4-Time Gold Medalist Declan Farmer Tries New Paralympic Sport

Declan Farmer has never been afraid of a challenge, but his latest goal might be his boldest yet: competing in the Paralympics in both a winter and summer sport.

The four-time Paralympic gold medalist in Para ice hockey made his Para canoe World Cup debut in Montreal this July after just one month of training. For an athlete who's been called the Most Valuable Player at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics and just won an ESPY Award, starting over from scratch required serious humility.

"I've been doing the same sport for 20 years so it's been a humbling experience to do something new and come last in the race," Farmer told the International Canoe Federation after his first competition. "I think this week of racing is about gaining experience so it's fun."

The inspiration came from teammate Jack Wallace, who picked up Para canoe a few years ago while still playing hockey. Farmer noticed Wallace's hockey game actually improved from the cross-training, which sparked his curiosity.

Now 28, Farmer is targeting qualification for the LA28 Paralympic Games, where Para canoe will be held on home soil. The transition demands a completely different mindset than what made him a four-time Paralympic champion on ice.

In Para canoe, races last just 40 to 45 seconds. There's no team to back you up and no time to recover from mistakes like in hockey's longer games. Every stroke has to be perfect.

Why This Inspires

What makes Farmer's journey remarkable isn't just his athletic talent. It's his willingness to be a beginner again at the peak of his career.

After two decades of excellence and four Paralympic golds, he could have retired comfortably. Instead, he chose to start at the bottom in a new sport, finishing last in races and learning from scratch. That kind of courage to embrace failure on the path to a new dream is what separates good athletes from great ones.

Farmer sees the similarities too. The off-water training uses many of the same muscles as off-ice hockey preparation. The mental preparation and discipline translate directly from one sport to another.

"I'm not too sure what the future looks like, but the goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles for sure," Farmer said. "I've got a long way to go, but if I keep improving, then I'm happy."

With just over two years until LA28, Farmer is proving that it's never too late to chase a new dream, even when you're already at the top.