Kayla Imrie

Kayla Imrie is an Olympic level canoeist and all-around athlete. In 2015, Imrie along with her team won the K4 500 m at the World Cup round in Portugal and went on to make it to the final at the World Championships in Milan. Her team of champions coached by Rene Olsen includes Jaimee Lovett, Caitlin Ryan and Aimee Fisher, and are now based in Aukland, New Zealand.

However, Imrie was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand where she first began paddling at the age of 16 at the Mana Kayak Racing Club. She made her first Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro as a part of the New Zealand women’s K4 boat. Imrie’s natural talent for the sport at the Boot K4 position for her team has earned her the reputation of a champion. Her preferred racing distances include the 200 and 500 m events, and her favorite paddling course can be found in none other than Duisburg, Germany.

As an all-around athlete, Imrie was making her way in the world of sports even before concentrating on kayaking. With a background in surf-lifesaving, Imrie was the national under-19 ironwoman champion in her youth, and holds a biological science degree form the university of Aukland. Imrie continues to stretch the boundaries of what is possible as an athlete and also works as a part-time model and teacher aide.