Manuel Busto Fernández - Spanish
10-time kayak marathon World Champion (6 in singles, 4 in doubles), 4-time European Champion, a true paddlesports legend.
Organisation | The Academy
A unique association of the greatest living sporting legends and other figureheads, the Academy embraces the principles of using sport to help bring positive social change and unite the different paddlesport disciplines and cultures. Academy members offer their time, expertise and passion to support the work of WPA year round, and share a belief in the power of sport to break down barriers, build bridges, and bring the paddling community together, to improve the lives of people and communities around the world.
Marie Coetzee Nieman - South African
Mother of deceased kayak/raft explorer Hendri Coetzee and Founder/Member of the Hendri Coetzee Trust.
Ole Torp - Danish
As the founder of Dansprint, Ole is dedicated to ensuring paddlers are given all of the possible tools to succeed.
Pam Boteler - American
President of WomenCAN International (advocate for women's canoeing) and an exceptional 10-year career in canoe sprint.
Richard Fox - British / Australian
Performance Director at Australian Canoeing and one of the greatest athletes in kayak slalom history with 10 World Championships titles.
Steve West - Australian / British
Steve was elected into The Academy by its existing members on the 15th March 2015.
Sue Natoli - Australian
For two decades, Sue Natoli has been actively involved in local, national and international Canoe Slalom events.
Susanne Gunnarsson - Swedish
Susanne Gunnarsson is a three time Olympic medalist turned well respected coach.
Tamas Buday Sr - Hungary
In a career that spans more than four decades, Tamas Buday Sr. has devoted his life to sprint canoeing as an athlete, coach and mentor.