Quick rise to top for duo

Rowing | 29th June 2009

COUSINS Jemma Hapuku and Terry Simeon have only been rowing since November last year, but already the teenagers are going to represent Australia at the World Dragonboat Championships.

Hapuku, 16, and Simeon, 17, will head over to Prague in August to compete in the Australian junior team, which they only found out they were selected for in May.

Simeon, who is a student at Springwood State High School, said he just couldn't explain how he felt about making the Australian team so early is his rowing career.

“Racing all those others countries, I reckon it will be cool,” he said.

Likewise, his cousin Hapuku, who attends Rochedale State High School, said she was excited about going to Prague.

“I'm pretty amazed, I like started a couple of months ago,” she said.

Hapuku said the thing she was most looking forward to was meeting people from other countries and making a stop in Korea for shopping.

Both Hapuku and Simeon, who are part of the Coomera Dragons club, said they would like to represent Australia in an adult team when they become old enough.

Since the Logan teenagers found out they made the junior team, their family has been rallying together to fundraise money for their trip to Prague.

Simeon's mother, Lauranna Hapuku, said the cost of the trip would cost about $5000 for each, and although finding out they were on the team was “so last minute”, they had already raised about $7000 through raffles, a cake store at the Logan markets and a poker night.

“We've got the airfares covered, now we're working on accommodation,” the proud mum and aunt said.

“We're very thankful to all the community for their support.”