Gregory Mark BARTON

Greg Barton is usually considered the greatest flatwater kayaker produced by the United States. Barton competed at three Olympic Games, winning medals at each, highlighted by his two gold medals in 1988 in K1-1,000 and K2-1,000. He won gold medals in the same events at the 1987 Pan American Games. Barton won six medals at the World Championships, including four golds (K-1 1000 m: 1987, K-1 10000 m: 1985, 1987, 1991), a silver (K-1 10000 m: 1990), and a bronze (K-1 1000 m: 1991).

Barton graduated from the University of Michigan in 1983 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He settled in Seattle where he started and ran Epic Kayaks, which makes high-end kayaks, surfskis, and paddles. The US Canoe Association has named the Greg Barton Cup Challenge in his honor. Barton’s brother, Bruce Barton, competed at the 1976 Olympics in canoeing.