I first got into canoeing at College under Brandon van der Walt in Grade 10 and have been dedicated to the sport ever since. Brandon remains my coach to this day, and I still turn to him regularly for advice.
College was also where I developed a real interest in STEM fields, particularly Physical Science. When I started in Grade 8, I really struggled with the subject and even considered dropping Physics after Grade 9. However, I decided to persevere, and by matric , after learning the value of consistent hard work I managed to achieve strong results in my 2022 final exams. I owe a great deal of thanks to Mrs Leisl Couperthwaite, my Grade 11 and 12 Physics teacher, who made sure I stayed focused and put in the effort.
After leaving College, I enrolled at Stellenbosch University to pursue a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. My first year was academically demanding, and unfortunately, I wasn’t able to paddle due to logistical reasons. Despite that, I managed to finish the year Cum Laude.
In my second year, I was able to return to canoeing and gradually regain my competitive edge. Interestingly, as I got back into training, my academic results improved as well. I’m now in my third year, which is a particularly tough stage of the degree, but I’ve managed to maintain and even improve my marks while continuing to compete.
This year’s racing season has been challenging. I fell ill during the Berg River Marathon and suffered a shoulder dislocation at the Dusi, but I was determined to finish both races and did so with results I’m proud of. I recently underwent shoulder surgery, which has brought this season to an early close, but the experience has taught me a lot about perseverance and balance.
As I recover, I’m focusing on my rehabilitation and looking forward to getting back on the water soon. Next year marks both my final year of studies and, I hope, a strong return to racing. I’m eager to finish well and take the next step into my career as a professional engineer with many more races still ahead.
Through all the challenges, what continues to motivate me are the bonds of brotherhood formed at College and the lessons learned there to never give up, to persevere no matter what, and to live with determination and pride in everything I do.
Joshua’s dedication to both academics and sport was recently recognised at the Maties Sport Awards 2025, where he was named one of the university’s Top Academic Achievers, earning an outstanding 86% average in his Bachelor of Engineering degree while excelling in canoeing.
Follow Joshua on Facebook: Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert, and Instagram is gc_josh