In the world of whitewater slalom, navigating through turbulent waters and narrow gates is a daunting challenge that only a few excel at. Among them is Evy Leibfarth, a young talent from Bryson City, who has made remarkable strides in this demanding sport.
At just 22, Leibfarth clinched a silver medal in the kayak slalom at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City, finishing 1.31 seconds behind Australia’s three-time Olympic champion Jessica Fox. This achievement makes her the first American woman to earn a world championship medal in kayak slalom since Rebecca Giddens in 2003. In addition to this, she also competes in canoe slalom and kayak cross, having secured a bronze medal in canoe slalom at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with aspirations for gold in the 2028 games.
“It’s definitely going to be a hard goal to achieve, but I’m excited to spend a lot more time building my skills, getting stronger, faster, and just getting better,” she shared, emphasizing her commitment to improving her performance over the coming years.
Leibfarth’s journey in kayaking began at an early age, inspired by her upbringing in a family of raft guides and a community that has produced over 20 Olympic athletes. Her first kayak was a hot-pink model with a sparkly paddle, a gift when she was merely four years old. By eight, she was already competing in slalom, mastering techniques that would pave the way for her future success.
This community environment in western North Carolina made the dream of competing in the Olympics seem attainable, she noted. “I just grew up surrounded by these incredibly motivated, well-rounded athletes who taught me that you had to work hard to be an athlete — but it’s absolutely doable,” Leibfarth said. “I guess I never questioned that I could do it. I just always had everyone around me telling me that I could go to the Olympics.”
Jessica Webb
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Smoky Mountain Times
Currently residing in Charlotte, where she trains at the Whitewater Center, Leibfarth frequently visits Bryson City to see her parents and enjoy the cozy ambiance of La Dolce Vita Bakery. “They have this bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich that is just my favorite thing in the entire world. So, I like to go there with my mom and just talk about what’s been happening in our lives,” she mentioned.
Her father, who doubles as her coach, joins her on the water during these home visits, providing a unique opportunity for them to paddle together. “My dad’s my coach all year round, but he usually coaches me from the shore. But when I’m home, he paddles with me on the water, so that’s always pretty special,” she added.
