Gordon Walker and Lisa Carrington at the Halberg Awards. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Dame Lisa Carrington's long time coach Gordon Walker is taking over as head coach for Canoe Racing New Zealand.
Walker has been Dame Lisa's coach since 2010 and in that time she has become New Zealand's most successful Olympian.
Since 2016 he has also been in charge of the women's sprint programme and helped the K4 to World Championship success in 2023 and Olympic gold in 2024.
A CRNZ statement said Walker would oversee the delivery of their elite programme, working closely with athletes, coaches, and support staff to ensure CRNZ remains at the forefront of international canoe sprint.
Walker has won the Coach of the Year honour at the Halberg Awards six times and was named Coach of the Decade in 2020.
During their association Carrington won eight Olympic gold medals and 15 World Championship titles.
Coach Gordon Walker and Dame Lisa Carrington. Photo: Steve McArthur / @RowingCelebration / PHOTOSPORT
His appointment coincides with the departure of general manager of performance Nathan Luce.
Canadian born Luce joined CRNZ in 2017 and took over as performance manager in 2021.
Luce will remain in the role until mid-November before CRNZ appoints a new performance lead.
Lead coach of the New Zealand men's team Craig Mustard left the organisation earlier this year.
