(2016 ☆ ARCHIVED) Tim Cornish - South Africa

TIM CORNISH (South Africa) – 2016 Nominee for the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Award.

Born: 1952; Discipines: Canoe Sprint, Canoe Marathon; Represents: South Africa.

It is very seldom that a top international paddler becomes a top international administrator but Tim Cornish has done just that. His dedication to the sport, over a long period, is without parallel.

Tim began his canoeing career in 1968 when he resided in England. He competed for Great Britain as a marathon and sprint paddler from 1971 to 1980, winning many major international races, including the iconic Sella Descent in Spain. In 1981 he relocated to South Africa.

He represented South Africa as a marathon paddler in the early 1980’s and competed for the Natal province in both marathon and sprints from 1982 to 1996. Throughout his competitive career he won 4 Dusi Canoe Marathons as well as a multitude of local marathon races.

Tim began his contribution to canoeing administration in 1983 at club, union, and national level. He was president of South African Canoeing from 1994 to 2002, and president of the Confederation of African Canoeing (CAC) and an ICF Board member from 2002 to 2007. During his tenure as CAC president, he worked tirelessly to establish the newly formed confederation, increasing the number of African ICF member nations from 12 to 24.

Tim’s long term commitment to the sport is manifested by the number of his current positions. He presently holds the following;

• Chairman of the Kwazulu Natal Canoe Union.
• Member of the board of Canoeing South Africa.
• Board member for Africa on the ICF.
• Technical advisor to the ICF marathon committee.
• ICF Official for marathon, sprints and slalom.
• Vice President and honorary life member of the Confederation of African Canoeing.
• Honorary life member of the Kwazulu Canoe Union.
• Honorary Life member of Canoeing South Africa.
• He was the chief official at the recent Africa Sprint Championships.

Tim has devoted his life to canoeing. He is an inspiration to many and an example of selfless dedication to the sport.

This is a 2016 archived nominee. Voting has closed.