Luuka jones
Kayaking her way to the podium
Luuka Jones began kayaking on the banks of the Wairoa River, in her home town of Tauranga. Working in the adventure park in Waimarino, in exchange for kayaking lessons, exposed her to white water paddling and she loved it. Going on trips with friends and playing around on the river, she was unaware that this love would ake her a three time Olympian. Mike Dawson caught up with Luuka to find out more...
What was your dream when you started kayaking? When you started kayaking did you think that you would be standing on the podium at the Olympic Games?
I don’t think I really knew the opportunities in kayaking when I first started. I just did it because I loved it. As I started to get better in the sport I was aware that some of the older paddlers were trying to qualify for the Olympics. It came onto my radar as something to aim for in the future.
What accomplishments are you best known for?
I am probably known mostly for my silver medal in Rio and being a 3 x Olympian. I also recently won a world cup medal in canoe slalom which is a first for the kiwi team. It’s nice to achieve these things but I have fresh goals I want to tick off.
Have you had any major Failures or setbacks in kayaking?
Yes, a lot. Though when I think about my kayaking career and the defining moments, a lot of them are the setbacks. I think it is important to fail in order to learn and improve, though its always disappointing at the time.
Did you have to overcome any fears to get to where you are now?
In slalom it’s mostly the fear of making mistakes on the course. It’s such a fast sport but requires a high level of accuracy and if you are a few centimetres off line it can cost you a lot. I really had to learn to trust my plan, preparation and my abilities on the course and not hold back.
What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume alone?
I'm not sure… I’m a bit weird. I like hanging out with chickens in my spare time.
Who or what inspires you now? Who have been the majorly influential people in your life?
I have been really fortunate to have been surrounded by a lot of influential people throughout my life. I’m inspired a lot by Louise. Lou was my best friend and we grew up paddling together. We were really competitive in canoe slalom and this pushed me a lot. Sadly she passed away in a kayaking accident on the Kaituna river in 2015. I still think about her all the time and she inspires me to make the most of every day. Her spirit lives on in the Okere Falls kayaking community and through everyone who knew her.
Is there a “what if” decision in your life you think about that could have led you down a completely different path?
When I left school I made the decision to move to Nottingham to live and train amongst the British canoe slalom team. It was tempting to go to university like everybody else, but I decided to get three jobs and save up to fly across the other side of the world to get better at the sport. It seemed a crazy decision at the time, but if I hadn’t done this, I don’t know if I would still be paddling.
Do you think mentorship or teaching is something every paddler should embrace at some point? How can those who have found success in the sport give back?
I do. Having mentors at a young age has a really big impact. Being a mentor is also a really rewarding experience. There are a lot of ways to give back. Sometimes it is linking in with a charity or with a local club to do some volunteer coaching/mentoring. Making yourself available to young kids so they can fire questions at you is also a very good thing.