CRNZ Sports and Recognition Awards

The Canoe Racing New Zealand Sports and Recognition Awards recognise annual and long-term excellence in performance, coaching, service and contribution to the sport.

This is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate of the outstanding achievements and the valuable contributions made by Canoe Racing NZ club members, both domestically and internationally.

The following Awards are presented annually:

Female Canoe Sprint Athlete of the Year

Male Canoe Sprint Athlete of the Year

Ocean Ski Athlete of the Year

Marathon Athlete of the Year

Junior (18&U) Athlete of the Year

23&U Athlete of the Paddler

Masters Athlete of the Year

Team of the Year

Coach of the Year

Official of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Club of the Year

Paddler.nz Spirit of Paddling Award

Recognition Awards

Outstanding Service Award

Excellence Awards

2025 CRNZ Sport and Recognition Awards

Awards Ceremony- Saturday 31st January 2026, Rotorua

The 2025 CRNZ Sport and Recognition Awards will be held on Saturday 31st January at Rydges Hotel in Rotorua, following the days racing at the Tikitapu 2 canoe sprint event.

Nominations will open 1st November via an online form.
More info to come….

2024 Award Winners

Female Canoe Sprint Paddler of the Year – Lisa Carrington
Male Canoe Sprint Paddler of the Year – Peter Cowan
Marathon Paddler of the Year – Emma Kemp
Ocean Ski Athlete of the Year – Danielle Richards
Junior (18&U) Athlete of the Year – Jacqueline Kennedy
23&U Athlete of the Year – Olivia Brett
Masters Paddler of the Year – Garth Spencer
Team of the Year – NZ Womens K4 -Lisa Carrington, Alicia Hoskin, Tara Vaughan, Olivia Brett
Coach of the Year – Gavin Elmiger
Official of the Year – Matt Warren
Volunteer of the Year – Florin and Florina Pirnea
Club of the Year – Hawkes Bay Racing Club
Spirit of Paddling – Paul Randall