MOUNT Gambier wakeboarder Ben Bruhn has added to his impressive resume with another Wakeboard South Australia state title.
Bruhn has won two junior men’s titles previously, but stepped up to the 20-29 year-old age group to fend off those around him with an impressive ride at Renmark.
Just behind – in second place – was fellow Mount Gambier wakeboarder Matt McCallum.
“It was cool to have Matt up there,” Bruhn said.
“We have not had many people from down here get that involved in the sport, so it was good.
“He only started competing this season, but has been wakeboarding for a while.
“He has been coming to the last few competition and doing really well.”
Bruhn said while the competition had limited numbers he was pleased with his consistency throughout the season, which also earned him the Wakeboard SA Summer Shred 2017-18 season overall most consistent award in the Open Division.
While he had been consistent throughout each round, he was not overly pleased with his performance on the weekend.
“I went okay in the morning and seeded well for the finals, but in the afternoon I did not do quiet as good,” Bruhn said.
“But I got lucky because everyone else did the same.”
During the year, Bruhn said competitors are divided and ride in a division based on their skill.
“I was in the top division throughout the competitions this season, but there has not been many people come to the competitions,” he said.
“I was able to get on the podium each time, but it was not a massive deal due to the limited entrants.”
Bruhn began competing five years ago, his passion for the sport stemming from family trips to Robe early in his childhood.
“Mum and dad have always had a boat and a lot of my friends have had them too,” he said.
“We used to head down to Robe most weekends and ski at the lake down there.
“I was always keen on it when the weather started to improve and then went and did some lessons, slowly got better and then started competing.”
Bruhn will now gear up for the Wakeboard Nationals in Renmark next weekend.
However, he said he is not expecting big results from the competition.
“South Australia is not quite up to the level of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria,” he said.
“But it will be good to have a go.”
On the other hand, it was McCallum’s first time competing at the state titles.
“I was riding well leading up to the comp, so I just went in with a good mindset,” he said.
“It was my first time competing in the state titles, so I did not put too much pressure on myself.
Similar to Bruhn, McCallum said he did not ride as consistent as what he had hoped.
However, he was pleased with the end result.
“I was stoked with second place,” he said.
“It was good to get up there next to Benny.”
McCallum began competing late in the 2017-18 wakeboard season with little expectations.
“The state titles were my third time competing,” he said.
“It was all about just having a bit of fun, improving my riding and also meeting new people.
“I have been lucky to have our family shack at Swan Reach on the Murray river, so I have been into water sports all my life.
“But I have been more focused on wakeboarding in the last few years.”
With the Wakeboarding SA season now over, McCallum will prepare for next season’s competitions, which begin at the end of 2018.
