Spalding siblings take home world medals
Trio from Bridgenorth earn six medals at World Wake Association’s Wakeboard World Championships
Three Bridgenorth siblings are proving to be among the world’s best young wakeboarders.
Wyatt Spalding, 9, sister Avery, 11, and brother Cameron, 13, combined for six medals at the World Wake Association’s Wakeboard World Championships at the Mayan Water Complex in Playa del Carmen, Mexico from Oct. 17 to 20.
Wyatt won a gold medal in the boys nine-and-under boat division and bronze in traditional cable.
Cameron won a silver medal in the boys 10-13 cable features, bronze in traditional cable and placed fourth in boat.
Avery won bronze medals in girls 10-13 traditional cable and cable features and finished sixth in boat.
Parents Todd and Rebecca Spalding grew up on water competing in wakeboarding and water skiing and introduced their children to water sports from young ages at residences on Belmont Lake and Chemong Lake.
This was not their first time competing at world championships. They twice competed at worlds when it was hosted in Toronto in 2016 and ’17 with Wyatt and Avery also winning gold medals two years ago. They missed the 2018 worlds in Japan.
This was their first time competing outside of Canada which enhanced the feeling of competing on an international stage.
“It was super awesome,” said Wyatt, who is in Grade 4 at Chemong Public School.
“I liked it more because it wasn’t in Canada and felt like more of a challenge. There was a little bit more bounce back on the waves and the boat wake was a little bit smaller. It was just cool competing against other cultures.”
“It was definitely different with the heat,” said Cameron, a Grade 9 student at Adam Scott Collegiate.
“The humidity definitely made a big difference because it makes you tired so much quicker when you are not used to it. You also have to adjust to the time change and being in a place you don’t normally ride near. The water felt different, too. It sounds weird to say hat but that’s how it was.”
“It was a lot more stressful,” said Avery, who is in Grade 7 at Chemong Public, “but it was also really cool to meet new people from around the world and compete against them.”
Wyatt is proud of his accomplishment.
“It felt awesome when I came on top of the podium. It was one of the best feelings I ever had,” he said. “I am super proud of myself for learning all these tricks.”
Wyatt said wakeboarding the family passion.
“My dad and my mom started us early and it just became a thing for us,” he said.
“It felt really cool that all of the family won medals. My brother and sister are really good. They are the people who motivate me.”
“It was pretty cool that we all did well and I’m happy for both my brothers,” said Avery. “I was pretty proud of myself, I wish I is could have put down a boat run but I’m happy I got podium in cable.”
“It’s pretty awesome that everyone is competing at such a high level,” said Cameron, “and we can ride with everybody else our age around the world and come out on top or close to it.”
It was Cameron’s first medals at worlds.
“It definitely felt pretty good. The last couple of times at worlds my riding hasn’t been amazing. This time I did my stuff and was lucky enough to get on the podium,” he said.
The family gets help offsetting costs from a number of sponsors including Cottage Toys, Ronix Wakeboards, Oakley, Quiksilver, Roxy and Follow Wake. They also work closely with Pride Marine Group and Nautique boats.