Balancing the paddle and the law books

At just 19 years old, Jordan Klopper is already navigating a demanding dual path: pursuing a law degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT), while training relentlessly to represent South Africa in international canoe sprint competitions. For the second-year student, discipline, consistency and a clear sense of purpose have become the anchors holding together two high-performance worlds.

Originally from Johannesburg, Klopper made what he describes as a “big decision” to leave home and study at UCT, drawn by its academic reputation and the challenge it represents. “I’ve always known that UCT has the best law faculty in Africa,” he said. “I wanted to give myself the best educational opportunity that I possibly could.”

That decision has already paid off. Klopper passed his first year with distinction – an achievement he attributes to hard work, adaptability and a growing sense of independence. “It was definitely a huge adjustment moving away from my family and friends,” he said. “But it helped me improve my time management and organisational skills, and I’ve made new friends along the way.”

His journey in canoe sprinting began almost by chance nearly a decade ago. In 2016, while attending St David’s Marist Inanda in Johannesburg – one of the few schools offering canoeing as a sport – a conversation with a friend sparked his curiosity.

“Seeing someone just two years older than me race internationally made me realise that it was possible.”

“He told me that the canoeing team had been paddling on rivers over the weekend,” Klopper recalled. “I thought it sounded fun. I went home, spoke to my parents and asked if I could try it. I’ve been paddling ever since. It was almost like something just clicked.”

With no family history in the sport, Klopper initially approached canoeing as a social activity. “For the first few years, I didn’t put too much pressure on myself,” he said. “It was about having fun and being with friends.”

That perspective shifted in 2019 when a close friend qualified to represent South Africa overseas. “Seeing someone just two years older than me race internationally made me realise that it was possible,” Klopper said. “That’s when I started to think seriously about what I could achieve if I trained properly.”

From lockdown to international waters

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted training opportunities in 2020, but Klopper used the setback as a moment of recalibration. Ahead of the 2021 season, he committed fully to high-performance training, switching coaches and significantly increasing his workload with the support of his parents.

At national trials that year, Klopper qualified for the Olympic Hopes Federation team, earning his first opportunity to compete internationally in the Czech Republic. “That was a massive milestone for me,” he said. “It showed me that the sacrifices were worth it.”

Last year was his first season in the under-23 age group. He participated in the World Championship in Portugal, a competition that proved to be a challenge but a learning curve, too.

“For the 500m, I placed 8th in my heat, and for the 200m, I placed 7th in the semi-final. While the results weren't what I was hoping for, I learned that staying positive and facing setbacks is part of the sport, and one must keep moving forward despite that.”

Now, Klopper is aiming even higher. In March this year, he hopes to qualify for the Junior and Under-23 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Canada, as well as an international regatta in Italy. Beyond that, his long-term ambitions stretch towards the Olympic Games.

“Los Angeles 2028 is probably a bit too soon,” he admitted. “But Brisbane 2032 is definitely a goal I’m working towards.”

Despite canoeing being an individual sport with a relatively small footprint at UCT, Klopper has found encouragement within the university. Late last year, he approached Mark Basha, head of UCT Sport, to introduce himself and discuss possible institutional support.

“We had a very positive meeting,” Klopper said. “He was incredibly supportive, and I’m really grateful for everything he’s done so far.”

Klopper has since applied for a UCT sports scholarship, which was awarded to him in early February. “There isn’t a canoeing club at UCT, so I felt it was important to put myself forward and explain my journey and my goals,” he said.

Discipline, sacrifice and balance

Balancing elite sport with a demanding academic programme requires meticulous planning. Klopper’s days often start before sunrise, with gym sessions at 04:30 or 05:00, followed by lectures, study blocks between classes, afternoon paddling sessions, and evening coursework.

“It takes a huge amount of organisation,” he said. “Every spare moment between lectures counts.”

Yet canoeing, he added, does not feel like a burden. “It’s actually my escape. After a long day of studying, going to the dam clears my mind. It helps me focus better when I get back to my work. The two really complement each other.”

“You need a plan – and failing to plan is planning to fail.”

The sport has also shaped Klopper’s broader outlook on life. “Perseverance and consistency are key,” he said. “You need a plan – and failing to plan is planning to fail.”

More importantly, canoeing has taught him to embrace discomfort. “On the cold winter days when you don’t want to get out of bed, or the scorching hot days when training feels unbearable – you still have to show up,” he said. “You learn that nothing just falls into your lap. You have to work for it.”

As Klopper continues to chase excellence in both the lecture theatre and on the water, he remains grounded and deeply appreciative of the opportunities before him.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be studying at an institution like UCT,” he said. “It stands for so much in this country. Being able to pursue a quality education while chasing my athletic dreams is truly empowering.”