Barefoot preparation: Fletcher Ball (front left), Brett Sands (back left), Ash Stebbeings (back centre), Ben Groen, and Keenan Derry (front right) enjoy a spot of barefoot bowls at Moama Bowling Club as they prepare to compete at the World Barefoot Championships. Photo: Josh Huntly
A 14-strong Australian squad will compete at the pinnacle of barefoot water skiing when its World Barefoot Championships campaign kicks off at Max Kirwan Lakes in Mulwala on Tuesday.
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The Aussies are hoping to clinch their first world title since the 2018 triumph in Canada, competing against the likes of the USA, New Zealand and Germany from February 14-19.
The ageless Brett Sands looks set to compete at his 11th World Championships, but it will be his first time wearing the tag of team coach.
After the 2020 championships were cancelled due to COVID-19, Sands said Australia would boast a strong team in the return event, including young gun Fletcher Ball in his debut.
“The Aussie team looks really strong with Keenan (Derry) top two in the world and Ash (Stebbeings) the world number one,” Sands said.
“The team scoring is a big thing at the Worlds; they’ll be our two main scorers at the event.
“Never underestimate the Kiwis or the US teams, they have got some good skiers.”
Ball will compete at his first World Championships after a glittering run on the national stage and will come in with some record-breaking form at his back.
The 2020-21 Echuca-Moama junior sportstar winner set a new Oceania junior boys barefoot water-ski trick record back in December, scoring 7400 in the discipline.
Flying high: Fletcher Ball launches himself off the jump during the Australian Championships. Photo: Kym Bond
Photo by
Kym Bond
“Fletcher’s a red hot favourite,” Sands said.
“He’s in the open team, but he’ll only ski in slalom. His goal is to try and win the juniors.
“We’ll get around him and give him heaps of support.”
Preparations have been tricky for the Aussies, with flooding late in 2022 making it difficult to hit the water.
“Preparations been a bit complicated with the river and having to travel up to Mulwala, Gunny and Cohuna before Christmas,” Sands said.
“It made it tough to get up and go for a quick rip.
“That’s just the commitment, sacrifice and dedication you need if you want to be at the top.”
For the Australians tapped to battle it out for honours, Sands explained the World Championships provided the ultimate test.
“When you’re in a sport, you’re passionate about it, and you get all the best men and women in that sport together, it’s just awesome.
“There’s a fair bit on the line. I remember when I was Keenan’s age it was just all or nothing.
“It would be awesome to get some local support heading over to back the Aussies and to check out the event.”
Bare-footers will compete in tricks, slalom and jumps qualifying from Tuesday to Thursday, with finals kicking off next Friday at 11am.
The popular night jump spectacular under lights will commence at 8pm on Saturday before Sunday finals determine who takes barefoot skiing’s biggest crown.
Local business Moama Bowling Club will also be sponsoring the event for the first time.
