Hi my name is Jake Koekemoer. I am of Maori decent (Te Ati Awa). I am turning 17 years old on the 3rd February 2016.

I was born 10 weeks premature and spent the first 6 weeks of my life in hospital. At the age of 5mths old I contracted Meningitis and spent another 2 weeks in hospital fighting for my life.

From the age of 2 years old I worked with a Occupational Therapist. This continued until I was 10 years old. The Occupational Therapist worked with me to help develop upperbody strength and co-ordination and to help with low muscle tone. This was due to my premature birth. I have had up to 15 ear operations due to glue ear and at the age of 12, I had to have an operation on my ankles to stablise the forward movement in my feet. A titanium bolt had to be inserted into each ankle. This operation enabled me to walk and run pain free. It also meant I had to relearn how to walk again!

I am a full time student at Burnside High School going into my Year 13 year. I train 6 days a week, 2X a day. I have been training for nearly 3 years. For the last year I have been part of paddle ID which is the entry level to CRNZ high performance. I have a part time job working at a bakery, but due to my training schedule and also study for school I am unable to commit to much work. I am a hard working student who gained excellence overall in Year 11 and I am hoping to gain excellence again in Year 12.

Funding is an ongoing issue for me and my family. In 2011 we lost our house and land in the 2011 Earthquake. This house had been built by my Grandparents and had housed 3 generations of our family. My parents have been put under a lot of financial pressure due to the earthquake and then in supporting me in sprint kayaking.

Being part of Paddle ID means I have training camps in the North Island (Rotorua- Blue Lakes or Hamilton -Lake Karapiro) approximately 5 times a year. This is not funded and we have to pay $150.00 for accommodation and food and then on top of this I need my airfare to and from the camp. Most camps in total cost $500.00.

These costs will continue again in the 2016 year as well as extra costs. I have been selected for the New Zealand U18 development squad to attend GP2 Oceania’s in Adelaide in February 2016. If I preform well and also at New Zealand Nationals, I am up for selection for the New Zealand U18 Team to attend Junior World Kayaking at Belarus 2016. All of this is user pays as I am in the junior team.

Both my parents work full time and try their best to support me financially, however the better I am getting the costs are getting higher.

I presently need a new paddle which can cost between $600.00 and $800.00. My last paddle lasted 18mths. My current paddle has some shaft damage and can be used for a spare but I am unable to race with it.

The funding I am looking to apply for is: $1220

To purchase a new paddle

To help fund my trip to Adelaide to compete in the GP2 Oceania sprint kayaking representing New Zealand.

JAKE IS A YOUNG MAN WITH AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY FOLLOWING A KAYAKING DREAM

CHRISTCHURCH

SPORTING GOALS

My goals for 2016 is to make the New Zealand U18 Kayak team to compete at the Junior World Championships at Belarius. My larger goal is to represent New Zealand in Kayaking at the Olympics.

HIGHEST SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT

I got my first National Medal at Ocean 13’s (Nationals for Surf Life Saving U14 year olds). I got a 3rd place in the U14 tube rescue and I also got 2nd place in Board relay. This was the year I started Sprint Kayaking as I thought it would help my Surf Life Saving. I attended my first kayaking regatta at Blue Lakes 2 2013. I won both the U14 K1 200m and U14 K1 500m. After this regatta Sprint Kayaking became my priority sport. I still continue with some Surf Life Saving and continue to do well in this sport.

I am a qualified Lifeguard and patrol Sumner beach as a volunteer in the Summer. I am also a prefect for Burnside High School for 2016.

My Achievements:

2012: New Zealand Surf Life Saving Pool Champs

1st mixed medley relay

2013: New Zealand Surf Life Saving Oceans 13

3rd U14 tube rescue

2nd U14 Board relay

New Zealand Surf Life Saving Pool Champs

3rd U16 4x 50m medley relay mens

3rd U16 4x 50m obstacle relay mens

2014: New Zealand Sprint Kayaking Nationals

2nd K1 500m U16

2nd K4 500m U16

2nd K4 200m U16

New Zealand Kayak Marathon champs

3rd U16 K1 marathon

2nd U16 K2 Marathon

2015: New Zealand Sprint Kayaking Nationals

1st K1 200m U16

1st K1 500m U16

1st K2 200m U16

3rd K2 1000m U18 and 3rd Oceania’s

3rd K4 1000m U18 and 3rd Oceania’s

New Zealand Kayak Marathon Champs

1st U16 K1 Marathon

New Zealand Surf Life Saving

3rd Taplin Relay

Canterbury top Ski paddler for U16 2015