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Born in Tonga and raised in New Zealand, Tony Vaka lost his right leg in a shark attack at a relatively young age. Determined not to let it slow him down, the sports-mad Aucklander has been competing against – and beating - able-bodied athletes since 2009.
A national, Oceania and Commonwealth champion powerlifter, Vaka has also been a dominant force in disabled sailing since discovering the sport eight years ago.
In 2015, he was named Royal Akarana Yacht Club's sailor of the year after winning the Kiwi Cup, the Waller Cup, and the Liberty national championships. Earlier this month, Vaka claimed yet another national Liberty title - his fifth.
In the latest of our regular feature shining the spotlight on the country’s yachting community and the people at its heart, Vaka shares his inspirational story – and how falling in love with sailing set it on a new course.
Tell us a bit more about your background and your love for sport.
I was born in Tonga but went to school in Auckland. I have always been into sport, and I especially loved track and field - running, jumping, shot put, discus, javelin, and swimming. I donated my leg to a shark in a surfing accident in the islands and I didn’t do any sport again for a long time. In 2009, I heard on the radio that the Millennium Institute of Sport was holding a competition for anyone interested in powerlifting. I went along and showed them what I could do – and three days later I received a phone call to let me know I was selected to be coached by the best in New Zealand.
You soon started competing in – and winning – able-bodied powerlifting events?
Yes. I went to my first Paralympics New Zealand nationals representing Auckland. I got silver and I was hooked. Unfortunately, they didn't have any more PNZ nationals, so I turned to able-bodied powerlifting. Since then, it’s been all about goal setting for me. And I have achieved most of them, including winning gold in national, Oceania and Commonwealth competitions. I was always on crutches but powerlifting rules require both feet to be on the floor at all times – and I only had one! So, I had to start wearing an artificial limb, but I loved the challenge. There is nothing like going into an able-body competition as the underdog with so much to prove and walking out with the gold medal.
Do you still lift competitively?
I do but nowadays sailing is taking up most of my time. Whenever sailing and powerlifting competition dates collide, I always default to sailing. I’m also a personal trainer. I love helping people with their fitness goals – whether it’s weight loss, muscle building or strength training. I’ve been lucky to meet and work with some incredible people like [former world heavyweight boxing champion] Joseph Parker. He was impressed enough with my powerlifting background to approach me and ask if I could train him. At first, I didn’t know who he was but he was very humble and it was an incredible journey.
Tony Vake (centre) took out the 2023 Liberty national champiosnhips - his fifth title. Photo / Supplied
When did you get into sailing – and how did that come about?
One day in early 2015, I was at the waterfront with my family on my mobility scooter and just enjoying the view. I started talking to a group of people who were having a BBQ. One of the men said I could get a free meal if I went for a sail in one of their boats. Up until then I had never even been on a boat that didn’t have an engine, but the BBQ smelled so good that I agreed and went out with a skipper. I immediately had goosebumps; I was euphoric. I would later find out my skipper was sailing superstar Richard Dodson [two-time America’s Cup winner and Paralympic sailing great]. On that same day I also met David Barnes and Sailability’s Steve Cranch – three people who have shaped my learning curve. And what a steep learning curve it has been!
What do you most like about sailing?
Time on the water. I could practise all day long and be happy never to set foot on land. It’s the highlight of my week, just getting on the water and sailing. I’ve always loved watching the America’s Cup. Though I didn’t understand the sailing rules, I loved watching the best sailors in the world go at each other. I have to always be close to the ocean – I guess it calms me.
Sailing and powerlifting are obviously two very different sports. Are there any transferable skills or experience from powerlifting that you think makes you a better sailor?
Again, for me it’s all about setting big goals and taking small steps to achieve them. Both require a lot of problem-solving – hitting walls and figuring out a way around it – as well as the discipline to keep going when others stop.
Tony Vaka was named Royal Akarana Yacht Club's sailor of the year in 2015. Photo / Suellen Hurling
What has been the highlight of your sailing career so far?
Sailing with greats like Dodson, Barnes, Tony Rae, Warwick Fleury, Don Cowie, Brian Trubovich and Robs Hielkema.
And some of the biggest challenges?
I have many fond memories of falling to the wrong side of the boat while tacking! But, seriously, the best way for anyone with a disability to get into sailing is to just get into the boat – you’ll figure out soon enough what works and doesn’t work for you. Having a great coach following you around, like I have, absolutely helps. Exposure to more international regattas, and the opportunity to learn from sailors from around the world, would be really amazing.
You have been described as one of the nicest people in sailing…
That’s good to hear. I’ve been told many times – in sailing and powerlifting - that I need to be more aggressive, but I like to respect my opponents, acknowledge their achievements and treat them like I would want to be treated. My definition of a true champion is someone with the ability to win while having the respect of their competitors.
What remaining goals do you have in the sport?
I would love to be involved in the mental preparation side of high performance sailing - things like positive thinking, race visualisation, stress benefits and shortfalls. And, of course, to make it to the next Para Sailing World Championship would be a dream come true.
For more information on sailing for people with disabilities, click here or here.
