World’s in Tayla’s wake
GOLD Coast teenager Tayla Simmonds has spent most of her life flying through the air.
The 13-year-old has been travelling the world competing in trick, jump and slalom waterskiing since she was two, in a bid to become the best.
After spending three months in America at a special ski school this month, Tayla is back on the Gold Coast for final preparations before heading to Chile for the under-17 world championships in January.
The Paradise Point junior, who is eighth in the world for the under18 division, said most of her training was spent perfecting her skills on the water rather than in a gym. “It’ss a lot of fu fun and I get to go e everywhere in the w world,” she said.
“My dream would be to win worlds one day.”
Tayla’s sporting endeavours aren’t cheap, with her parents paying about $1200 a week in travel and training expenses.
In a bid to help Tayla chase her dreams in Chile, a fundraising dinner and auction will be held at Bridges Pizza Tapas Bar next Tuesday.
Tayla’s mother Fiona Simmonds said they were proud of what their daughter had achieved.