MRS Coaches Test Prototype "Orca" Packraft at Inaugural China Kayak Slalom Challenge 2025

MRS Coaches Test Prototype “Orca” Packraft at Inaugural China Kayak Slalom Challenge 2025

Luoyang, China | May 18, 2025

The first China Kayak Slalom Challenge concluded at the National Whitewater Training Base in Luoyang, Henan Province, marking a milestone in China’s whitewater sports development. Organized by the Water Sports Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Canoe Association, the event drew 93 athletes, showcasing cutting-edge technical innovations and competitive intensity in slalom kayaking.

Athletes competing at the National Whitewater Training Base in Luoyang during the inaugural China Kayak Slalom Challenge

MRS “Orca” Packraft Performance

MRS Paddling Academy coaches Zhao Jiang and Yuan Xiaojin competed with the upgraded prototype of MRS’s packraft “Orca,” still in testing phase. This marked the packraft’s second major appearance following its debut at the 2024 Nujiang International Kayak Festival. In the men’s open category, Zhao claimed bronze through precise course navigation, while Yuan secured fifth place.

 The “Orca” demonstrated exceptional maneuverability and stability in turbulent currents, proving its viability in elite competition.

Coach Zhao Jiang navigating the slalom course with the prototype “Orca” packraft

8 m/s

Average Downstream Speed

Record Single-Run Score

Participating Athletes

Advancing Packraft Technology

Key metrics highlighted the event’s competitiveness: Athletes achieved an average downstream speed of 8 m/s, while a single-run score of 95 points set a new national record—clear evidence of China’s rapidly advancing slalom standards.

MRS packrafts garnered significant attention for their modular design, blending expedition-grade portability with race-ready performance. Unlike traditional hard-shell kayaks, these foldable, inflatable crafts are gaining traction among both competitive athletes and recreational paddlers.

The growing whitewater community at the China Kayak Slalom Challenge

Safety-Centric Community Growth

In China, the growing whitewater community emphasizes safety-centric practices, whether refining skills in flatwater training or conducting risk assessments during whitewater expeditions. This culture of teamwork and meticulous route planning is driving sustainable growth for packrafting as an outdoor pursuit, with MRS at the forefront of this evolution.