Hey World!

Over the years, many skiers have told me that Moomba is their favorite event and I have to get down to Australia some time. At the time, I didn’t think much of it and thought, how much better/different could it be to any other water ski event I have been to. Now that I am done with school I was able to go down under and experience Moomba. Now I know what everyone is talking about.

WOW! What an experience!!! I don’t even know where to start. At one point during the weekend, there was more than 200,000 people at the Moomba Festival. The Yarra River goes through the heart of Melbourne. On each side of the river, there are a ton of carnival/festival games, rides, booths etc. It reminds me of the California State Fair. People were EVERYWHERE!!!! Shores were lined and the lawn was packed like I have never seen it before. Families who have never seen skiing sat down with their kids and watch for 6 hours!! This event is great for our sport and we need more events like it. We need to find festivals to team up with or something that already has a big crowd. If you have an opportunity to come to Australia and go to Moomba, DO IT!!! It is well worth it.

Along with all the great stories I had heard all of the bad stories. Bad stories about how tough the Yarra can be. I trained in tough conditions on the Geelong River the week before the event. I felt ready for the Yarra. It was not as bad as everyone said. Organizers said it could have been the best conditions they have ever seen at Moomba. I felt really good out there. I was skiing an early line, keeping a tight line and was staying connected. I ended up falling around 5 ball at 38/11.25. I thought, and many others thought, I should of been scored 4.5.
Unfortunately I was scored 4.25. I contemplated protesting but in the end I didn’t. Part of me wishes I would have put up the money and protested. There were 30 skiers and they were taking 15 skier to the semi finals. I finished tied for 15th with Nate Smith. Since he has a higher world ranking, he advances and I got to watch the rest of the tournament from the shore. The 4.5 would have put me tied for 14th and I would have been in the 15th spot. I was happy with my performance just a little bummed about the controversy with what the judges scored me. But like my dad always says, “It doesn’t matter what sport, don’t leave it close enough where if a judge or referee makes a bad/questionable call, it will change the outcome.”

UNFORTUNATELY, on the fall I ruptured my ear drum. Right when I fell I knew something was wrong. I wasn’t in a lot of pain but it felt like I had ruptured it since I have done it before. By the time men’s slalom was over, I was in excruciating pain and knew it was time to head to the hospital. After a few hours there, it was confirmed that I had ruptured my ear drum. I have about 80% hearing loss right now in my left ear and it feels like there is something in your ear. It is pretty annoying. I am taking care of it by not getting any water in it and putting drops 3-4 times a day. I will be back on the water once I get home in a few days; even if it is with a swimming cap.

ITS ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY, I kept my head up and I enjoyed the rest of my week in Melbourne. I was able to get the full Moomba Masters/Festival experience. Overall, I had an amazing experience! We need to have more events like this!!! Thank you to all of the sponsors and everyone who helped put on the event. Keep an eye out for huge festivals/events that have some type of body of water we could put a course and jump in!

Thank you to Dan Oliver and Des Burke-Kennedy for taking some photos of me! They both have heaps of photos from Moomba on their Facebooks.