In 2011, Lawler attempted to break the long-standing record time in the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon with current world champion Ben Brown.

Lawler's latest achievement comes in the form of setting the new Great Glen Paddle course record of 8hrs 1min on 22 March 2014.

In March 2017 he was elected President of British Canoeing, the sport's national governing body.

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to canoeing.

[1] Lawler completed his studies at the London School of Osteopathy in 1997 and has been a registered osteopath since 2000.