Canoe Kayak Canada has boosted its Canoe Sprint high-performance team with the appointment of Paul Wycherley.
Hailing from Great Britain, Wycherley will take on the role as Canada’s men’s national team kayak coach.
Wycherley will be based at the Montreal Training Centre where he will work closely with national team head coach Anders Gustafsson and women’s kayak coach Chad Brooks.
The CKC say Wycherley will share responsibility for developing sprint kayak athletes into world-class performers in the build-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
He is also expected to prioritise the mental wellness of each athlete in the programme.
“We are excited to have Paul join our coaching staff,” CKC’s Chief Technical Officer Ian Mortimer told Canoe Kayak Canada.
“His experience as an athlete, coach and other professional roles brings a great deal of value to our team.
“As we embark on the four-year push towards Los Angeles, our men’s kayak athletes will have a dynamic leader who matches their passion for hard work, and love for the sport.”
As a 30-time national champion in kayak 500m and 1000m distances, Wycherley brings a wealth of paddling experience.
Wycherley also holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of the English Channel and Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
He also won the K1 junior Canoe Marathon world title in 2004 and competed at the senior World Championship level from 2004 to 2012.
In 2011, he defeated the Beijing 2008 Olympic champion Tim Brabants to represent Great Britain in the K1 1000m event.
Wycherley recently held the position of head coach at the False Creek Sprint Canoe Club where he coached several athletes of all ages to podium finishes at the CKC Sprint Nationals in 2024.
“I am incredibly honoured and excited to step into this coaching role,” said Wycherley.
“This opportunity represents a personal milestone and a chance to contribute to the continued success and growth of Canadian kayaking on the international stage."
Canada has a rich history in Canoe Sprint having achieved plenty of success on the world and Olympic stages.
“I look forward to working with the talented athletes and staff to build on the solid foundation already in place,” added Wycherley.
“Together, I believe we can achieve great things while fostering a culture of excellence, dedication, and mutual respect.”
Photos by Canoe Kayak Canada and Canoe Photography
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