To qualify to compete in World championships is a major feat but to qualify alongside your three siblings is incredible.
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This is the reality for Bundalong’s Peebles family with Zali, Macy, Ayden and Zeke all gearing up to compete at the 2023 IWWF World Barefoot Championships at the Max Kirwan Ski Park next week, February 14 – 19.
As Mulwala has the biggest ski club in the world and arguably the best water ski venue in the world, this is the ideal location for the championships to be held for over 250 competitors from eight countries.
And the Peeble’s definitely aren’t complaining.
Nineteen-year-old Zali, 14-year-old Ayden and 12-year-old Zeke have all qualified as independent skiiers with 17-year-old Macy to compete as part of the Australian team.
Currently Zali lives on the Gold Coast, working as a water-ski performer at SeaWorld. She trains on the Coomera River at Oxenford with Gizella Halasz, an Australian and World Champion.
Zali has competed at six National Championships since 2017 and in that time has won four times; Two sub junior Girls, two Junior Girls and was Runner up in Under 23 women's division in 2022 as well as competing at two Oceania titles.
Zali is now ranked third in the world in Under 23 women’s and ranked 11th in open women.
“My favourite event is jump. I love all the people I get to meet on my barefooting journey and my ultimate goal is become a world champion one day,” Zali said.
Her younger sister Macy, who will turn 18 during the championships, is the only Peeble family member to compete as part of the Australian team at the worlds but is looking forward to the challenge.
Macy has competed at Nationals Championships since 2017 and is the current Junior Girls Champion.
She is ranked first in the world for junior girls and after this tournament she will move into the Under 23 Women’s division with older sister Zali.
“We started skiing at a very young age, around two or three years old as Mum and Dad have lived in Bundalong our whole lives and always had a boat,” Macy said.
While barefoot water skiing is an acquired skill and it is not a widely popular sport across the globe, there is still the opportunity to travel far and wide to compete.
“Barefooting has taken us all over Australia, Perth, Adelaide, Liverpool, Mackay, Gold Coast and all over Victoria from Boggy Creek to Echuca to Columbo creek,” Macy said.
“It’s also been great that we have been able to meet so many people during the years and have formed lifelong friendships along the way.
“We joined the Mulwala Ski Show team in 2014 and it was through that we found out about the Victorian Barefoot club.
“I have now competed at six national titles and two oceania titles but this will be my first worlds.
“I was selected to compete on the Junior team at this worlds by the Australian selectors.
“Barefooting is definitely not for the faint hearted, learning new tricks and perfecting the perfect one-foot slalom can involve some hard crashes on the water, but with the help and encouragement of everyone we all go back and have another go.”
Parents Heath and Amanda have played a big part in their children’s involvement in the sport with Heath taking the siblings out on the water whenever he is able.
“Dad takes us out skiing at Bundalong when he can before work or after, and on weekends,” Macy said.
“Over summer we book the ski parks sometimes as its too busy at Bundalong to train.
“Twice a week we go to the ski park and get coached by Pete O’Neill, my brothers come as well.
“My ultimate goal is to win a world title which I am hoping to do at these championships at home in Mulwala.”
Fourteen-year-old Ayden competed at his first nationals in 2018 and is looking forward to the worlds while hopefully recording a personal best.
Although Ayden and younger brother Zeke are bottom aged in the Junior Boys division, to be skiing at this level is an experience never to forget as they will be rubbing shoulders with some of the best skiers in the world.
“I haven’t won a championship yet, but I have won a few medals over the years. I am aiming to get a PB at these worlds in Slalom,” Ayden said.
Youngest Peeble sibling, 12-year-old Zeke is currently the Sub Junior Boys National champion as well as taking on the honour in 2021.
Zeke skied at his first Nationals in 2018 aged eight and loves the toe-up start as it gives him plenty of points.
“My favourite event is tricks,” Zeke said.
“At this world titles Zali, Ayden and I have qualified as independent skiers.
“We all had to get scores that were higher than the qualifying scores for the event.”
Both Heath and Amanda are greatly invested in the sport and understandably incredibly proud of the achievements of their children with a busy week incoming watching all compete on the world stage.
“As parents of these talented kids we are so proud of their achievements and the effort they put into their barefooting,” Amanda said.
“It has shaped the way they are today, resilient humble and all-round great people.”
Schedule of events appear on page 27 with photos and results in next week’s Yarrawonga Chronicle.
For competition start times click here
Barefooters ready to take on the world
Journalist