About Dave Cooke

Dave was born with Type IVOsteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and from a very young age was liable to bone fractures. As a child he had numerous spells in hospital and many operations, mostly on his femurs. Repeated breaks left him with very short legs and the need to use assistance when walking for most of his adult life. However a speciast consultant, Mr Jackson at the Bristol Royal Infirmary managed to do an excellent job (in 2006) on a 17 year old unhealed fracture meaning that Dave no longer needs to use crutches for short distances.

Educated partly at home and partly at mainstream school, he had virtually no access to sport. Unable to get around but also not a wheelchair user there were no opportunities to get involved in physical activity. He developed a taste for kayaking in his early teenage years when caravanning on holiday with his family and was a moderate, though occassional, swimmer.

After achieving a batch of 'O' and 'A' levels at grammar school (despite missing many lessons through spells in hospital) he went on to study Computer Science at Hatfield Polytechnic where he joined the college canoe and archery clubs. After graduation he work as a computer software designer/developer on a number of projects in London and the South East, before moving to Taunton, Somerset in the early 90s, with his partner Jane.

When in the town one day, he spotted some kayaks being taken into a swimming pool. He and Jane signed up for a beginners course and his interest in kayaking was instantly rekindled. Over the next 15 years they both became avid 'paddlers', entering many slalom and racing competitions and each qualifying as kayak coaches. Dave joined the South West Regional Committee of the BCU and is the Disabled Persons Rep for the region. He regularly enjoys kayak surfing, whitewater, racing and canoe polo, and runs beginners courses at the local club.

In 2002 Dave decided it was time to lose weight and get fit, so he joined the local gym at Blackbrook Pavilion. On one of the visits there he heard someone talking about Wheelchair Tennis, but never having used a wheelchair for more than an odd day assumed he wouldn't be able to play. However, the coach encouraged him to give it a try and he's been playing regularly ever since. Though not a dedicated Tennis player he attends most weeks, and improved sufficiently to win the local notive tournment. Another random encounter led him into Wheelchair Basketball and other wheelchair sports, and subsequently to the position of chairman for Somerset Wheelchair Sports Club.

In 2004 Dave had the strange notion that "it would be good to try wheelchair racing". He contacted a company called Bike-On in the US and after long and protracted negotiations purchased not only a second hand racing wheelchair, but also a new handcycle and a sports chair. The handcycle was an immediate success and although only used recreationally it was a reasonable choice offering a good compromise between speed and functionality. The wheelchair was more of a disappointment though, being a bit too narrow and uncomfortable to use. He did a little training and entered the Taunton 10K a couple of times (crashing out in style on his first attempt yet still managing to limp to the end) but it was not until 2007, at the age of 45, that he decided to try his first Triathlon. The obvious place to start was the Taunton Deane Triathlon and he entered the novice event. The cycle course was very hilly and the run section a challenge for a wheelchair, with gravel, mud, treeroots and sharp bends at the bottom of steep hills. But he was happy to finish mid field, and realised that his swim was actually quite good when compared to most of the able competitors. But it was in 2008 when a random web site link to the 'British Disabled Triathlon Championships' caught his eye and made him take a much more serious look at Triathlon as a disabled sport.

Following on from his success at the 2008 Championships, Dave raced in a further four events that year and was selected as a member of the GB Development Squad for 2009. A second place at the 2009 British Championships was followed by wins at the Europeans, Bedford and London, and then a second place in the International Invitational Event at Hyde Park.

He still finds time for kayaking, basketball, badminton, hockey and tennis in between his rigorous training schedule.