Jake's wave

Motivation and inspiration are the right words to describe the young Maltese triathlete, Jake Vella. This extraordinary 12-year-old boy who has been fighting constantly with determination against a rare disease that only affects 75 people in the world. Known as Rapid-onset Obesity with Hypothalamic dysfunction, Hypoventilation and Autonomic Dysregulation (ROHHAD), the disorder prohibits the body from processing food properly and causes a rapid-onset weight gain. For this reason, he had to take a break from his passion for the sport, triathlon.

Thankfully with the support of his family, friends and his coach Fabio Spiteri, he overcame the difficulties and continues to carry on his passion, as swimming is the only way he is able to fight the symptoms of this condition.

Inspired also by the legendary, athlete Neil Agius, who returned last July from Linosa to Xlendi after breaking the world record of 125.6 km non-stop swim. In the same way, he aims to raise awareness for the plastic pollution and animal abandonment. With this in mind, Jake has fought so hard to win the 100-kilometres marathon swim to raise funds to support the cause.

What else could we say? Jake, you have all the support of the 360° Blue team.

Let’s keep the wave going!