War hero attributes his sense of adventure partly to growing up on SA farm
After making a remarkable recovery after a war injury, South African born paralympic British cyclist went on to compete at the Invictus and Tokyo Paralympic games. Being confined to a wheelchair after his ordeal, he vowed to walk again, and did so much more than that.
Unequivocal tells the story of how Jaco Van Gass builds a post-injury life as an adventurer and professional athlete.
South African-born Van Gass MBE (37) launched his book on Thursday, November 23.
Van Gass was 23 when he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan in 2009.
At the time he was a member of the British Armed Forces. In mid-2007, he finished his training and became a member of the Parachute Regiment.
Losing his left arm in the blast, he sustained life-threatening injuries that stopped his heart twice yet survived.
Van Gass tells his inspiring story
Van Gass has been up the slopes of the world’s highest mountains and to the North Pole, and tells his compelling and inspiring story, starting with his childhood in South Africa.
“I think my sense of adventure was born in spending a lot of time outdoors and making up games on my grandparents’ farm in Hendrina. Those experiences of building rafts and driving on the back of a bakkie feeding the animals shaped me. I always felt free and myself just to be able to enjoy life,” he explained.
He paints a vivid picture of the cruel realities of war as well as the struggle to rebuild his life after losing a limb.
“I am faced with challenges every day. Early on one of these was experiencing phantom limb pain when you imagine a limb still to be there and act on that feeling. I will bend down to tie my shoelaces for instance and then have to mentally reach out and then rethink that one.
“I also want to help people and then realise it is now a bit more difficult to do so. But you manage it and you get used to having only one arm,” said Van Gass.
In December 2013, Van Gass was part of a group of disabled soldiers who, together with Prince Harry, completed a 335km march to the South Pole for the benefit of the aid organisation Walking With The Wounded. This raised millions of pounds in donations that were to be used for the athletic rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.
Van Gass then turned his interest to cycling
Managing the complexities of navigating the world of British cycling was however a different sort of challenge.
He won two gold medals and one bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. He is a three-time world record holder in track cycling.
Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using purpose-designed track bicycles.
The Tokyo Paralympic Games was a bit of a letdown to Van Gass as it was the crowds and the encouragement that he felt during the London Games a few years previously that inspired him to take part.
“With Covid-19 of course it was a bit ironic because there were no crowds and no atmosphere. No family members were allowed. This however gives me even more motivation to take part in the Paris Paralympian Games next year,” said Van Gass.
Van Gass was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to cycling.
It is however the mountains that he nostalgically gets back to.
“I fell in love with mountains while skiing for the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team. This love was intensified during preparation for climbing Everest. Climbing the world’s 8th highest mountain, the Manaslu in the Himalayas, was also a fascinating experience although extremely hard,” explained Van Gass.
Van Gass Everest attempt
He said his ability to deal well with altitude allowed him to attempt Everest in 2012.
“Even though we did not make it to the top, it was a great experience,” said Van Gass.
Mountain climbing is something he would like to get back to after cycling.
Expanding on a lesson he learnt from his experiences, Van Gass is clear about one thing: Get away from the rat race.
“I have learnt how valuable time is. Sometimes we can very easily and quickly overlook and forget the importance of making really good memories. It’s also not worth it to put your dreams to one side. Even if it feels impossible, take time and make the sacrifices needed. With the right help and support, you will be able to make it. Never give up on your hopes and dreams,” he said.
For Van Gass, there was celebration off the track too.
He met web developer Kathryn Pringle (28) and they wed in February.
She, too, has a love of sport and they live in Sale, Manchester.
The thought of summitting Everest as well as Kilimanjaro however won’t go away.
“There’s Everest and Kilimanjaro. I still want to tick that off.”
Click here for a video on Van Gass:
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