Riley Fitzsimmons

National Team: Olympic / Senior / Under 23

DOB: 27/07/1996
Hometown: Avoca Beach, New South Wales
Club: Avoca Kayak Club
Coaches: Jimmy Owens, Jake Michael.
Institute / Academy: NSWIS
Nicknames: Rizz, Fitz, Rizza.

  • How did you get into paddling?
    I started paddling in 2012 after I began surf ski paddling for my surf club, Avoca. I wanted to improve my surf ski skills and I’ve always had dreams of going to the Olympics and kayaking was my pathway I wanted to follow to get there.
  • What has been your biggest accomplishment in the sport so far?
    The 4th place at the Olympic games was pretty special to me, being my first Olympics, but winning the K4 1000m world title in 2017 was also an epic moment in my career. I hope I can achieve a lot more in the coming years.
  • What keeps you busy outside of paddling? What is your current occupation and/or university degree?
    I’m currently a third year apprentice in carpentry and construction, so that and surfing keeps me busy when I’m not sitting in a kayak.
  • Who has been the greatest influence on your career?
    My greatest influence would be Lachlan Tame. He played a major role in getting me to try kayaking and pretty much taught me how to paddle. I’ve got some great memories early in my career starting out paddling on Avoca Lake with him, right through to making our first Olympic team together.
  • How would your best friend describe you?
    Well I’d hope they’d say nice things! They’d probably say I’m super motivated and determined about my sport and that I’m good fun when I’m away from my sport.
  • Do you have any superstitions before a race?
    Nothing too crazy, I just like to listen to fun old classic songs before a race, like the ones you’d sing at a karaoke bar.
  • What is your favourite course to paddle on?
    That’s a tough one. I’ve been to some amazing courses but I think I would have to say Milano in Italy is probably my favourite, the water was so blue and the mountains surrounding the course were amazing.
  • Previous National Teams:
    Junior Australian team (2013,2014), Under23 Australian team (2015,2017), Senior Australian team (2015,2016,2017,2018).

Instagram: @rileyfitzz


International Results 

2019
5th (K2 1000) ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships (Szeged, HUN)
1st (K4 500) ICF U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships (Pitesti, ROM)
6th (K2 1000) ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
2nd (K2 500) ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup 1 (Poznan, POL)
6th (K2 1000) ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup 1 (Poznan, POL)

2018
4th (K2 1000) ICF World Championships (Montemor, POR)
4th (K4 500) ICF World Championships (Montemor, POR)
5th (K2 1000) ICF World Cup 1 (Szeged, HUN)
5th (K2 500) ICF World Cup 1 (Szeged, HUN)
3rd (K2 1000) ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
3rd (K2 500) ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)

2017
1st (K4 1000) ICF World Championships (Racice, CZE)
3rd (K2 1000) ICF U23 World Championships (Pitesti, ROU)

2016
4th (K4 1000) – Olympic Games (Rio, Brazil)
1st (K4 1000) ICF World Cup 1 (Duisburg, GER)
3rd (K4 1000) ICF World Cup 2 (Racice, CZE)
2nd (K2 1000) ICF World Cup 3 (Montemor-0-Velho, POR)

2015
4th (K4 1000) – ICF World Championships (Milan, ITA)
1st (K2 1000) – ICF U23 World Championships (Montemor-0-Velho, POR)
4th (K4 1000) – ICF U23 World Championships (Montemor-0-Velho, POR)
5th (K2 1000) – ICF World Cup 1 (Montemor-o-Velho, POR)
5th (K4 1000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
9th (K4 200) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
10th (K2 1000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
2nd (K4 1000) – ICF World Cup 3 (Copenhagen, DEN)

2014
3rd (K4 1000) – ICF Junior World Championships (Szeged, HUN)
7th (K2 1000) – ICF Junior World Championships (Szeged, HUN)

2013
5th (K4 1000) – ICF Junior World Championships (Niagara, CAN)

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