We are raising money in memory of Johnny to support the next generation of young Scottish Slalom paddlers.
Donations can be made using this link
To date, the Johnny Brown memorial fund stands at £5,500.
As Johnny would have wanted, the fund will be used to benefit paddlers who are just starting out on their Canoe Slalom journey to those who are racing for GB team places and everyone in between. Johnny loved seeing paddlers progress not only in Canoe Slalom but in all aspects of their lives through the life skills they learn through training and racing locally, at Grandtully and Pinkston and also what was the highlight of the year for Johnny, taking a trip to paddle in France and other European countries. He loved the camaraderie and collaborative working when taking groups of paddlers and coaches and always wanted to give the paddlers he coached the opportunity to achieve their potential.
Johnny was part of the backbone of Canoe Slalom in Scotland from the 1980s through to 2020. He coached paddlers from their very first go on the water through to those aiming to compete at the Olympics.
Starting at Wallace High then Denny High and through CR Cats, Johnny gave hundreds of young people the chance to get on the water, build confidence, and broaden their horizons. He organised training camps, coached at slalom events across the UK, and of course, the much-loved summer trips to France – paddling beautiful rivers and slalom sites in the sunshine. France was the place he always dreamed of retiring to, and it brought him such joy to share it with his paddlers.
Johnny loved coaching youngsters. Nothing made him happier than seeing children of all ages and abilities pick up new skills, grow in confidence, and flourish on the water.
He never looked for the limelight. His greatest reward was seeing juniors grow and reach their potential. Even after 30 years of coaching, and with some of his paddlers going on to become Olympians, his primary focus was always the juniors.
In 2012, he was honoured as an Olympic torchbearer for his dedication to the sport. In 2015, he received the British Canoeing Ed Ecclestone Award for his selfless commitment to coaching and volunteering. He inspired not just paddlers but fellow coaches too.
Johnny will be deeply missed. We hope to give the next generation of juniors the same chances he gave to so many.
CR CATS Canoe Club 