Curtis McGrath is a paralympic canoe sprint flat water paddler, who stole hearts across Australia during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The 30-year-old had both of his legs amputated as a result of a mine blast whilst serving in the Australian Army in Afghanistan in 2012. 

Fox and McGrath went down the Sydney’s Olympic Whitewater course together over the weekend. Generally, McGrath doesn't get the chance to participate in canoe slalom as it isn't a Paralympic sport.

However, he's always wanted to back out onto the whitewater and Fox was only happy to help out. 

“Curt is the first athlete to do this, to get into the boat on whitewater and for me, it was a privilege to take him down the course and to be part of it," Fox said.

"To see him back on the water and seeing him enjoying it, pushing himself and challenging himself on the rapids was very special.
 
“Curt is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met, knowing his story, his determination to get to the Paralympics, his dedication to his craft and his incredible performances to see him win world titles and Paralympic gold, I’ve admired him for many years."

Between the pair, they hold 15 individual World Championships titles, one Paralympic gold, one Olympic silver and one Olympic bronze medal.

The Paralympic Champion followed Fox's strokes down the course but she admitted some nervousness before getting on the water. 
 
“I’m not going to lie, I was a little bit nervous because I didn’t want anything bad to happen and avoid any injury," Fox said.

"Tokyo is just around the corner and it is challenging out there and it was Curtis’ first time back on whitewater for 20 years. It was a pretty momentous occasion and super exciting to be able to do it together."

Fox is set to kick-off her season at the Sydney International Whitewater Festival with McGrath at the Canoe Sprint Grand Prix II at Sydney International Regatta Centre.
 
The events mark the start of the Olympic and Paralympic Qualification season for both paddlers with 18 months to go to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.