Jak Fantastic

Jak has been paddling for over 30 years, first getting on the water at just six years old on a small lake in the Thames Valley. Born with severely club feet, she struggled with walking and found traditional sports inaccessible.

As a teenager, Jak joined the GB Freestyle Team, travelling and competing around the world. In her early twenties, she suffered serious injuries, including a broken back and hips, related to her underlying condition. After multiple surgeries and setbacks she repeatedly received medical advice that she would never kayak again.

Since returning in 2018 with a trip to Sumatra still unable to walk, she regained her mobility and she competed in both whitewater racing and freestyle, representing on the international stage, including at the 2023 Freestyle World Championships in C1 and winning medals in the world cups and British championships. In 2025, Jak underwent a leg amputation. Remarkably, she was back in a kayak before the wound had even healed.

Today, Jak continues to paddle extensively, particularly in India, where she undertakes remote expeditions that would challenge even the most able-bodied athletes. She is deeply committed to expanding access to whitewater paddling and competitive disciplines for women and people with disabilities.

Jak is proud and incredibly grateful to be supported by Spade Kayaks. She paddled Spade boats for years before any sponsorship because of their performance and suitability for smaller paddlers. Their support has been especially meaningful in a sport that can be extremely difficult to fund as an athlete with a disability.

Jak’s ambition is simple: to keep paddling, exploring, and pushing boundaries for as long as possible. She challenges perceptions of disability in high-performance sport and demonstrates that resilience, courage, and passion extend far beyond the river.

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