Biography
Started: He took up kayaking at age 16. (paralympics.org.nz, Aug 2015)
Reason: He was a rugby player in his school. He was also interested in running, judo, surf lifesaving and kayaking. He had dreamed of competing at the Olympic Games, but after his illness he switched his focus to going to the Paralympic Games in canoe sprint. "I initially got into kayaking for the social aspect, and for cross-training for other sports I was doing at the time." (canoeracing.org.nz, 03 Jul 2024; Woman's Day magazine, 08 Jul 2019; paralympics.org.nz, Aug 2015)
Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (paralympics.org.nz, 10 May 2024)
Milestones: He became the first New Zealand paddler to compete at the Paralympic Games when he participated at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (stuff.co.nz, 15 Sep 2016)
Awards: He was named Male Canoe Sprint Athlete of the Year at the 2023 Canoe Racing New Zealand Sports and Recognition Awards. (Canoe Racing New Zealand Facebook page, 02 Dec 2023)
He received an Excellence Award at the 2022 Canoe Racing New Zealand awards ceremony. (canoeracing.org.nz, 21 Apr 2023)
In 2016 he received an Olympian Award from Canoe Racing New Zealand. (canoeracing.org.nz, 2016)
Additional Info: RETURN TO PADDLING
While in hospital after the amputation of his left leg, he received a paddle and letter from his friend Nick. "It said, 'Look forward to seeing you back out on the water. I don't care how fast we go, I just want you back out there'." Despite experiencing low moments, he said he was determined to return to the water, starting with kayak-specific exercises during six months of rehabilitation. 10 months after the surgery, he, along with his twin brother Michael and friend Nick, won gold and silver medals in their races at the 2011 national surf lifesaving championships in New Zealand. "It was one of the most amazing sporting moments of my life." (Woman's Day magazine, 08 Jul 2019; nzherald.co.nz, 26 Feb 2020)
Sporting Relatives: His twin brother Michael has played rugby union at club level in New Zealand. (stuff.co.nz, 08 Jun 2015)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderMale
Birth DateSeptember 23, 1992
OccupationAthlete
EducationSurveying - Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, New Zealand
Languages SpokenEnglish
CoachLeigh Barker
Highlights
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 4 | Kayak Single 200m - KL2 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 42.880 |
| 8 | Va'a Single 200m - VL3 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 54.756 |
| 8 | Kayak Single 200m - KL3 | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | 43.921 |
| ICF Paracanoe World Championships | ||||
| 2 | Kayak Single 200m - KL2 | 2018 | Montemor-o-Velho, POR | 42.360 |
| 3 | Kayak Single 200m - KL2 | 2022 | Halifax, NS, CAN | 44.21 |
| 3 | Kayak Single 200m - KL2 | 2019 | Szeged, HUN | 43.51 |
| 4 | Kayak Single 200m - KL2 | 2023 | Duisburg, GER | 42.071 |
| 5 | Men's K1 200m LTA | 2012 | Poznan, POL | 45.743 |
| 7 | Men's K1 200m LTA | 2013 | Duisburg, GER | 40.757 |
| 8 | Kayak Single 200m - KL2 | 2024 | Szeged, HUN | 44.98 |
| 8 | Men's K1 200m LTA | 2014 | Moscow, RUS | 41.925 |
| 10 | Kayak Single 200m - KL3 | 2015 | Milan, ITA | 42.434 |
| 11 | Va'a Single 200m - VL3 | 2019 | Szeged, HUN | 50.76 |
| 11 | Va'a Single 200m - VL3 | 2018 | Montemor-o-Velho, POR | 52.348 |
| 13 | Kayak Single 200m - KL3 | 2017 | Racice, CZE | 42.776 |
| 14 | Kayak Single 200m - KL3 | 2016 | Duisburg, GER | 43.288 |
| 19 | Va'a Single 200m - VL3 | 2023 | Duisburg, GER | 51.405 |
