Participating in Wakefest
Wakefest is an international wakeboarding competition held yearly in Singapore. 2013 had been a slow year in terms of progression for me. 2 injuries back to back meant I was out of the water a lot. Interesting how the injuries occurred when I was at my peak. In spite of a strained leg, I decided to take part in that year’s Wakefest, for the experience and with no expectation. I had taken part last year and crashed out quite miserably that I didn’t even make it to the finals. When I went to Putrajaya for the Malaysian International Waterski and Wakeboard competition, I found my redemption. I managed to complete my run and come in first.
Preparing for the Wakefest
There weren’t much improvement since then. I had been working a lot on getting my basics right and had not learnt many new tricks. Throw in the injuries and I’ve been really about Wakefest this year. I started to prepare only two weeks before. Although I said no expectations, looked like the coach had a different idea. I crashed out in 2012. So in 2013, I had to ride to win. It was the same category and not like I couldn’t do the tricks. He did have a point. It is a competition after all.
This thing called ‘nervousness’ always gets to me. My arms felt weak, my legs became like jelly and all this happened when the boat was pulling me to start my competition run. There were 12 competitors in all. The competition started with 2 heats. The top 3 from each heat would go straight to the semi finals. The remaining contestants got to ride again for a second chance in what was called the Last Chance Qualifiers (LCQ). The top 2 from the LCQ would move on to the semi finals. The semi finals would have 8. Whereby 2 would be cut out to have 6 contestants for the finals.
During the Last Chance Qualifiers
I was second last to go in the second heat. That mean I saw everyone else ride. Competition was much stiffer in 2012, I had to ride well. But all I could think of was how the big wake of the boat threw me off last year. Thank goodness for the Last Chance Qualifiers. For I rode so badly I scored the second last of 12. I managed a better ride in the Last Chance Qualifiers and made it to the semi finals by the skin of my teeth. I was seeded last.
Now, it was game on. I cannot take part in a competition and not be competitive. This is what I signed up for. This is where I show off the goods. The next morning was the semi finals. One contestant from each heat would be out. I needed to make sure it wasn’t me. The survival instincts kicked in and I actually completed my run without falling. I was excited and gave the others a run for their money. Finals here I come.
The finals were not so exciting. Everyone didn’t ride so well and neither did I. We all did not complete our run. Even so, lucky me came in second. The winner, 14 year old Jia Yi had been riding flawlessly and her ride in the finals was no different. She was the most consistent of us all and that is why she won. Consistency, let us be friends : )
Here is a video of Wakefest Singapore 2013:
https://youtu.be/GMGE8ykTT68
