Olympic canoeing great Dame Lisa Carrington will be keeping busy during her year's absence from international competition

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist is still targeting the 2028 Olympics but will forego international travel for the next year to focus on training.

She's also invested in the Northern Kahu basketball franchise...and with the domestic league not starting until October, Carrington says she has a few months to brush up on her meagre basketball knowledge.