The 22-year-old began the year intending to use the opening three World Cups to build experience before targeting his best performances at the season’s two World Championships.

That plan, so far, has exceeded expectations.

In July, Leaver was crowned under-23 K1 world champion in Krakow before heading to Oklahoma City - the venue for the LA 2028 Olympic Games - where he finished fourth in the senior K1 final and won kayak cross bronze - his first medal at a senior World Championships.

“It’s been pretty good so far,” he said. “At the start of the season, my intention was to gain more senior experience from the first three World Cups and then try to perform at the World Championships.

“I came first in slalom at the under-23 Worlds, then third and fourth at the senior Worlds. There wasn’t much room to do much better at those two events, so everything feels like a bonus now.”

Leaver’s progress follows an impressive first full senior season in 2025, during which he established himself on the international circuit with three World Cup bronze medals across slalom and kayak cross.

He believes the experience gained during that campaign - and the support surrounding him at Lee Valley - has helped turn potential into consistent performances.

“I’m trying to think more carefully about what I’m doing and have a clear intention behind the things I do every day,” he explained.

“The people around me have really helped. Working with Campbell Walsh and Joe Clarke, as well as having the support of my parents and everyone at home, means I’m able to go to races, gain experience and learn quickly.”

Training alongside Olympic champion and multiple world champion Clarke, under the guidance of Olympic silver medallist Walsh, gives Leaver daily access to two of the sport’s most experienced figures.

While there are technical lessons to absorb, it is their mindset that has made the greatest impression.

“The biggest thing you learn from them is how relaxed and composed they are about what they’re doing, and how much confidence they have in their processes,” Leaver said.

“There are loads of technical things I can learn from Joe and Campbell, but that relaxed, confident and engaged mindset is probably the biggest lesson - especially when you’re a young athlete.”

That confidence was evident in Oklahoma City. Racing at the future LA28 Olympic venue, Leaver produced two of the biggest performances of his career- and allowed himself to consider what returning there for an Olympic Games could feel like.

“The Americans put on a really good show,” he said. “The event logo was lit up on the main tower in the city, we were on the news and people knew why we were there. It felt like the whole city was watching.

“If that was only a World Championships, you can imagine what the Olympics will be like. I was thinking about the Olympic rings being on those buildings and what it would be like if I made it back there.”

Before then, Leaver’s attention returns to the 2026 World Cup circuit, with the final two rounds set to be held in September in Paris and La Seu d’Urgell followed by the European Championships in Ivrea, Italy.

With his major targets already achieved, his approach to the closing stages of the season is simple: keep trusting what is working.

“I’m really enjoying kayaking at the moment and I really like racing,” he said. “Every time I get on the water, I feel like I’m going to do a good run.

“I don’t want to change anything or try to reinvent things. I just want to keep doing what I’m doing and keep enjoying it. I’m sure the results will keep coming.”

Beyond this season, there is also the prospect of racing a senior international event on home water for the first time when the World Cup comes to Lee Valley from 13–15 August 2027.

“I think Lee Valley is one of the best places in the world to train every day,” Leaver said. “The facilities are amazing and the coaching set-up is perfect.

“I’ve never raced a World Cup at home before, so it’s going to be really fun. The British team knows how to paddle Lee Valley better than anyone, and I think you can expect some really good results - I think the whole team is going to perform well here.”