Jaco is a keen Adventurer, Motivational Speaker, World & Paralympic Champion Para-Cyclist and a World Record holder

South African born Jaco van Gass was a member of the British Armed Forces Parachute Regiment.

It was during Jaco’s second tour of Afghanistan in 2009, after five and a half months and with just two weeks to go when Jaco sustained severe life changing injuries. Jaco and his platoon were engaged by Enemy Forces and after an intense 45 minute fire fight, Jaco was hit by an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade). The injuries he sustained included the loss of his left arm at the elbow, a collapsed left lung, shrapnel wounds to his left side, punctured internal organs, blast wounds to upper thigh, a broken tibia and a fractured knee. Jaco had 11 operations and intense rehabilitation.

Despite the physical and mental trauma endured, Jaco became a first-class downhill skier, and multiple marathon runner. He was a member of the record-breaking team of wounded soldiers to trek unsupported to the North Pole (joined partly by Prince Harry), and he’s also climbed Alaska’s 6000m Mt Denali, and Everest (narrowly missing the summit due to adverse weather). He has overcome adversity and is taking on the world. 

Jaco has been a member of the GB Para-Cycling team, competing internationally at the World Championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He has become a National Champion Cyclist on the road multiple times. Jaco raced in the Para-Cycling Track World Championships in March 2018 and won a bronze medal in the C4 4K Pursuit.

In 2020 Jaco became a Triple World Champion in Track Cycling at the Track World Championships in Milton and also won two silver medals. Jaco most recently competed in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and became a double Paralympic Champion and a three times World Record holder.

In 2022, Jaco released a book of his life story, Unequivocal. A tale about Sport, Life and never giving in, no matter how difficult the road ahead. It is now available to purchase here.

ADVENTURE

As a keen adventurer, Jaco has reached the North Pole, attempted Everest and summited a number of mountains. Jaco is now also a member Adaptive Grand Slam Team, a team of disabled adventurers are on a mission to be the first disabled team in history to complete the notorious Grand Slam. Very few adventurers have completed all stages of this impressive feat, which entails summiting the highest peak on each of the 7 continents and walking unsupported to the geographic North and South Poles. 

PEAKS Reached to date

Mount ACONCAGUA 2017