Still on a high after winning back to back Moomba Masters, it was straight to the airport for a flight to Perth for the Australian Wakeboard Nationals.
The Venue was the famous Bonney's Ski Park at Baldivis south of Perth where they have 5 lakes which are mainly used for waterskiing. The location was great and so was the weather.
I took my Moomba form into the comp and qualified straight through to the final. I pulled up with a slightly sore wrist which is something that I just can't seem to get right. Last year at Nationals I damaged it in the Semi and had an emergency MRI before the final. I was scheduled to fly to the US the next week to start my first full Pro Tour and that meant more to me than a Nationals Title. I rode with a heavily strapped wrist and managed to pull of the win then.
12 months later I ripped it again riding in the final. It caused me to fall on a Whirly 5 which is a basic trick for me but one that has a lot of wrist rotation. Adrenaline took over and I got up and landed it straight away, bit just couldn't ride my best and two falls saw me out. My goal of winning back to back Nationals as well was now over and I have to settle for 2nd place.
The next thing that happened was a bitter sweet victory when I was finally given a spot on the Wakeboard World Cup which is the Holy Grail of wakeboarding. Fully funded air and travel costs and guaranteed prize money for every rider. I was torn between my dream of riding the event and the risk of further injury that would impact on my US Tour.
I sought some advice from Dad, and a couple of people who I really respect and then I spoke to John Wickcliffe the President of Wakeboard Australia to advise him that I would not be taking up the invitation and would travel home for emergency treatment. John called me to the stage at Nationals presentations to tell the audience. I thought I was doing the right thing, but for many more people it seemed much bigger.
The end result of that decision was that Mitch Daniel got my place. I was so happy for Mitch and his family. He has always been a great competitor and I know how much time, effort and money a family invests to allow their kids to compete in this sport.
Once my wrist feels secure my next goal is to win Junior Men's at the Australian Cable Nationals in Penrith, and then it is off to Orlando at the start of May to kick off my US Tour.
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| Aussie Nats at Bonneys |
I took my Moomba form into the comp and qualified straight through to the final. I pulled up with a slightly sore wrist which is something that I just can't seem to get right. Last year at Nationals I damaged it in the Semi and had an emergency MRI before the final. I was scheduled to fly to the US the next week to start my first full Pro Tour and that meant more to me than a Nationals Title. I rode with a heavily strapped wrist and managed to pull of the win then.
12 months later I ripped it again riding in the final. It caused me to fall on a Whirly 5 which is a basic trick for me but one that has a lot of wrist rotation. Adrenaline took over and I got up and landed it straight away, bit just couldn't ride my best and two falls saw me out. My goal of winning back to back Nationals as well was now over and I have to settle for 2nd place.
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| Dylan Prideaux in Action |
I sought some advice from Dad, and a couple of people who I really respect and then I spoke to John Wickcliffe the President of Wakeboard Australia to advise him that I would not be taking up the invitation and would travel home for emergency treatment. John called me to the stage at Nationals presentations to tell the audience. I thought I was doing the right thing, but for many more people it seemed much bigger.
The end result of that decision was that Mitch Daniel got my place. I was so happy for Mitch and his family. He has always been a great competitor and I know how much time, effort and money a family invests to allow their kids to compete in this sport.
Once my wrist feels secure my next goal is to win Junior Men's at the Australian Cable Nationals in Penrith, and then it is off to Orlando at the start of May to kick off my US Tour.
How's your wrist now? Even though you didn’t reach the top 3 in the Australian finals, you stood your ground and you performed to the best of your abilities. You made your fans proud with your performance. Now is the time to just take a rest and let your wrist heal. I'm sure you're gonna hit higher in your US tour.
ReplyDeleteTed Muise
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