Olympic silver medalist Ben Fouhy has walked away from kayaking.

Fouhy failed to turn up for this week's national trials, after having a major bust up with the New Zealand selectors. It is a massive blow for New Zealand kayaking ahead of the London Olympics, with Fouhy trying out for the K1 1000 and K2 1000.

Teammate Steven Ferguson says everyone knew the rules, but Fouhy was not prepared to play by them, citing a similar situation in rowing.

"Rob Waddell and Mahe Drysdale, they have to turn up and trial, if they don't trial they don't get to go away. No sport gets chosen on past history every year. You've actually got to be the best in the country. Ben hasn't met that selection criteria."

Ferguson says the New Zealand trialists are stunned by Fouhy's no show. He cannot believe Fouhy has just walked out on a sport and a team that have been so good to him.

"Ben's such a talented guy and everyone gets pretty annoyed that someone with so much talent would just throw it away so easily and not even really try."

Ferguson confirmed his relationship with Fouhy has not always been great, but accepts he is a major loss ahead of the Olympics.