(2017 ☆ ARCHIVED) Gordon Walker - New Zealand

GORDON WALKER (New Zealand) - Nominee for the 2017 Foundation Award. Coach Gordon Walker in the middle. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services

• Sport(s): Sprint Kayaking; represents: New Zealand

When it comes to accomplished coaches, Gordon Walker will no doubt be towards the top of the list. With his star paddler being none other than two times Olympic champion and seven times World Champion Lisa Carrington, these achievements alone make him deserving of praise. However, Gordon is more than Lisa’s achievements, with his authenticity and expertise as a coach and leader having a huge impact on kayak racing in New Zealand as a whole.

Having begun his kayak-coaching career as an intern coach with Canoe Racing NZ in 2010, Gordon has since proven himself as one of the best coaches in the world. Whilst Lisa’s successes speak mountains for him as a coach and their amazing coach-athlete relationship, the turning point for Gordon, Lisa and team New Zealand came in the 2017 season where the country won four medals at the World Championships, with Lisa being in each boat. A feat the country has never achieved.

New Zealand’s commitment to a culture of excellence has seen the country go from strength to strength. Alongside numerous other coaches and support staff, Gordon has played an integral role in the success of the country. In the past season his coaching prowess, away from Lisa’s successes, has become especially evident.

Gordon’s ability to approach high-pressure situations with such a level head has been such an asset to Canoe Racing NZ. The way he is able to break down every bit of their training programs and races and identify areas of improvement, in collaboration with other members of their coaching team, is second to none. His willingness to think outside of the box to look for ways to improve is a big factor in why his athletes continue to improve.

In addition to coaching New Zealand athletes, Gordon also opens his door to many other paddlers and coaches from around the world. Athletes and coaches from Slovenia and Australia, for an example, have had the opportunity to train with and learn from Gordon and his athletes on numerous occasions. Whilst Gordon could opt to not share his expertise, he sees these meetings as an opportunity to further develop his knowledge and understanding of the sport and give his paddlers the option to do the same. 

With experience coaching other sports including cycling, running, swimming and multisport, Gordon’s ability to nurture and develop athletes to reach their full potential is second to none. As a result of his successes as a coach in addition to his supreme expertise, Gordon is indisputably deserving of a nomination for the 2017 Foundation Award.

This is a 2017 archived nominee. Voting has closed.