Meet the local barefoot skier who came third in the world

Suncoast Christian College teacher Kelly Blank at the World Championships and below, at right.

A Rosemount woman, who seven years ago hadn’t even heard of barefoot waterskiing, has come third at the World Championships.

From left Georgia Mathis (2nd), Ashleigh Stebbeings (1st) and Kelly Blank (3rd.)

“I didn’t even know the sport existed at all,” said Kelly Blank. “Never heard of it. Never seen it. And I went camping with my cousins, and they were doing it and I figured I’d give it a try. And I absolutely axed myself three times in a row. Then I gave it a go six months later and I stood up! Ever since then I’ve been addicted. I absolutely love it.”

Kelly, who is a pre-kindergarten teacher at Suncoast Christian College, reaches speeds of up to 72km/hour in three events: trick, slalom and jump. 

“In slalom, I go forwards at 72 kilometers an hour because I’m crossing the wake on one foot, and then you switch feet and go back the other way. And then going backwards, I do the same thing on one foot but I go 66 kilometers an hour.

“You’re literally standing on water. It’s such an insane feeling. You just get so much joy and adrenaline out of it.”

Kelly said competitors were judged according to the difficulty of the tricks. “So the coolest trick I can do at the moment is a toe turn. Basically I stand on one foot and put the other foot in the toe strap, and then I let go with my hands, I then turn to the back on one foot without holding the handle.”

She said World Number 1 Ashleigh Stebbeings is her close friend but her goal is to one day claim the crown from the five-times world champion. 

“If I keep improving and keep chasing the top two in the world, Ashleigh Stebbeings and Georgia Mathis perhaps I will beat them one day.”

Kelly is sponsored by Property Lane Woombye, who also manage her property while she ventures overseas to USA, where she trains at the World Barefoot Center.

She finishes work on Fridays and drives to her coach’s house in Ipswich to train on weekends. Her worst injury was a broken femur in 2021. 

The World Barefoot Water Ski Championships were held in Mulwala, New South Wales from February 14-19.  Kelly came away with bronze overall, silver in tricks and a gold for team Australia overall. 

Kelly said she learned barefoot skiing on the Maroochy River and anyone interested in trying should search for local clubs on facebook and make contact.