Western Australian Olympic kayaker Stephen Bird has awoken this morning to find his K1 kayak has been stolen from the roof of his car overnight at the Doubleview address he is house sitting for his sister.
Bird, who competed alongside fellow West Australian Jesse Phillips in the Olympic final of the men’s K2 200m event in London last year, discovered the boat was missing this morning at 7am as he prepared to head for a morning paddle.
“It’s obviously devastating,” Bird said. “This is the craft I won my national championship in earlier this month, and without it I won’t be able to train.”
“I’m up the creek without a boat, never mind the paddle,” said the 24 year-old.
Given the custom design of the boat, Bird – a Doubleview resident himself – is liable to significant personal expense to have it replaced and adding to pain, both the swivel seat and foot rests within the kayak, were the same he used at the 2012 Olympic Games.
“I’d just love to get it back,” he reasoned. “As a full-time athlete this is going to hit hard, and that’s without the sentimental value.”
“It would be practically useless to anyone else, and they (thief) won’t be able to sell it as it readily identifiable,” Bird said.
Bird is a member of Canoeing Australia’s World Championship selection pool and is expected to represent Australia at this year’s championships in Duisburg, Germany from August 27 – September 1.
Anyone with information on this matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on: 1800 333 000
