During the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the paracanoe team won eight medals, including four golds. It was the discipline’s biggest ever haul at a Games.
Following the team’s return from the Vaires-sur-Marne nautical stadium, we chatted with Chris Furber, the Performance Director for Canoe Sprint and paracanoe.
Below he gives his reflections.
“[I am] absolutely delighted by the performance of the team to win the most amount of medals ever won by a paracanoe team.
“Having the biggest ever team there was a brilliant outcome and to win the most medals was fantastic.
“I was just really proud the way the team worked, the team functioned well together, [how] the team represented itself.
“It’s tough when you are right at the back end of a competition [Paralympic Games].
“We had to wait a long time. We were out of the country when the [Paris] opening ceremony was on, training in Szeged [Hungary].
“You’re waiting and waiting, seeing all these medals coming in, it can be easy for a team to lose momentum and find it harder to get the performances out.
“It was two to three very intense days of competition to really produce their best was really satisfying.”
Team behind the team
“It’s a massive effort. It’s not just the nine of us accredited for the Games, it’s the program managers, it’s the logistics, the communications staff, it’s everyone that operates in the background.
“It’s the coaches back in Nottingham who check and challenge.
“It’s the coaches who are delivering on the ground… so when they deliver a session, or a training programme, to an athlete, there’s confidence that it’s the right thing for those athletes to do.
“It’s one thing I’ve tried to work really hard on is bringing the team together, and everyone feeling it’s a safe space to challenge each other and to grow…
“If you don’t understand something, something isn’t working out, say that and seek help from your teammates.
Racing in Paris
“On the heats day, different races came thick and fast, people just had to respond and make sure everyone was supported as they went on to the water and came off the water.
“In a two-hour period we had 13 races. That’s credit to the team.
“The staff and the team were outstanding. It’s a long time away from home, a big sacrifice.
“You don’t get to be the person to be on the top step of the podium at the end of the day, everyone gave it their all.
“The spirit, energy and positivity in the camp was a credit to everyone on that team.
“What is so impressive about the paracanoe team’s performances for the third games in a row they’ve topped the medals table and dominated things.
“Staying at the top is the hardest thing to do because everyone is coming at you.
“They can see what you’re doing and close the gap.
“Staying ahead is the hardest possible thing.
“I was so impressed with the team’s ability and desire to dominate again and be the best, to be innovative and try new things out.”
Charlotte Henshaw MBE became British paracanoeing’s first-ever double Paralympic champion, in Paris.
Laura Sugar MBE and Emma Wiggs MBE both retained their titles, with Emma also winning a silver medal in the KL2. Hope Gordon also won a sensational silver medal in the VL3.
Dave Phillipson won a silver in KL2, his first Paralympic medal in five Games, while Jack Eyers, on his debut, won silver in the VL3.
Robert Oliver was just 0.14 off a bronze medal in the KL3, while Jeanette Chippington OBE finished an agonising fourth in the women’s VL2 final.
Jeanette also battled valiantly in the women’s KL1 final, finishing seventh, to round off her eighth Paralympic Games.
Ed Clifton marked his Paralympic Games paracanoeing debut with an appearance in the men’s VL2 final.
He tackled the tough conditions with everything he had and came seventh at the Vaires-sur-marne Stadium.
Now, it’s your turn…
If you think paracanoe might be something for you then check out our Paralympic summer programme.
The programme will provide a fun opportunity to learn paddling skills and develop your understanding of paracanoe.
Once you complete the course, we’ll continue to coach you at Nottingham or we will introduce you to your nearest club.