feed your ADDICTION
#YOUAREWHATYOUEAT
The truth is, some people do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
By adding in that little ‘extra’, that’s truly when the magic happens.
That little extra, it’s that which inspires us. Powering our bodies with the best to achieve our greatness.
We are extremely proud to sponsor and support those who energise us, chasing adventure every day.
Meet Maxwell and Jacqueline Kennedy, our esteemed and newest Brand Ambassadors.
This dynamic brother-sister duo from Gisborne, are not only national and international standouts in the demanding arenas of kayak sprint racing and surf lifesaving but also exemplify the pursuit of excellence in all facets of their lives. At 18 and 17 respectively, Maxwell, Gisborne Boys High Head Prefect with aspirations for a future in engineering, and Jacqueline, a high-achieving Year 12 student at Gisborne Girls High and former Junior Dux, both demonstrate an unwavering commitment to their academic pursuits and their athletic endeavors.
The Kennedy siblings boast an impressive testament to their dedication, having secured multiple national titles in their respective age divisions for both surf lifesaving and kayak racing. For the past two years, they have proudly represented New Zealand on the world stage as Canoe Racing NZ representatives, recently demonstrating their formidable talent at the ICF Junior & U23 World Championships in Portugal, placing amongst the world’s elite. Jacqueline’s remarkable ascent is further highlighted by her recognition as the 2024 Canoe Racing New Zealand Junior Athlete of the Year, particularly impressive given her relatively recent start in kayak paddling. Their shared success extends to the Asia Pacific Cup, where, as 15 and 16-year-olds, they captured gold and silver medals in their age divisions.
Beyond the rhythm of the paddle, surf lifesaving remains a profound passion for Maxwell and Jacqueline, a sport they have embraced from early days with their father. Progressing through nippers to senior squads, they now contribute as trained lifeguards, with Jacqueline making her debut for the New Zealand “Black Fins” at the International Surf Rescue Challenge later in 2025.
We are thrilled to support the journey toward their Olympic dreams and proudly welcome them to the Ovation family.
“Every champion has an addiction. To excellence. To power. To flavour.
Fuel it with the best – pure New Zealand lamb, the fuel of champions.”
JACQUELINE KENNEDY
— THE STATS —
Canoe Racing NZ
JUNIOR ATHLETE
OF THE YEAR 2024
ASIA PACIFIC
SPRINT CUP
2024 & 2025
ICF JUNIOR & U23
WORLD CANOE SPRINT CHAMPS
2024 & 2025
SLSNZ
NZ JUNIOR
BLACK FINS 2025
maxwell KENNEDY
— THE STATS —
Canoe Racing NZ
NZ KAYAK SPRINT
REPRESENTATIVE
2023/24/25
ASIA PACIFIC
SPRINT CUP
2024
ICF JUNIOR & U23
WORLD CANOE SPRINT CHAMPS
2025
some quick fire questions to learn more about JACQUELINE AND MAXWELL
EARLIEST MEMORY OF BEING ON THE WATER
Maxwell: Surfing with my dad is my earliest memory, but we were always in the water —swimming, at the beach, surfing, or paddling. That’s just life in Gisborne. My first kayaking session focused on learning to stay upright in the slim boat, and we were encouraged to kayak as part of our Surf Lifesaving competition training.
DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS THAT YOU DO BEFORE YOU COMPETE?
Jacqueline: My competition ritual centres on preparation and focus. I pack my bag the night before, organise my lunchbox, and make sure I have plenty of food and dry towels. I love painting my nails in my club or country colours – it’s become a special tradition for me.
The day before, I always do a pre-session to get in the right mindset, and on competition day, I never skip my warm-up or stretching. And, as a quirky finishing touch, I enjoy a cup of tea before I head to the starting line.
WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL QUOTE THAT DRIVES YOU
Maxwell : “Empty the tank – give it all you got!”
We have always been taught to enjoy ourselves while competing, and smiling is a great way to remind yourself that sport is about enjoyment.
MOST MEMORABLE PADDLING EXPERIENCE
Jacqueline: At the recent World Championships, I achieved a personal best of 1:55.08 in a very tough semi-final, racing alongside some of the world’s best U18 paddlers. While I was disappointed to miss out on the A Final, I was thrilled to post such a fast time and then went on to convincingly win the B Final.
