OTTAWA, ON (May 16, 2017) — Canoe Kayak Canada is pleased to name Marc Creamer as its Paracanoe Coach and Team Manager. Creamer supported Canada’s first ever Paralympic Team at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games where the sport made its debut. He will play a key role in growing the National Paracanoe program and preparing the team for success at the 2020 Paralympic Games and beyond.

“Marc has an excellent background in coaching both Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” said Graham Barton, Chief Technical Officer of Canoe Kayak Canada. “He brings experience and exceptional technical and leadership skills that are critical to the development of our Para Canoe Program. Our goal is to have multiple finalists in Tokyo and I believe Marc has the skills to make that happen.”

Creamer was Head Coach at the Pointe-Claire Canoe Club. He was Christine Gauthier’s coach leading into the Rio Olympic Games.  Gauthier has won five World Championships gold medals, two silvers and a bronze. Last year, she placed fourth at the Paralympic Games and won multiple medals at the Invictus Games. Creamer was Canada’s Team Leader in Rio.

“I see so much potential and possibility,” said Creamer. “I’m extremely passionate about para-sport and I’m just excited for what’s ahead.”

He is a former leader of Canoe Kayak Canada’s Coaches Technical Committee and has demonstrated his commitment to advancing coaching as a profession. He also sat on CKC’s Sprint Racing Council and High Performance Committee as Coaches’ Representative.

Canada has been an international leader in developing Paracanoe and steering the sport towards Paralympic inclusion. The sport debuted last year with kayak events and there is potential for Va’a canoe events to be included in 2020 as the sport continues to develop.

About Canoe Kayak Canada

Canoe Kayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada. Paddling has been one of Canada’s top performing summer sports having won an impressive count of 24 Olympic medals. Canoe Kayak Canada is a member-based organization which includes an intricate network of clubs as well as provincial, territorial and divisional paddling associations. Elite National Team athletes proudly represent Canada at various competitions around the globe – most notably the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, ICF World Cups as well as Junior, Under 23 and Senior World Championships. Follow Canoe Kayak Canada on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.