Clint Robinson OAM - Australian
Clint Robinson - Member of the World Paddle Awards Academy
After competing around the World for two and a half decades, Clint Robinson has achieved a large amount in his career. He is in a very unique position by being an Olympic Champion in the K1 1000m and World Champion in 5 different paddlesports {sprint kayaking, SLS spec ski, ocean ski, SLS board and 6 man outrigger}, which is unmatched around the world.
At just 20 years of age Clint Robinson achieved what most athletes strive for their entire life, an Olympic gold Medal. The 1000m kayak singles race at the Barcelona Olympics left Australians on the edge of their seats and gave birth to a National Hero. A Queensland country boy with a dream who proved commitment and dedication could make reality and give his career a whole new meaning.
Clint was officially recognised for his sporting achievements and status as a champion Australian by being awarded an O.A.M of which he is justifiably proud.
Clint grew up in country Queensland just outside Maroochydore and still chooses to live on the Sunshine Coast. With his father as his primary coach, Clint’s sporting life was very much a family affair.
The Robinson family realised Clint’s athletic ability at an early age when at the age of 12 he represented Queensland in both Rugby League and Surf Lifesaving. It was at this tender age that Clint’s dream of an Olympic Gold became clear even though he did not know at that point which sport he would represent. A short time later Clint’s Rugby League career ended to focus on Surf Lifesaving.
Surf Lifesaving has provided Clint with many highlights throughout the years. In 1999, he eclipsed Ironman legend Trevor Hendy’s record and became the nation’s most successful Lifesaver. He was also awarded he Peter Lacey memorial award for the most outstanding competitor of the Championships.
In 2008 he took his career tally to 36 National gold medals which continue to grow. He has also been honoured with the captaincy of many Australian Surf Lifesaving Teams, which have contested the World Championships,Tri-Nations Series, and the Goodwill Games, which have all, won convincingly. Also complimenting these achievements are his 2 World Surf Tittles and 2 Ocean Ski World Titles.
Kayaking is Clint’s greatest love and can be seen by the incredible results he has achieved in winning 3 Olympic Medals and a World Title, while representing Australia at 5 Olympic Games, which are complimented by a staggering 32 Australian Championship gold medals to date.
To earn his birth as Australia’s 'greatest ever kayaking Champion' as he is known today, Clint collected a gold Medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, World Sprint Canoe Championship title in 1994, a Bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and a silver medal in the 2004 Athen’s Olympic Games. The list of his state, national and international achievements surrounding these titles is endless as his dedication and commitment to his country and his love for his sport.
Clint is ambitious and sees no path to success other than through extreme hard work and commitment. He has an intense love of his country and a passion for success. This passion gives him the ability to captivate any audience and his achievements in kayaking and his dedication to all he undertakes, have proven to be an inspiration to all that know him.
Honorary Memberships
Life Member of Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club
Instated into the Australian Surf Life Saving Hall of Fame
Instated into the International Life Saving Hall of Fame
Life Member of Sunshine Coast Kayak Club
Instated into the Australian Institute of Sport ‘Best of the Best’
Instated into the Sunshine Coast Sport Hall of Fame
Instated into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame
Instated into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame
Awarded the Order of Australia Medal O.A.M
Kayaking
Member Australian Olympic Team – Beijing 2008
Member Australian Olympic Team – Athens 2004 – silver medallist
Member Australian Olympic Team – Sydney 2000
Member Australian Olympic Team – Atlanta 1996 – bronze medallist
Member Australian Olympic Team – Barcelona 1992 – gold medallist
World Kayaking Champion – 1992 & 1994
Australian K1 1000m Champion – 11 times (2 x Junior, 9 x Open)
Australian K1 500m Champion – 5 times (1 x Junior, 4 x Open)
Surf Life Saving
World Single Ski Champion – 2002
World Board Race Champion – 2002
Surf Lifesaving Captain of Australian Team – 5 times (1999, 2001 x 2, 2002 & 2003)
Australian Single Ski Race Champion – 15 times (2 x Junior, 13 x Open)
Australian Board Race Champion – 4 times (1 x Cadet, 2 x Junior, 1 x Open)
Ocean Ski & Outrigger
Molokai 6 man Outrigger World Champion – 1992
Molokai Surf Ski World Champion – 3 times (2010, 2011 & 2013)