I also had the incredible opportunity to race in the Open K2 with Aimee Fisher (an Olympic paddler) at the 2025 National Championships at Karapiro, New Zealand. Sharing a boat with such an experienced and fast Olympian was an awesome experience – and together, we won both the Open 200m and 500m events.
Another highlight was winning the U17 Individual National Title in Surf Ski at the 2025 Nationals. This had been a major goal of mine all season, and after dreaming about it for the past two years, it felt surreal to finally achieve it.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE BEING AN ELITE ATHLETE WITH YOUR STUDIES?
Maxwell: I work hard to figure out what works best for me, staying organised and keeping to a solid schedule. I’ve discovered that collaborating and communicating with my teachers is essential to getting everything done. It’s been important not only to be dedicated during extra study hours, but also to stay actively involved in the extracurricular leadership activities that are part of my role as Head Prefect at Gisborne Boys’ High School this year.
FAVOURITE EVENT OR PLACE TO PRACTICE
Jacqueline: I loved paddling on the lake in Banyoles in Spain – it was a truly special place to spend two weeks preparing for the World Championships. Still, there’s something unique about being on our own Waimata River or in the surf at Midway Beach back home in Gisborne. We know that river and beach better than anywhere else – they’re home.
FAVOURITE LAMB DISH
Jacqueline: We grew up enjoying fantastic lamb dishes, from classic chops to hearty roasts. Lately, our new favourite has been honey and lemon lamb racks, especially when made with Ovation lamb racks. It’s a delicious way to combine my favourite flavours into one dish.
Maxwe: I love a good slow-cooked lamb shank, served with plenty of gravy, mashed potatoes, and broccoli – it’s simply the best!
ADVICE ON WHAT HAS HELPED YOU TO GET WHERE YOU ARE
Maxwell: Be consistent in everything you do. Reliability, diligence, and sticking to good habits will take you a long way. Always show respect to your coaches – they have so much knowledge to share. It’s important to thank them after every session!
So why Ovation and TEAM KENNEDY?
Our mission is to inspire the world through exceptional nutrition and good health, provided through New Zealand’s finest lamb.
Ovation is proud to sponsor the Kennedy siblings, a talented paddling duo making big waves! This partnership allows us to showcase the remarkable health benefits and nutritional value of Ovation lamb, emphasising that you are what you eat and illustrating how premium, protein-rich lamb fuels champions in their pursuit of greatness.
This collaboration is a fantastic way to connect with our farming partners, customers, and consumers from all walks of life — whether you are a dedicated athlete or someone who prefers a more relaxed lifestyle. Every day, ordinary people can thrive by incorporating one of Mother Nature’s greatest superfoods into their diets, helping them reach their full potential.
We can all relate to a young person who believes in themselves and is determined to pursue their dreams, striving for the extraordinary. Whether you are that individual, a parent, a friend, or a grandparent, our shared passion for living life to the fullest unites us all.
MEAT THE CHAMPION
It’s that little ‘extra’ in lamb that creates the magic – a true protein punch
Lamb is nature’s power pack, offering such a lot in a little.
Its unique blend of essential nutrients means that even a moderate portion can make a significant contribution to your daily nutritional needs. Lamb is a rich source of highly absorbable and digestible protein, providing all the essential amino acids for DNA repair and muscle synthesis.
But grass-fed lamb offers much more than just protein and iron. It’s an outstanding source of bioavailable zinc and vitamin B12 and also supplies selenium, vitamin D, and a broad spectrum of B vitamins. It contains monounsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are important for optimal health. A notable portion of the lipids in lean lamb are phospholipids, which provide choline to support normal fat and homocysteine metabolism. When trimmed of visible fat, lamb is low in total fat and saturated fatty acids.
Incorporating lamb into your diet may help promote muscle growth, maintenance, and performance while also helping to prevent anaemia. It supplies the key nutrients needed for healthy growth and development in childhood, and supports well-being throughout adulthood and into older age1.
1. Source: Beef and Lamb NZ.
