The Butcher: Leading his own campaign to LA2028

With the LA2028 qualification cycle underway, Finn is once again at the helm of a high performance campaign he firmly leads himself.

“I’m the CEO,” Finn says simply. It’s a role he has grown into over more than a decade on the international stage, learning not just how to compete, but how to build and steer a world-class team around him.

Leading from the front

Finn’s approach is grounded in ownership. He wants to understand every aspect of his preparation—why he trains a certain way, how decisions are made, and how each piece contributes to performance on race day.

“At the end of the day, I’m the one in the boat,” he says. “If I don’t feel in control or understand what I’m doing, that shows on the water.”

That mindset has been shaped over time, from early exposure to high performance environments alongside athletes like Luuka Jones, to refining his leadership style within the high performance system. Trust is central, but so is curiosity.

The COO and CFO: Aaron Osborne

Working alongside Finn is head coach Aaron Osborne, who both describe as the “COO and CFO” of the campaign. Aaron coordinates the Athlete Performance Support (APS) team, manages logistics and budget, and helps translate specialist input into daily decisions.

His role is part strategist, part facilitator.

“Finn is very experienced, he knows what he wants,” Aaron says. “My job is to present the options and get him to the point where he can choose the path forward.”

With up to 170 days a year spent travelling together, Aaron also navigates the realities of the sport, balancing white water and flat water training, adapting to rapidly changing environmental conditions, and weaving together input from multiple experts.

Fuelling performance

One of those experts is Performance Nutritionist Christel Dunshea-Mooij who has supported Finn since 2020, helping refine a highly individualised fuelling approach to meet the demands of kayak cross.

In a sport defined by short, explosive efforts, power is critical, but so too is decision making. That means fuelling not just for strength and recovery, but for cognitive performance on the water.

A key focus has been consistency, ensuring Finn gets the right nutrients before, during and after training and racing, even across a demanding global travel schedule.

Regular dietary recording and reviews help track this, particularly when he’s on the road.

“Finn understands what his body needs, but we still challenge and refine,” Christel notes. “Through our work we analyse his intake against training loads, with a particular focus on nutrient timing and adequate protein and carbohydrate intake.”

Finn plays an active role in the process. He frequently shares photos of meals via WhatsApp, allowing for real-time feedback and adjustments, an approach that supports both accountability and agility.

Travel adds another layer of complexity. Canoe slalom athletes often compete independently around the world, so building the skills to prepare food themselves is essential.

“Finn has embraced that independence, maintaining control over his fuelling while also prioritising immune health to withstand the rigours of constant movement,” says Christel.

Performance Life providing balance

Since 2020, Performance Life coach Christine Arthur has worked alongside Finn as his campaign has evolved, from balancing study and part-time work early on, to navigating life as an Olympic champion with an eye on the future.

Her role has expanded over time, now supporting not just Finn but also his fiancée, with a focus on life beyond sport.

“We are working together as they build skills in areas such as financial planning and entrepreneurship, ensuring long-term sustainability beyond the high performance environment,” says Christine.

When Finn began signalling an interest in CAD and design, Christine was able to facilitate an introduction to HPSNZ’s Goldmine Innovation team.

Innovation on the water

That introduction sparked a collaboration combining performance gains with personal passion. Working with HPSNZ engineer Bex Cider, Finn explored the use of 3D scanning technology to better understand his boats.

The project involved scanning the full hull to analyse subtle differences between boats, as well as mapping internal space to refine components like footplates, details that can influence performance at the highest level.

“Finn brought great enthusiasm to the project,” says Bex. “His curiosity and willingness to get involved made a real difference to the quality of the data we collected.”

The work also connected with Finn’s background in industrial design study and his growing interest in engineering processes, creating a crossover between performance and personal development.

A team built on trust

As qualification for LA2028 ramps up, through a demanding schedule of World Cups and World Championships, Finn’s campaign reflects a modern high performance model: athlete-led, expert-supported, and deeply collaborative.

Along with Christel, Chris and the Goldmine Innovation team, Finn’s HPSNZ support group also includes S&C Simon Chatterton, PTA’s Leaha Dickey and Alex Anastasiou and Physiotherapist Jane Knobloch.

“It’s a passionate team,” he says. “Everyone wants to help you get better.”

With Finn firmly in the driver’s seat, and a trusted team behind him, the next chapter is already underway.