Kayak Session: Being from Merano, Italy, seems like a head start to outdoor adventure. What is Merano like for those who don’t know it?
Matthias Weger: Merano is a historic city on the south side of the alps. It is surrounded by mountains that rise over 3000 meters. It’s very touristic in summer, and a bit quieter in winter. The Passer River, which flows through the middle of the city, gives the city character. When spring flows are on, sometimes there are hundreds of tourists watching kayakers have fun on the water.
KS: Is that how you were introduced to kayaking?
MW: My dad is a kayaker, and I’ve always been attracted by water, even as a young kid. Before I learned how to swim, a kayak was the best way to get on/into the water.
KS: Why not skiing, being from a mountain town?
MW: I’ve always skied in winter. I started early, before I turned three, and just after I took my first strokes in a kayak. I always wanted to ski off-piste, and as a young teenager, I was really into powder skiing. I quickly understood that good powder is rarely found with lift access, but I didn’t like hiking or touring, so kayaking was definitely the better choice for me. I only really got into ski touring after my first winter in New Zealand in 2019, when I developed a deep addiction to big, steep powder lines.
KS: What is Merano’s kayaking scene like?
MW: Merano has a long kayaking tradition and a nice and active paddling community. It has hosted a few slalom and downriver world championships over the years. There are still people training slalom and a small but strong creeking crew that includes legends like Florian Daltrozzo and Tom Waldner.
"I LOVE THE ADVENTURES AND THE MISSIONS, AND SHARING THAT WITH GOOD FRIENDS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT FOR ME."
KS: You grew up racing slalom, starting your career racing for Italy, but later switched to Austria. What happened? Do you have dual citizenship?
Yep, I actually got dual citizenship because I was a potential athlete to compete at the Olympics. I really enjoyed racing U18 with the
