Recorded live at the World Freestyle Championships, this episode of The Whitewater Line brings together legendary paddler Eric Jackson and head judge Charlie Brackpool for an unfiltered conversation on the sport’s past, present, and future.

Eric shares stories from his decades at the forefront of whitewater freestyle—how his boat designs reshaped the game, and how his family became inseparable from the sport. Charlie breaks down the judging side: from how judges are trained and graded, to scoring systems, bonus rules, and the role of technology in modern competition.

Together, they pull back the curtain on team culture, behind-the-scenes stories, and where freestyle is headed next. With support from Mason Hargrove, this is a rare chance to hear two of freestyle’s most influential voices trade insights at the very heart of the action.