24 canoeing high performance P high performance (para) 0 Total investment 2016–17: $4,997,500 (high performance: $4,465,000; high performance — para $225,000; participation $200,000; other $107,500) ASC funding as a percentage of total income: 75% Canoeing achieved the lower end of its Rio Olympic targets with two bronze medals — one in slalom, (Jess Fox) and the other in sprint (men’s K2 1000m). In sprint the men’s K 1000 paddlers featured strongly, recording bronze in the K2 and two top-eight finishes in men’s K4 and K1. Other top-eight results came from the women’s K2 500 and men’s K1 200. The K2 500 crew is young and had under-23 success earlier in the cycle. Para-canoe exceeded its predictions of winning three medals as a new addition to the Paralympic program. Curtis McGrath won gold in a new boat class, Amanda Reynolds won silver and Susan Seipel won bronze. Jocelyn Neumueller also finished fifth after qualifying later in the cycle. Australian Canoeing restructured its high performance department post Rio, recruiting a new performance director but maintaining key coaches. The AIS has heavily supported the national centre of excellence performance support area with substantial joint funding from Australian Canoeing. Beyond the support provided at Pizzey Park and Penrith, other NIN program support has been provided in SA and WA, with individual athlete support in Tasmania and Victoria. In talent pathways, canoeing aims to create and source competitions closer to Australia, at a time that allows longer-term preparation for developing athletes. In slalom the domestic competition base is hampered by only having one world class facility in Penrith. Para-canoe has progressively strengthened, winning an increasing number of medals at the world level. Governance commentary Over the past 12 months, Australian Canoeing has gone through significant board renewal and continues to achieve a strong gender balance on the board. Further to this, the board has undertaken an evaluation and is working through the recommendations detailed in the report. Canoeing should continue to develop elements of their integrity framework, specifically education, training and development of key policies. 2016 benchmark event // Olympic Games medal target 2–4 actual gold 0 silver 0 bronze 2 total 2 2016 Paralympic benchmark event // Paralympic Games medal target 0–2 actual gold 1 silver 1 bronze 1 total 3