Josh Dueck

Josh was born in Kimberley, British Columbia (BC) but now resides in Vernon, BC.  A former high performance freestyle skier and a coach, Josh suffered a spinal injury in March 2004 during an attempt to land a jump. 

“You’re going to rock the world in a wheelchair and be back on the mountain riding a sit ski before you know it,” said the emergency room doctor after Josh’s accident. “It was an amazing moment, a profound experience,” says Josh. “It gave me a sense of direction to focus on my abilities and not my disability.”

Duey, as his friends and team mates call him, is a man with an incredible amount of determination.  Not only did he get back on the ski hill just nine months after his accident, he has won four consecutive Canadian Championships and was crowned the 2009 IPC World Downhill Champion and Canadian Champion. Josh also won a silver medal at the Paralympic Games in Vancouver.

When not on the slopes Josh enjoys swimming, playing tennis, bike riding, kayaking, photography and traveling.  Besides his love of sports, Josh he is a motivational speaker for WorkSafe BC, Pacific Sport and the RBC Olympian’s Program. He enjoys helping people with physical disabilities find opportunities to enjoy sports and recreational activities.  "I have learned through my experiences that anything is possible if you are willing to work for it", says Josh.