined with a completely reimagined comfort liner and Gath’s advanced roller size adjuster system, the helmet delivers a customized, secure fit for every athlete.

Built on the proven impact resistance of Gath’s acclaimed GEDI model, the Kayak Cross Helmet blends rugged durability with precision engineering — ideal for the extreme collisions and rapid course exchanges unique to kayak cross competition.

Collaboration With the Best in the Sport

This helmet’s development was shaped by an extraordinary partnership:

The ICF Safety Commission and Olympic officials provided critical technical guidance to ensure compliance with emerging competition standards.
Professional athletes and coaches, including Olympic gold medalists and national team leaders, tested early prototypes to refine safety features under real competitive conditions.
Elite Kayak Cross competitors like Ben Pope — now part of the Gath Sports International Team — played a central role during on‑site testing at the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Sydney, offering direct feedback that guided final design choices.

Ben’s involvement, alongside federations and riders from around the world during Sydney’s high‑profile event, helped ensure that the helmet not only meets elite performance standards but prioritizes safety in the most demanding race environments.

Official ICF Approval: What It Means

With ICF certification now confirmed for helmets on the official equipment list starting in 2026, athletes competing internationally in Kayak Cross will have access to gear specifically engineered for the sport’s kinetic intensity. Under ICF rules, helmets must be EN1385 compliant and formally registered to be authorized for use in Olympic and ICF competitions — a milestone clearance this Gath design now fulfils.

This official recognition not only validates Gath’s innovative approach but sets a new benchmark for safety equipment across canoe slalom disciplines, continuing the brand’s long tradition of pioneering protective gear since introducing the first surfing helmet in 1989.

Looking Ahead: Pre‑Orders Coming Early 2026

Gath Sports is now finalizing the final details in preparation for the helmet’s commercial launch, with pre‑orders opening in early 2026. Athletes, teams, and paddling enthusiasts eager to secure this game‑changing safety product will soon have the opportunity to be among the first to bring the new Kayak Cross Helmet into training and competition.

Stay tuned for updates — a new era of safety and performance in Kayak Cross is here.