Back to back wins for Constable Clarke
International endurance surfski competitor, Constable Rachel Clarke, is the first back-to-back winner of the Police Association’s Sportsperson of the Year award.
Last year, the 26-year-old from the North Shore took home the 2014 award and she recived the 2015 award from Police Association president Greg O’Connor on July 4.
‘‘The double win is in recognition of another year of great achievements on the international and national surfski circuit,’’ O’Connor says.
‘‘Her hard work and personal sacrifice, has earned her respect from her colleagues; fellow athletes; and the wider community – her achievements reflect positively on Police too.’’
In May she competed in the Molokai to Oahu race in Hawaii which is considered the unofficial world championships of surfski. She finished second in the gruelling 53-kilometre event after four hours and 34 minutes.
In April this year, she won the Queen of the Harbour race in Auckland, which is part of the 2016 World Surfski Series, coming in about 10 minutes ahead of current world champion and fellow New Zealander Teneale Hatton.
This month she has her sights set on the next World Series race in Canada.
Most days, pretty much year round, Clarke is either on the water, in the water or, in her role with road policing at the Auckland Harbour Bridge, over the water.
Her normal week includes fulltime shift work, ocean paddling six times a week, two gym sessions, three runs and a recovery swim.
Growing up Clarke won several national titles in surf lifesaving, swimming and sprint kayaking.
When she discovered ocean paddling she realised it was the perfect discipline for her.
‘‘I’m not a sprinter; I like the endurance aspect of the longdistance races,’’ she says.
Clarke is a focused competitor, but she also does it because she loves the sun, sea and surf lifestyle and it’s something she wants to share with others. She runs paddling clinics for beginners and those wanting to build on intermediate skills, helping to promote the sport within the community.
Previous winners of the award include rugby players, volleyballers, footballers, cricketers and triathletes.