Teen Will Riddington, son of ironman Craig Riddington, has new Olympic kayaking dream

It’s a name synonymous with surf life saving but this Next Gen athlete is hoping it’s also on an Olympic start list by the Brisbane 2032 Games - or even LA in 2028 in a different sport.

Young paddler Will Riddington. Picture: JGRImages/Paddle Australia

It’s a name synonymous with surf life saving but this next generation athlete is hoping it’s also on an Olympic start list by the Brisbane 2032 Games - or even LA in 2028.

Will Riddington is a chip off the old block in terms of looks and his love of sport.

But the son of famous surf life saving ironman Craig Riddington and grandson of multiple Australian champion Max is making his own way in sport.

A talented ski paddle in surf life saving, the 17-year-old from Sydney’s northern beaches has recently decided to give kayaking a serious tilt as he chases his first selection on an Australian team.

And the teen turned plenty of heads with his racing at the Paddle Australia canoe sprint GP 11 regatta at Penrith on the weekend.

Despite being ill in the lead-up, Riddington still made waves, racing onto the podium in the U18 K1 1000 and also the K2 race at the regatta in western Sydney.

“I did nationals last year, it was my first regatta and I didn’t win anything, but I really liked it,’’ Riddington said.

Young paddler Will Riddington competing at Penrith.

In the wake of his first foray into competition, the Seaforth teenager decided to spent more time in his kayak to follow his dream of one day representing Australia in the Olympic arena and is the perfect age for a crack at making the Brisbane 2032 Olympic team.

“I love sport and the Olympics have always been a thing I have dreamt of,’’ Riddington said.

“The goal is to make the Australian junior team and see what happens from there.

Craig Riddington, wife Rebecca, Willen, two weeks old, and brother Nathaniel, 3,

Craig Riddington in 1989

Riddington’s father was one of the most popular ironmen in the heyday of the sport and when it came to toughness, there were few tougher.

In 1989 Craig Riddington was the only swimmer to finish the surf race at the Australian surf life saving championships due to cyclone conditions on the Gold Coast.

He was also a crowd favourite and one of the most high profile names in the sport in the 90s, renowned for his swimming and body surfing skills.

The Australian sprint championships are at Penrith from March 12 with open, under 23 and juniors teams to be named in the wake of the regatta.

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Originally published as Teen Will Riddington, son of ironman Craig Riddington, has new Olympic kayaking dream