Gath Sports is thrilled to welcome Ben Pope to the official Gath Sports International Team. One of Australia’s top Kayak Cross athletes, Ben has already made a huge impact in the sport, securing titles such as 2025 Australian Canoe Slalom National Champion and 2025 Oceania Canoe Slalom Champion in KC discipline.

Ben played a crucial role during the final testing of the world’s first Kayak Cross helmet kit at the 2025 ICF Slalom World Championships in Sydney. Over an intensive week, Gath Sports was on-site working closely with the ICF, its official developing safety team, and athletes—including Olympic gold medalists—to test, refine, and perfect the helmet for elite-level performance.

This milestone continues Gath Sports’ long tradition of innovation and athlete safety. After introducing the world’s first surfing helmet in 1989, Gath has been committed to keeping athletes safe while pushing the limits of their sport. The new Kayak Cross helmet kit represents the next step in this journey, combining cutting-edge protection, comfort, and performance for one of the fastest-growing disciplines in canoe slalom.

The week in Sydney also offered an invaluable opportunity to meet with federations from around the world, discuss future projects, and gather feedback directly from the riders. Ben’s expertise and firsthand insights from these sessions have been instrumental in shaping the helmet’s design, ensuring it meets the rigorous demands of the sport while prioritizing safety.

With the introduction of this certified Kayak Cross helmet kit, alongside the already trusted GEDI model, Gath Sports continues to lead in athlete protection and sport innovation. With Ben on board, the goal is clear: push the limits of Kayak Cross safely, combining skill, performance, and pioneering technology to take the sport to the next level.

After positive feedback from athletes, including Olympic gold medalists, and the ICF’s official developing safety team, Gath Sports is now working closely with the ICF to introduce this new certified helmet, alongside our GEDI model, to the official approved list.