Gordon Walker is one of New Zealand's most celebrated high-performance coaches, renowned for his remarkable partnership with Olympic legend Dame Lisa Carrington. As Technical Director and Women's Lead Coach at Canoe Racing New Zealand (CRNZ), Gordon has been instrumental in shaping New Zealand's global dominance in canoe sprint.
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Auckland, Gordon's early life at Southwell Boarding School and Kings College ignited his passion for sport. Initially aspiring to become a professional cyclist, a serious accident redirected his ambitions towards coaching, leading him to pursue a sports science degree at the University of Auckland. This academic foundation provided Gordon with the scientific approach that became central to his coaching philosophy.
Gordon’s early coaching career was diverse, involving athletes from various disciplines—cycling, triathlon, running, mountain biking, and even adventure races like the Marathon des Sables and swimming the English Channel. Each experience deepened his understanding of athlete development, performance dynamics, and goal-oriented planning.
A pivotal personal milestone came with Gordon's success in multisport racing, notably winning New Zealand's iconic Coast to Coast event three times (2007, 2009, 2010). His own competitive journey sharpened his insights into high-performance sport, laying the foundation for his transition into elite-level coaching.
Joining Canoe Racing New Zealand (CRNZ) in 2010, initially as an intern, Gordon quickly demonstrated his innovative thinking and willingness to challenge conventional methods. His scientific and structured approach significantly professionalised the sport's training regimes. In 2011, Gordon joined High-Performance Sport New Zealand’s Coach Accelerator Programme, rapidly expanding his knowledge alongside esteemed peers from various sports.
Gordon’s coaching breakthrough came with Lisa Carrington, then an emerging athlete from Ohope Beach. Their partnership flourished, revolutionising New Zealand canoe sprint. Together, they achieved unprecedented global dominance, winning multiple Olympic and World Championship medals. Gordon's coaching accolades include an unparalleled six Halberg Coach of the Year awards (2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, 2024, 2025) and the prestigious Coach of the Decade honour in 2021.
Under his leadership, the New Zealand women’s K4 squad secured their historic first-ever World Championship gold in 2023 and Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games. Gordon continues to inspire the sporting community with his innovative methods, tenacity, and profound dedication to athlete welfare and success. His story exemplifies the power of adaptability, learning, and unrelenting pursuit of excellence, making him an iconic figure in New Zealand sport.
