Aart Van Kooy Recovery Fund
Donation protected
On Sunday, October 7, 2018, Aart and a few friends set out to ride the Sam I Am trail, located in the Skaha Bluffs area. At the top of the climb, Aart snapped a few pictures and then ensured his dog, Enzo, was staying hydrated before beginning the descent. Near the bottom of Sam I Am, Aart's handlebar clipped a tree, sending him over the bars and into the ground face-first. The impact broke most of the bones in his face from the eye sockets down.
In an amazing feat of strength, Aart managed to remain calm and, with the help of friends, he walked down the rest of the singletrack before jumping on a bike to coast himself down to the road. He was first transported by ambulance to the hospital in Penticton and then, within hours, he was transferred to Kelowna, where he is currently in a medically-induced coma awaiting surgery.
Aart has been on and around bikes for most of his life. He has been successful in almost every racing discipline, from BMX, to downhill, to cross-country. He is also a wizard-like mechanic, a mentor, a coach, and a trainer. Through all of this, Aart has touched the lives of so, so many people, not only here in British Columbia, but truly worldwide. Aart is always the guy with a smile on his face who is willing to go that extra step to help you out. If you aren’t one to stop in to see Aart at the Bike Barn, you’ve probably bumped into him and his wife Kerry out on the trails with Enzo not far out in front or behind.
Aart's recovery time is uncertain at the moment, but the road to recovery will surely be long and expenses will quickly add up. For anyone that wants to help Aart out, feel free to stop in at The Bike Barn to drop off a card, cheque or cash and we at the Barn will pass it on to the Van Kooy's. If you cannot stop in, please use this GoFundMe page as an option to help. If you need any information you can call the Bike Barn (250-492-4140) or email me [email redacted]
In an amazing feat of strength, Aart managed to remain calm and, with the help of friends, he walked down the rest of the singletrack before jumping on a bike to coast himself down to the road. He was first transported by ambulance to the hospital in Penticton and then, within hours, he was transferred to Kelowna, where he is currently in a medically-induced coma awaiting surgery.
Aart has been on and around bikes for most of his life. He has been successful in almost every racing discipline, from BMX, to downhill, to cross-country. He is also a wizard-like mechanic, a mentor, a coach, and a trainer. Through all of this, Aart has touched the lives of so, so many people, not only here in British Columbia, but truly worldwide. Aart is always the guy with a smile on his face who is willing to go that extra step to help you out. If you aren’t one to stop in to see Aart at the Bike Barn, you’ve probably bumped into him and his wife Kerry out on the trails with Enzo not far out in front or behind.
Aart's recovery time is uncertain at the moment, but the road to recovery will surely be long and expenses will quickly add up. For anyone that wants to help Aart out, feel free to stop in at The Bike Barn to drop off a card, cheque or cash and we at the Barn will pass it on to the Van Kooy's. If you cannot stop in, please use this GoFundMe page as an option to help. If you need any information you can call the Bike Barn (250-492-4140) or email me [email redacted]
Organizer and beneficiary
Tara Grace Scott
Organizer
Penticton, BC
Kerry Van Kooy
Beneficiary