Jessica Fox burnout after Paris 2024, new canoe slalom season

Jessica Fox's schedule has been fully booked since returning from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with two gold medals.

After becoming the most successful Olympic paddler — male or female — in history with victory in the C1 and K1 canoe slalom events, Fox has since tried several pursuits away from whitewater rapids.

From strutting down a catwalk with L'Oréal Paris and joining Nine's ranks as a sports presenter to magazine photo shoots, awards show attendances and special guest appearances — Fox has been high in demand.

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Jessica Fox struts on the catwalk. L'Oréal Paris

Then there are her training commitments which she has also tried to maintain.

"It's been amazing and hectic and a whirlwind," Fox told Paddle Australia.

"I've been enjoying different opportunities and challenges and trying my hand at different things and then getting back into training."

Fox's season wrapped with success in the World Cup Final in Spain in September before the 30-year-old made the journey home.

Surrendering a holiday or period of hibernation, Fox threw herself into sponsorship opportunities and self-promotion — hustling relentlessly for two months straight.

"Christmas Day was great. I had a day off," Fox said with a laugh.

Jessica Fox represents Australia at the Olympic Games. Getty

"Definitely November [and] December, I probably got very close to burnout.

"I went on a lot of flights. I was travelling interstate a lot for different things. So I really enjoyed winding down over Christmas and recharging, and now it's a new year and new challenges and it's exciting to be back on the start line."

Fox will compete on her home course for the first time since Paris 2024 at this weekend's 2025 Canoe Slalom Oceania Championships.

While the event marks the start of the 2025 canoe slalom season, the event is significant as it doubles as a selection event for the Australian team which will compete on the World Cup circuit and contest the home ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.

Gold medallist Jessica Fox poses on the podium during the canoe slalom medal ceremony at Paris 2024. Getty

The Oceania Championships will be an important one on the 2025 calendar, as it doubles as a selection event for the 2025 Australian Senior team which will compete on the World Cup circuit and the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships which will be staged down under in early-October 2025.

While Fox is not sure how she will perform given her preparation, the chance to win a gold at a home World Championships in October will be a source of constant motivation.

"If you have six months off, it's really hard getting back in the boat," she said.

"It's the perfect way to stay motivated post-Games and also to kickstart the new Olympiad."

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