Kumaka Jensen

Challenge: Spina Bifida

Sports: Surfing, WCMX

Bio: Kumaka is an 11 year old boy full of energy, enthusiasm and is a bit of a daredevil. Born with Spina Bifida and paralyzed from the waist down, he dealt with multiple surgeries, infections, and hospitalizations. At the age of 5, he received his first WCMX wheelchair. His health and his abilities were changed forever after going down his first ramp in Venice, California.

Kumaka started frequenting his local skatepark, becoming one of the local skate Groms. He worked hard until at the age of 7 he was the youngest to drop into a 9 foot bowl. From there, he practiced at Woodward West to become the youngest to land a backflip in a wheelchair. Kumaka has competed at the WCMX World Championships and in 2017 was awarded 2nd in the intermediate division.

Beyond WCMX, Kumaka is an avid surfer thanks to Challenged Athletes Foundation. The many surf clinics have given him knowledge and the courage to learn to surf independently. This year he will be competing at the Duke’s Oceanfest adaptive competition in Hawaii. Kumaka is working hard to earn a spot on the USA surf team one day and earning a gold medal like his Mentors.