CT&A: What is Freestyle Kayaking?
Jay Kincaid: Freestyle Kayaking is using all of the rivers features to do tricks. Most Freestyle competitions will be held on a river wave or in a hole. A river wave can be much like a wave in the ocean, and a hole is basically the same but it has a foam pile like a wave that has crashed. A foam pile makes the hole more retentive and allows for different tricks. In Freestyle competition the goal is to perform as many different tricks as possible in 45 seconds. Each move has a different variety score depending on the difficulty of that move. At the end of your 45 seconds your variety score is multiplied by your technical score, which is derived by how vertical you were throughout your ride.

CT&A: Where have you traveled for boating?
JK: Kayaking has given me the opportunity to travel to some amazing places. I have paddled in Norway, Spain, France, Austria, Canada, Equator, Chile, Argentina, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Uganda, and Zambia. I have memories from these places that I will keep with me my whole life, and I feel very fortunate because kayaking has allowed me to see these places through a different set of eyes.

CT&A: What do you like best about freestyle kayaking?
JK: I like that when I am on the river I feel totally free. I like that it allows me to be creative in a place that I feel truly comfortable.

CT&A: Tell me about the 2003 World Championships in Graz, Austria.
JK: The World Championships were great. They were held in down town Graz which made for the perfect venue. The hole was just down stream of a bridge so that it was viewable from three sides making it very easy for spectators. The competition itself was really tough. There were over 35 different countries represented with each country bringing their best team. The first round cut the men's competitors from 180 down to 35. The next round cut to 15 and the following round to the final 5. From there it was head to head elimination. Everyone got one ride and the lowest scorer was eliminated. This went on for four rounds until there was a winner. Winning the World Championships has always been a goal of mine. It was an incredible feeling to be standing on the podium realizing a dream that I had had my whole life. My girlfriend and my father were there which made it even more special for me.

CT&A: Who are your sponsors? What do you do for them?
JK: I am sponsored by Dagger Kayaks, Salomon, Kokatat Water Wear, and Werner Paddles. I represent their current products and give feedback in the development of new product.

CT&A: What are your favorite places to kayak?
JK: Believe it or not California has some of the best kayaking in the world. The Sierra Nevada Mountains hold some amazing and remote rivers that are unlike anything else in the world. I also really enjoyed kayaking in Norway. Norway packs some of greatest kayaking that I have ever seen and the Scandinavian lifestyle makes it all the better.

CT&A: What are your future goals in freestyle kayaking?
JK: I am going to continue to compete, do more filming, run more rivers, and try to win another World Championship title. Outside of the sport I hope to spend more time hunting, riding motorcycles, and being home with my girlfriend.

CT&A: How do you keep yourself in shape?
JK: I kayak over 300 days a year and that alone gives me a pretty good level of fitness. I also do push ups and stretch every day. Really though the biggest thing for me is just paddling hard. I like to get out of the water and feel fatigued, and that mentality keeps me in good shape.

CT&A: How can people get involved with the sport?
JK: Almost any city has some sort of kayaking to offer depending on what part of the country you live in. Most colleges and local retailers have programs, lessons, or clubs. Kayaking magazines and outdoor magazines will advertise outfitters that teach clinics and offer trips all over the world. It is really as simple as picking up Paddler Magazine, stopping by an outdoor retail store, making a couple of phone calls, or using that thing called the internet. The next thing you know you will be out on the water having a great time.

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