SIMON SICKINGER SET TO COMPETE AT THE 2024 BAREFOOT WORLDS
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is excited to announce that Simon Sickinger, a dedicated barefoot water skier from Muskoka, Ontario, will be competing at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships. The event will take place from October 5-12, 2024, in Auburndale, Florida.
Simon will proudly represent Canada on the U23 Canadian Team, competing in the Trick and Slalom events. Having competed in barefoot water skiing for four years, Simon continues to push his limits and achieve personal bests, including 6.5 points in Slalom and 1030 points in Trick.
No stranger to international competition, Simon previously competed at the World Barefoot Water Ski Championships in Australia. Reflecting on the experience, Simon’s favourite barefoot-related memory is traveling to Australia with his family.
Simon’s journey into barefooting began at the age of eight, thanks to his father, who introduced him to the sport. Now a seasoned competitor, Simon’s goal for the future is to master turns, further enhancing his skills on the water.
An interesting fact about Simon is that he currently attends school in British Columbia, balancing his academic pursuits with his commitment to barefoot water skiing. As he prepares for the World Championships, Simon is looking forward to reconnecting with friends and competitors from around the world and soaking in the Florida atmosphere.
Event Details:
Event: 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships
Location: Auburndale, Florida
Dates: October 5-12, 2024
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
2023 WSWC JUNIOR BAREFOOT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) is thrilled to announce Simon Sickinger as the recipient of the 2023 Junior Barefoot Athlete of the Year award. Simon’s journey into the world of watersports began at a young age and eventually led him to excel in barefoot skiing and represent Canada on the international stage.
Growing up in Muskoka, Simon Sickinger was no stranger to the allure of sport. From hockey to downhill skiing, and mountain biking, Simon embraced a variety of sports with enthusiasm. However, it was his introduction to water skiing at the age of 5 that sparked his passion for the water. By the age of 8, Simon was already barefooting alongside his siblings on Lake of Bays, Muskoka.
Simon’s journey in barefooting took a significant turn at the age of 14 when he began working at Lake of Bays Marina, where he was fortunate to meet Liam Alrich, a professional water skier and the owner of the marina. Under Liam’s guidance, Simon honed his barefoot skills, dedicating countless hours of training. Liman’s unwavering commitment to the sport and his tireless efforts to mentor Simon and other enthusiasts left an indelible mark on Simon’s journey. From here, Simon ventured into competitive barefoot skiing, participating in competitions locally and internationally. His journey reached new heights in February 2023 when he was a member of the Junior Team representing Canada at the World Barefoot Waterski Championships in Australia.
Along the way, Simon has made many great friendships from around the world. The camaraderie within the barefoot community serves as a testament to the sport’s inclusive and supportive nature.
Congratulations to Simon on this well deserved award!