BAREFOOT ‘KING’ ON THE RISE…

MITCHELL King of Barrack Heights plans to use his passion for winning to make it to the top of Barefoot Water skiing.

The 16 year old started water skiing at the age of six and has been barefooting for two years and competing for only six months.

Since then Mitchell has experienced a high level of success after finishing first in the slalom, second in tricks and second overall at the NSW titles held in Liverpool back in March.

Then stepping up to compete in the nationals in Renmark, South Australia where he achieved a personal best in the slalom and finished sixth overall.

The results in such a short space of time are impressive, even more so when Mitchell explains the judging.

There are three judges in the boat and you are judged on a combination of slalom and tricks over two 15 second runs, he said.

There are also style points and they add up your overall score. There is points for jumping once you reach a certain level but I dont jump, added Mitchell.

Mitchell knows that the chances of him winning a national title and pursuing an international career are impossible, without setting a clear goal for the future.

My top goal is to jump in competitions and in five years time I still hope to be skiing barefoot and hopefully be national champion.

My dream would be to go international, he added.

Mitchell was introduced to the sport by Norm Brown from Balgownie and would like to thank Ray, Ernie, Johnno, Hayley, Jason, Paul, Larko, Chad and most of all his Dad, who also happens to be his sponsor.

The sport is extremely social and competitions regularly feature a vocal crowd, air horns and mega phones, which are the perfect ingredients for that adrenaline rush that Mitchell loves so much.