Sport
17 February, 2025
Peter Smith crowned 2024 Wimmera Sports Star of the Year
At 66 years of age, Peter Smith shows that age is no barrier to achieving sporting dreams. When you look at his resume, you can see why he was crowned the 2024 Wimmera Sports Star of the Year.
He represented Australia at the World Over-35 Waterski Championships in Spain, where he won bronze in the individual jump competition and was part of the Australian team that finished second overall.
Additionally, he finished second overall in the 2024 National Championships held in Mulwala, finishing second in the jump, third in tricks, and third in slalom. He is also the Victoria Over 65 record holder in the jump event.
Smith has been waterskiing for most of his life but only started competitive tournaments 10 years ago, at 55 years of age.
"It's always something I wanted to do, but being a farmer, it was always a busy time of the year, and I never had the opportunity to compete until I was semi-retired," Smith said.
Smith admits he didn't think he would win the award and was very excited and overwhelmed when he won. It has sunk in more now; he is proud and honoured with the award.
"There were so many good nominations, and I didn't think I was a good chance. I thought all the other nominees were great sportspeople and thought one of them would win," Smith said.
"It's nice to get recognised, and it's settled in now as I had a lot of people ring me and message me to congratulate me.
"I'm very proud. It's not an individual thing. It's the team around me. Mary, my wife, and the hours she has put in driving, travelling, and doing all those things, as well as the other people involved in ski clubs, who have also helped."
When asked how many hours Mary has put in, Smith replied, "A lot."
"The boat has 570 hours on it, and Mary has done most of the driving, and that's a lot of time sitting in the driver's seat and driving it for me to be floundering at the back, trying to improve," Smith said.
"We would also probably travel 10,000km a year locally and overseas. It's a lot of work involved, and Mary has been brilliant."
Smith said 2024 was his best year.
"It was a huge year for us, and I guess we have been working for 10 years, practising and slowly getting better," Smith said.
"To be selected for Australia, going to Spain and getting bronze in the jumps is special.
"Not only am I competing in my age group but also against people all over the world and people that live on their own lakes and train daily.
"It was good to go over in our winter and their summer and do well."
You need to be fit to waterski, and Smith highlighted some of the things he does and why the sport is good.
"I ride my bike 10km a day and go to the gym three times a week, and with the water skiing, it keeps you fit," Smith said.
"I enjoy keeping fit, which you can't waterski and not stay fit.
"It's also the people you meet, the places you travel to. All those things combined with the thrill of waterski jumping is a scary prospect but is part of the appeal."
Smith has some simple advice for anyone who wants to take up the sport.
"Find a club or somebody that knows what they are doing," Smith said.
"I couldn't recommend it highly enough to families as it is a good sport."
As for the future, Smith said he is eyeing the next world championships in Canada in 2026.
"I'd love to keep going for as long as possible," Smith said.
"When we went to the World Championships, people in their 80s were competing, and they were inspirational.
"My next major goal is Canada in 2026, and I look forward to it."