Dr. Hugh Fisher began serious kayak training on Burnaby Lake, near his home, in 1974.
Fisher parlayed that into an Olympic gold medal with partner Alwyn Morris at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in a world record time of 3:24.22 in the K-2 1,000 metres. The pair also teamed up to win the bronze medal in the 500-m kayak final. Earlier,
Fisher and Morris won a silver medal in the 1,000-m at the 1982 world championships and a bronze at the worlds in the 500-m in ’83.
He was a Canadian champion 22 times and also a four-time world outrigger canoe racing champion.
Fisher is still actively racing and coaching. He won 10 gold medals and four silvers at the 2005 World Masters Games. He was fourth in solo kayak at the 2007 world masters championships. In 1985. he was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
