Fletcher Ball is looking to once again claim a national championship, this time at Cohuna. Photo: Langevad Sports Photography
The Australian National Barefoot Waterski Championships are coming to Cohuna, the sport’s Echuca-Moama stars not having far to travel in search of glory.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
About 110 competitors will compete at the national championships, held at Cohuna Ski Run River Reserve.
Slalom world number one and, the country’s top-ranked skier, Fletcher Ball will be chasing another qualification for the world titles, after finishing second at the 2024 world champs, which were interrupted by Hurricane Milton.
International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation Hall of Famer Brett Sands will also be on the water, returning to the Gunbower Creek course for the first time since he won the nationals there in 1996.
Sands is the slalom world number one in the 45+ category.
Brett Sands won the 1996 nationals at Cohuna.
Brad Shearer, the local organising committee chair and vice-president of the Victorian Barefoot Club, will also take to the water during the event.
The competition kicks off on Tuesday, April 14 and will run until Saturday morning, April 18, with a presentation dinner to follow at Moama Bowling Club on Saturday night.
A preview of the action to come will be held this Sunday, April 12, with an open invitational event to showcase the sport from noon-5pm.
There will also be an auction to secure a seat in the tow vehicle while the skiers perform a 20m+ inverted jump.
Ultimately, skiers are hoping to impress and earn a spot on the world championships team, with the international event to be held in Florida in October.
17°C