Help Hargrove Siblings Represent USA in Germany

MASON, MAKINLEY KATE, and MARY CLAIRE HARGROVE are three siblings set to represent the USA at the 2025 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Plattling, Germany.

What is the Canoe Freestyle World Championships?

In short, it’s the "Olympics" of Freestyle Whitewater Kayaking—an extreme sport that combines athleticism and artistry in the rapids.

What is Freestyle Kayaking?

Think of it as gymnastics in a short kayak, performed in a whitewater feature. Competitors have 45 seconds to execute as many tricks as possible in a hole feature. Each trick is worth a set number of points, with bonuses for big air, linked moves, and clean execution. The competition starts with a prelim round, and if they score high enough, the athletes advance to the quarters, semifinals, and finals.

Why Do We Need Your Support?

Did you know that our USA Freestyle Kayaking Team is 100% self-funded? That means all expenses—including uniforms, competition fees, judges' fees, lodging, transportation, food, training costs, boat storage, and water fees—are paid by the athletes themselves or through fundraising efforts.

What Do We Need?

We are asking for your support to help cover the costs for Mason and Makinley Kate as they represent the USA at the 2025 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Plattling, Germany. Whether through financial contributions or simply cheering them on, your support means the world to us! You can watch the livestream of the event and cheer alongside our family. We’ll share the links on social media as June approaches.

The Full Story:

In August 2024, Mason, Makinley Kate, and Mary Claire Hargrove competed in the USA Team Trials in Wausau, Wisconsin. After months of training on and off the water, their hard work paid off—all three earned spots on the USA Freestyle Team.

Makinley Kate earned first place in the team trials, and Mary Claire took third, securing their spots on the Junior Women’s USA Team.

Mason, who finished second overall in Prelims, Semi-Finals, and Finals in the Men’s division, impressed everyone, only trailing behind the world’s #1 kayaker, Dane Jackson.

Now, with three USA Team members, the Hargroves are chasing their dreams of competing on the world stage for their family, their communities, and the USA. However, preparing for Plattling, Germany is an expensive endeavor. We are responsible for plane tickets, accommodations, competition fees, uniforms, and much more. Unlike many other countries, our National Federation does not provide funding for the sport of Freestyle Kayaking.

Their Achievements:

Mason Hargrove: In 2019, Mason took home gold at the ICF Canoe Freestyle Junior Men’s World Championships, to become the 2019 Junior Men's World Champion. Since moving up to the Senior Men’s division, he’s finished in the Top 10 at the World Championships in both 2022 and 2023. He also won a gold and bronze at the ICF Canoe Freestyle Senior Men’s World Cup in Columbus, Georgia in 2022. A multi-time National Champion and medalist in other freestyle and downriver and giant slalom events, Mason is also dedicated to sharing his passion for kayaking by volunteering with local communities.

Makinley Kate Hargrove: At just 14 years old in 2022, Makinley Kate earned bronze at the ICF World Championships. She is the current World Record Holder for the highest score by a Junior Woman in an ICF Worlds Event (746 points in the 2022 Semi-Finals in Nottingham). In 2022, she also took home two golds at the ICF Canoe Freestyle Junior Women’s World Cup. In 2023, she earned another gold at the ICF Junior World Championships, becoming the Junior Women’s World Champion. Makinley Kate is a multi-time Freestyle National Champion, she has medaled in other freestyle events, and downriver and giant slalom races. She also actively volunteers and is dedicated to teaching kayaking to youth across the country.

Mary Claire Hargrove: New to competition on the World Stage, Mary Claire is making her debut at the 2025 ICF Freestyle World Championships in Plattling, Germany. At just 15 years old, she earned her spot on the Junior Women’s Freestyle Team, and is currently ranked third in the USA for her division. She has also won gold at US Nationals as a cadet, and has medaled in several freestyle and downriver events. Mary Claire is passionate about teaching kids to love kayaking and the outdoors.

The World Championships are the pinnacle of Freestyle Kayaking—Freestyle’s equivalent of the Olympics. Each of the Hargroves proudly represents their home community of Columbus, Georgia, Phenix City, Alabama, and the United States of America.

How You Can Help:

The Hargrove family’s journey to Plattling, Germany is 100% self-funded, covering everything from team uniforms to competition fees, lodging, travel expenses, and more. If you are able to contribute in any way, it would mean the world to them as they prepare for this incredible opportunity. Any donations to help cover these costs are greatly appreciated.

You can also support by cheering them on from home! Watch the livestream of the event, and follow their journey through social media for updates and links to the live broadcast as the event approaches.

Social Media Links:

Instagram:

HARGROVE ADVENTURES | MASON HARGROVE | MAKINLEY KATE HARGROVE | MARY CLAIRE HARGROVE

Facebook:

HARGROVE ADVENTURES | MASON HARGROVE | MAKINLEY KATE HARGROVE | MARY CLAIRE HARGROVE

YouTube:

HARGROVE ADVENTURES | MASON HARGROVE | MAKINLEY KATE HARGROVE

Thank you for your support!

-Hargrove Crew of 6

Hargrove Adventures: 2024 Year In Review

2024 has been a year dedicated to making time for what we love—being on the water and fostering community. We've had the joy of sharing our passion for kayaking and inspiring others to discover it for themselves. Our schedule has been filled with meaningful opportunities, from mentoring veterans through Team River Runner to connecting with communities across the United States. Along the way, we've continued to focus on our own personal growth and family bonding. This year, we made the decision to return to the heart of what drives us on the river: improving lives through kayaking.

Volunteer Impacts

Paid Teaching Impacts

Competition Impacts

* Documentary: Our family was ecstatic to be apart of telling some of our story through a documentary at our local paddling scene. Its called 'The Wintering Grounds' and you can Watch the trailer HERE