VICTORIA—Alberta’s Lisa Mensink will lead Canada’s high-powered Para triathlon program on the road to the LA 2028 Paralympic Games and beyond.

The Calgary-based, 2008 Olympian succeeds Carolyn Murray at the helm of Triathlon Canada’s Paralympic program.

Mensink is no stranger to Canada’s Para triathlon circles. She is the organization’s current Paralympic Pathway Coach and over the last two years has led programs to grow Para triathlon nationally while assisting Murray through support coaching to national team athletes at training camps and international events including the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

“Carolyn’s mentorship provided me the time and space to truly find my place in the world of Para-triathlon,” said Mensink. “Carolyn’s unwavering dedication and professional approach to coaching has elevated Para triathlon in Canada and has garnered the respect and attention it deserves. Being a part of the support team, while working with this talented group of athletes in the lead up and at the Paris Paralympic Games, solidified my desire to pursue this exciting opportunity.”

Coaching has been in Mensink’s blood since she wrapped up a nine-year racing career competing at the elite level in triathlon on Canada’s Development Team (2006) and for the Netherlands National Team (2007-2015) including the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

She first started coaching age group triathletes in the pool while assistant coaching with the Kronos Triathlon Club in the Stampede City. From there, Mensink honed her skills as head performance coach with Kronos, a role she has held since 2014. Mensink gained her first multisport games coaching experience with the lead coach and managerial roles for Team Alberta at the Canada Summer Games and Western Canada Summer Games (2017, 2019, 2022).

“Coaching young athletes at the club level over the last decade has given me the experience required to build and nurture a strong development program,” added Mensink. “This, in combination with my recent role working with Carolyn and the Paralympic program, has provided a deep understanding of what it takes to elevate athletes and programs to the next level. I’m excited to bring this knowledge and strategic insight to my new role and to continue to support athletes in achieving their performance goals domestically and internationally.”

“As an elite coach and athlete with a holistic experience at all levels of high-performance triathlon, Lisa is positioned perfectly to lead the Para triathlon program into LA 2028. With her extensive experience working with our athletes, the triathlon community and Canadian sport system partners, her transition will be seamless and will keep the momentum in the program moving in the right direction” said Phil Dunne, chief executive officer of Triathlon Canada, who added that it was important to ensure continuity in the program that builds on the tradition of excellence that has been established. “Lisa is committed to developing an athlete-centred program that is both focused on winning well, and on growing across the country.”

Mensink inherits a medal-winning Para triathlon program, highlighted last year with Leanne Taylor (Winnipeg) winning a Paralympic bronze medal, Stefan Daniel (Calgary) capturing his sixth World Triathlon Para Championship title and two-time Paralympian Kamylle Frenette (Dieppe, N.B.) regularly celebrating international podiums.

“My immediate goal is to build on this momentum created at both the grassroots level and on what the national team athletes have achieved internationally,” added Mensink. “Long term, I aim to continue to support a sustainable growth plan for Para triathlon in Canada, ensuring that we are not only developing future Paralympians but also building a legacy that will continue well into the future.”

Mensink will officially begin her role in the new year, with her home base being in Alberta.

Triathlon Canada is the governing body of the sport in the country. Triathlon Canada’s more than 22,000 members include athletes, coaches and officials from the grassroots to elite levels. With the support of its valued corporate partners – 94 FORWARD, Training Peaks, Subaru Canada, Z3R0D, Aquaman, Tribe Solutions, Champion System Canada, BOCO Gear Canada, ZiZU Optics, Outway Performance Socks, SCICON, SportShare, WestJet and FulGaz – along with the City of Victoria, Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Own the Podium, Triathlon Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and World Champions in all race disciplines. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at www.triathloncanada.com.

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan
Triathlon Canada
E-mail: chris.dornan@triathloncanada.com