Hank McGregor - South African

Hank McGregor - Member of the World Paddle Awards Academy

Hank McGregor is one of the most successful Canoe Marathon paddlers of all time, with the South African having a total of 10 World Championship gold medals to his name. He is also one of the most multi-talented and diverse athletes across all paddlesports, with him being a multiple South African River Marathon champion, Surf Ski champion, and the winner of numerous international Ocean Ski races.

Hank has been paddling competitively, and has been winning, for over 20 years with his passion for the sport and pursuit of excellence helping drive his results. With so many outstanding results, one of his most memorable was at the 2017 World Canoe Marathon Championships in South Africa. In front of a home crowd, Hank secured victories in the K1 and K2 events (with Jasper Mocke), with performances that are sure to inspire the next generation of paddlers.

As the only person to be nominated for the WPA Sportsman of the Year award for four years in a row (Winning in 2014), Hank was awarded the 2017 WPA Academy award and invited to join the Academy, an honour he excitedly accepted.

“When I was awarded the male sportsman world paddler of the year for 2014 I was really humbled and honoured that so many people had acknowledged my achievements of the past and I felt this was something special in the World of Paddle Sports. Now to become a member of this same Academy is the next level of recognition as it’s made up of legends of the different disciplines of the sport of paddling and I hope I can contribute to the great cause of spreading the word of paddling world wide.”

Fittingly, Hank and his wife Pippa are committed to growing the sport in their home country. Through their Euro Steel McGregor Series, they aim to encourage new and young participants into the sport and give current paddlers the opportunity to participate in a fun and inclusive event. The event is aimed at getting paddlers into their boats and paddling in the early season, to have some fun events to participate in and to encourage new and young participants into the sport and into the wonderful world of marathon racing.