Kaylen Bassett. Photos courtesy of Paddle NSW
PADDLE NSW has announced that Western Sydney Whitewater club members Kaylen Bassett and Lucy Casserley were both successful in the 2025/26 Paddle NSW Annual awards.
Kaylen has been named the Male Paddler of the Year. During the nomination period, Kaylen won the silver medal at the 2026 Canoe Slalom Australian Open (C1M), and was the leading Australian at both this event as well as the 2026 Penrith Open, where he finished fourth, making him the first boat chosen for the national team in 2026.
Kaylen went on to make it into the top nine at ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Four in Tacen, Slovenia, in August 2025.
Kaylen’s crowning achievement in 2025 was winning the bronze medal in the C1M category at the 2025 Canoe Slalom World Championships, becoming only the second Australian man to win an individual canoe slalom senior world championships medal since Robin Bell in 2007.
Lucy Casserley has been named the Junior Paddler of the Year. Her progression in canoe slalom has been remarkable. In under three years, since first starting, Lucy has advanced through three pathway squads, from the Junior Development Squad to the National Development Squad, and has now earned selection on the 2026 Australian Junior Team, ranking as Top Female Junior.
