Peter’s story: ‘Waka ama changed my life’
Para athlete Peter Cowan has overcome the odds since losing a leg in a cycling accident at 15. This year, he’s attempting to achieve a lifetime goal – to qualify for the Paralympics.
When amputee Peter Cowan’s on the start line of a waka ama race, it feels like he has a cast of hundreds in the boat with him.
His mum is from Ngāti Kahungunu in the Hawke’s Bay, his dad is from Samoa, he has ancestry in Scotland, and there’s also his wife and two kids – not to mention the many others from the Hawke’s Bay and all over Aotearoa who have helped in his waka ama journey and life.
“Even though I’m in the boat by myself, I’ve got a huge team on my shoulders who have got me here,” the 28-year-old says.
“Every time I compete, I want to do them justice and make them proud.”
It’s a massive year for Pete as he tries to qualify for the Paralympic Games – set to be held in Paris during August and September – for the first time.
Peter competes in an adaptive version of waka ama, known internationally as Para va’a, which is a division of Para canoe at the Paralympics.
“I get blown away when I think about it,” he says of the idea of lining up in the famous black singlet.
“I can’t put into words what that would mean – it’s my total focus this year.”
‘No one else has our vibe’
Coached by Myka Nuku, Peter has a final opportunity to qualify for the Paralympics at an event in Szeged, Hungary in May.
The effort towards that begins this week when he returns to the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals at Lake Karāpiro near Cambridge.
Over 70 of the 90 Waka Ama New Zealand-affiliated clubs will attend the event, as well as more than 3,200 competitors and over 8,000 spectators and whānau from around the motu.
Sponsored by ACC, it’s the biggest event of its kind in the world.
“We’re committed to supporting kaupapa like waka ama that promotes the health and wellbeing of whānau of all ages,” says Rēnata Blair (Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei), ACC Tumu Whakarae Māori Tuarua, Deputy Chief Executive Māori.
Peter says the best part about the event is connecting with people from all over Aotearoa.
“We have something unique going on here in New Zealand – waka ama is really family-orientated and inclusive of all ages and abilities,” he says.
“There’s a cool vibe that you can't explain, I’ve competed at a lot of regattas overseas and there’s a unique vibe at our nationals that no one else has.”
Waka ama provides sense of belonging
In the 2023 World Championships in Germany, Peter showed his potential to be at the pointy end of the field, finishing ninth in his VL3 200m event in one of the tightest finals of the competition.
He’s hoping the vibe at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals will kickstart his season.
Peter trains six days a week and is in the boat twice a day as he tries to reach his goal.
“It’s quite isolating so it’s always good to go back to our roots. It’s good to connect with this community and I get a lot of energy from that.”
He loves competing in a sport that mirrors his Polynesian and Māori roots.
“It gives me a sense of belonging and I take that knowledge with me. When I’m competing internationally, it’s like a superpower, just knowing you have strong ties in your blood to the sport you’re competing in.”
A long journey from life-changing injury
Attempting to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympics is a long way from where Peter has come from.
At 15-years-old, he was cycling home from school as part of his training for an IronMāori triathlon he’d signed up for with a few of his cousins.
He had his hand out to indicate a turn and turned his head to check traffic when he was clipped by an oncoming car.
The initial impact split his upper leg open. He lost a lot of blood but was conscious following the accident.
Fortunately, two nurses arrived at the scene and saved his life. But he ended up having his right leg amputated above the knee.
“I remember everything,” he says.
“I was lying on the side of the road and feeling anxious about my future. I had no idea what living life with a disability would be like.
“I really had to go outside my comfort zone and meet people who had disabilities. I had to learn a bit more about what I was able to do and break down some of those beliefs of what I couldn’t do.”
He says ACC has played a leading role in his recovery and opportunities.
Finding hope and purpose
When he was 17, Peter was asked to attend a waka ama training session with his mates at Hastings Boys’ High School. It was on the Clive River and the former rugby player wasn’t sure.
“It was the first time I’d taken up any type of sport since the accident, so it took a lot of courage to get in there and a bit of curiosity as well,” he says.
“It brought a huge sense of hope and purpose, it was refreshing. After being sidelined for a few years and not sure what my future held, it was a big moment.”
Peter hasn’t looked back since then. He says being able to compete with his abled-bodied peers is huge.
“Getting in the boat levelled the playing field and I got a huge amount of confidence from being able to compete and win races.”
Peter and his team set a goal of representing Hawke’s Bay at the New Zealand Secondary Schools competition. They did so and now the school achieves that feat regularly.
Turning heads and raising awareness
Peter smiles when he gets out of the boat and his rivals or spectators can’t believe he has one leg.
“I guess when you have newcomers or people who aren't really surrounded by paddlers like myself that look a bit different, it does turn a few heads,” he says.
“But I find it’s a good opportunity to just raise awareness. I don’t really like putting myself out there, but I like breaking down barriers and showing that anything is possible.”
He has good advice for any young people who have sustained a life-changing injury.
“Surround yourself with a village of people who want the best for you. That gives you belief and hope you can do things in life,” he says.
“And when you’re recovering from a physical disability, it’s good to acknowledge your uniqueness and the different direction you’re going in life.
“There’s a community of good people who can help you on your journey.”
Waka Ama Sprint Nationals
- 14-20 January
- Lake Karāpiro, Cambridge
- More than 3,200 competitors and 8,000 spectators and whānau from around the motu
- Supported by mana whenua Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā
- ACC is hosting a whānau zone for supporters, paddlers and wider whānau to relax, watch the racing and try rongoā Māori – a traditional healing system
More information
More information is available on the Waka Ama NZ website.
