After 9 years in New Zealand coaching Luuka Jones and CSNZ’s High Performance athletes, Campbell Walsh is returning to British Canoeing, taking up a new opportunity to continue his High Performance coaching journey.

Campbell has had a significant influence on the sport over the years helping guide Luuka to an Olympic silver medal at Rio 2016 and numerous other top 10 World Championships/Cups finishes.  His attention to detail and genuine love for the sport of slalom has made him a well respected coach with athletes and clubs throughout the country.  The former full-time Great Britain canoe slalom athlete will return to London and the Olympic course at Lee Valley, preparing its athletes for Paris 2024.

The avid road cyclist, mountain biker, runner, and adventure racer calls New Zealand home so we look forward to his visits and updates in the near future.  “Whilst his departure is a loss to our programme, we know this is a great career opportunity for Campbell to continue to develop his coaching pedigree within the elite athlete environment in a well resourced program which he was once a part of as an athlete himself” says GM Pandora Fruean.

"As I write this, I am in La Seu D'Urgell, Spain, for my last World Cup event with the New Zealand team. As well as enjoying this week, it brings back great memories of a fantastic World Championship campaign in 2019 when we spent many weeks training here in La Seu ahead of the race. That event finished with Luuka taking 3rd place in K1, only 0.5s from being World Champion.

I began working as a coach with Luuka in 2013. Having been a full-time athlete all my adult life up to that point, it was my first proper job! Whilst Luuka developed as an athlete, I also developed as a coach. It was very much a shared journey of learning together. And a journey that I reflect on with great pride.

I've made great friends within the NZ slalom team, who I will miss. It's very reassuring to know that I will still see a lot of them next year when they come to my new home of Lee Valley for the 2023 World Championships. I might even have a spare bed available for someone to come stay". 🙂

Until Campbell’s departure in October he will continue to support Performance Pathways athletes whilst CSNZ work on finding a suitable replacement for the program.

Article added: Wednesday 31 August 2022