Luukajones.com | About Me |  About Luuka Jones

I have been competing in canoe slalom since the age of 14, where I entered in the NZ secondary schools slalom nationals, my first time on whitewater in a slalom kayak and my very first race. I came third, qualifying for the NZ Junior Development Team and sparking off what was to be a future passion and way of life for me. After two trips to Australia, on the development team, I entered in the junior team selections where I won and qualified for the team to compete in the 2006 Junior Worlds in Solkan. This was the first time I had been to Europe and my first taste of training and racing at a high level. Six weeks in Europe was enough to make me realize there are no boundaries and that I wanted to take Canoe Slalom to the next level, to one day join the ranks of the best. With this, also came the realization that I cannot do it by staying in New Zealand. With little coaching and the limited funding that minority sports receive here, I made the executive decision to pack up and move to Nottingham, to live, and train at the National water sports centre and training venue for the British team.

Not knowing what to expect I knew I would love it or hate it, but ultimately, it turned out to be the best decision of my life. Racing and training among some of the best in the world helped me to overcome my confidence issues and improve beyond my expectations. Returning to New Zealand, I knew I had some important races ahead of me, as well as some goals to achieve. Being the best in NZ was one of them. New Zealand team selections were the achievement of that goal, placing top boat in my class and achieving a top ranking nationally. The Oceanias and Olympic selection in Penrith Australia was another goal to be met, as I qualified the spot, and had the prospect of Beijing Olympics in my hands. I now have to achieve a top 16 nation placing at either the Prague or Slovenian world cups to meet NZ Olympic Committee requirements and fulfill my dream of competing at the Olympic Games. I will be working hard toward this, as I base myself in Nottingham to again, train among the best, to one day be one of them. For me, the skies the limit. "Ive always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win." - Arnold Palmer

Luukajones.com | About Me |  About Luuka Jones