Kiwi Olympian Luuka Jones takes to the water for special cause

Olympic silver-medallist Luuka Jones is hoping to overcome illness ahead of this weekend's Oceania Championships in Auckland.

"I'm actually a bit under the weather this week, I've kind of lost my voice a little bit but I'm just looking forward to getting out there," Jones said.

She took the day off training and although she wasn't feeling her best, she hit the water with three special young athletes; eight-year-old Olivia Cormack-Neto who's visually impaired, nine-year-old Logan Howard who has Spina Bifida, and 12-year-old Matakorama Waipouri who has cerebral palsy.

"Kayaking is a great sport and for them to have the opportunity to come out and do it was really cool and I had so much fun."

Jones has two nominations at the upcoming Halberg Awards, an event aimed at recognising New Zealand's top athletes and raising money for the Halberg Disability Sports Foundation.

"It's always been a dream of mine actually to go to the Halberg Awards, it's the big thing for sport in New Zealand.

"To be nominated really blew me away."

Jones' toughtest rival this weekend is likely to be reigning world champion Jess Fox from Australia.

Fox won silver at the London Olympics and bronze behind Jones in Rio.

Heats start on Saturday morning, while the semi-finals and finals will be held on Sunday and Monday.

Newshub.