Luuka paddling for all she is worth | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Preparing for the 2012 Olympics isn't just about training for Rotorua slalom kayaker Luuka Jones - she also has to find $60,000 to get there.

The Waiariki Institute of Technology student recently qualified to compete at the London games next year and alongside her training, she will have to find funding and sponsors.

The 22-year-old is currently in London for a two-week canoe slalom training camp on the Olympic course. Because there is no artificial water course in New Zealand she must go overseas to get the required training and all of this comes at a huge financial cost.

Her family has paid for a lot over the years but Jones needs sponsors and financial support from companies and organisations.

Waiariki Institute of Technology provides her with support and some sponsorship, by giving her part-time employment and the opportunity to be coached and mentored by sports scientist Jane Borren, who has worked with Olympic gold medallist Sarah Ulmer and the New Zealand women's hockey team.

Jones said she was grateful for any support she received and estimated it would take another $60,000 to get her to the Olympics.

Although she was ranked 32nd among the world's top female competitors this did not qualify her for funding from Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC), she explained.

"It's a bit of a Catch 22 - you have to reach a certain rank to receive funding from SPARC, but you need the funding leading up to the games in order to train to reach the top ranks."

"I'm concerned about the funding issue but at the end of the day I can only do as much I can do. I just need to focus on my training."

The sport of canoe slalom kayaing is dominated by professionals from Germany, France, the Czech Republic and Slovakia where the sport has a much higher profile than in New Zealand.

As well as her training commitments, Jones holds down two part-time jobs and does not have the luxury of a social life or eating what she wants.

As part of her hectic schedule and vigorous training regime she works out three times a day, six days a week, combining core abdominal exercises with kayaking on the lakes and the Kaituna River. Jones has been studying communications and will soon start summer school, working towards a business management degree.

After Christmas she would travel to Sydney to train on an Olympic course, then to London in April for more training, followed by World Cup events in France and Spain in June next year.

Wherever she went, her 9kg 3.5m-long kayak travelled with her and in between training camps, she would be looking for funding opportunities and sponsors.

"It's all about how badly you want it," Jones said of the road to the Olympics.

"Three years solid training has made all the difference. My physique, my attitude towards training and professionalism have all improved significantly."

Jones said she wanted to peak at the age of 26 and take home a gold medal from the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. But first, she had to get herself to the 2012 Olympics in London.

To get in touch with Luuka Jones or to check her out in action slalom kayaking go online to www.luukakayaker.blog.spot.com