Canoe Slalom New Zealand is proud to announce that Dutch Olympian Martina Wegman will join the team as a Performance Pathways Coach for 2025. A seasoned athlete and passionate advocate for female paddlers, Martina brings her extensive international experience to support the growth of Canoe Slalom New Zealand’s (CSNZ) performance pathways.

Martina represented the Netherlands in Canoe Slalom at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games and has been a consistent force on the international circuit. Taking a year out from international competition in 2025, Martina is eager to channel her knowledge and skills into developing the next generation of athletes — with a particular focus on supporting female paddlers.

Her firsthand understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level, combined with her enthusiasm for empowering young athletes, will be an invaluable asset to CSNZ’s pathway initiatives. Martina’s appointment underscores CSNZ’s ongoing commitment to increasing female representation in coaching and leadership roles.

Applications for the 2025 Performance Pathway program will open soon, with further details to follow.

Quote from Martina:

“Taking time away from international racing gives me an exciting opportunity to focus on supporting young paddlers. I’m passionate about helping more athletes build confidence and develop the skills they need to succeed — both on and off the water. I’m thrilled to be part of CSNZ’s vision to grow the performance pathway and nurture the next wave of talent.”

Article added: Thursday 20 March 2025