“Kelsey is a hard worker, great paddler and someone that I can count on to get the job done. Not only do I feel that he has immense potential on the paddling circuit but will no doubt be my replacement in the future.”
Billy Harris, Two Time World Silver Medalist
“I have been fortunate over the last few years to watch Kelsey evolve from a very talented young paddler to one of the most technical and skilled kayakers in the world. I particularly respect Kelsey because as he has worked his way into the top level of the sport while remaining a great person to be around and a great ambassador for the sport. The combination of Kelsey's friendly personality and unique kayak skills surely make him an asset to any team.”
Jay Kincaid, 2003 World Freestyle Kayaking Champion
“Kelsey is passionate and driven towards the sport of kayaking. His smooth style and friendly nature make him a great ambassador to the sport. ”
Brendan Mark 2003 World Squirt Boat Champion
“As a Team manager, I often use Kelsey Thompson as my example to what a sponsored athlete should be like. From pursuing media exposure, providing us with images, posting updates, instructional tips, trip reports etc. on various websites, sending us updates and quarterly reports, racking some awesome competition results and his amazing ability to impress anyone who watches him paddle, Kelsey is the best example of a productive and useful team member.”
Yonton Mehler, Astral Buoyancy Marketing
“Kelsey posses’ the gift an elite kayaker needs. The ability to feel the water and connect to it. Watching Kelsey everything seem weightless, such grace behind his freestyle moves as well as his river running and creeking.”
Tanya Faux, 2007 World Silver Medalist
“Every once in a while you meet kayakers that make moves look truly easy and are
just awesome to see on the river. Kelsey is one of those people; every time he
takes the feature the whole eddy watches just so they don't miss something.
Yet when he paddles into the eddy he's the first to strike up a conversation or
tell you what a great ride you just had. This combination makes him not only
one of the better paddlers out there today, in my opinion, but also a great
friend.”
Andrew Holcombe, Silver Medalist 2003 World Freestyle Kayaking Championship
“Kelsey is a humble, low key individual with an explosive and dynamic paddling style. His maturity and commitment have brought him to where he is now, and he's got a lot to show the kayaking world in the future.”
Christopher Gragtmans, Kayaking Machine
“Kelsey is one of the strongest young paddlers I’ve seen in a long time. He has a very smooth, precise style and great down to earth attitude. He is a versatile and consistent paddler with strong wave and hole moves and ability to be spectacular in even the smallest river features.”
Ryan Whetung, Liquid Skills Senior Instructor
“Kelsey Thompson is one of the most gifted freestyle kayakers in the World. Within only a short amount of time, he has risen to the top of the competition scene. He is not only a talented freestyle kayaker, but also an incredible creeker and river runner. However, Kelsey is best known for his magnetic personality and passion for kayaking. He is modest, unassuming, and genuine even though his accomplishments and experiences could have made him otherwise. He is an outstanding Ambassador to the sport of kayaking.”
Tanya Shuman, Two time World Big Air Champion
“Kelsey came out of nowhere to show Canadians what really goes on in the East Coast. As the ‘Quiet Storm’ you’d better be careful, he’s coming and he’ll be showing up with a fury when you least expect it.”
Ruth Gordon, 2007 World Champion
"Kelsey presents himself as the most professional new athlete in the sport of whitewater kayaking. Not only is his performance on the water impressive but his media and communication skills are first-class and well-timed. I am impressed."
Spencer Cooke, Effort.tv
“Kelsey is a mature young athlete who works hard to be the best that he can be on the water. He is also friendly and helpful to the people he meets in the eddy; a true ambassador to the sport.”
Tiffany Manchester, Three Time Canadian Champion
“It is rare to come across a paddler as smooth as Kelsey. Not only is he amazing to watch kayak, but he is great to be around off the water. Kelsey has the complete package to be a very valuable athlete to his sponsors.”
Bryan Kirk, Bronze Medalist 2001 World Freestyle Kayaking Championships
“Kelsey has the skills and style that showcase Canadian paddlers ability to turn heads.”
Tyler Curtis, Four Time Canadian Champion
"In two years Kelsey Thompson has gone from 'that young guy who rips Garb' amongst the Ottawa circles to having his own well-traveled blogspot full of waterfalls, big waves, racing and rodeos. He's definitely now one of the new kids to watch at kayaking comps of all sorts."
Clay Wright
“Kelsey is not only one of the smoothest and most dynamic boaters in freestyle kayaking, but a pleasure to be around both on and off the river. Defiantly a positive addition to our growing sport.”
Scott Feindel, Canadian Freestyle Team