Gus van Hart, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

Cohuna is back on the national barefoot waterskiing map, with Sunday’s Oz Open drawing locals to Gunbower Creek ahead of the Australian titles’ long-awaited return to town.

The free exhibition event gave spectators an early look at the speed and spectacle to come before the 64th Australian National Barefoot Waterski Championships got under way on Tuesday at the Cohuna Ski Run Reserve. It is the first time the national titles have been held in Cohuna since 2001.

Sunday’s curtain-raiser ran from noon to 5pm and featured the Ladies Aggregate, Oz Open knockout rounds, an official opening ceremony and a winners presentation.

About 110 competitors were expected for the national championships, with some of the sport’s biggest names set to hit the water through to Saturday morning.

Echuca’s Fletcher Ball entered as the highest-ranked Australian and current world No.1 in slalom, while Hall of Fame inductee Brett Sands returned to Gunbower Creek for the first time since winning a national title there in 1996.

Both were chasing strong results ahead of Australian team selection for the world championships in Florida in October.

Organiser Suzie Shearer said the Oz Open had done exactly what it was designed to do.

“The event we held on the weekend was really to get locals involved outside of our barefoot skiing community,” she said.

“The buy-in from locals was amazing.”

Shearer said the strong turnout had helped build momentum heading into the national titles.

“On the weekend we held the Oz Open and the National Championships begin today (Tuesday),” she said.

She said local backing had been crucial in getting the event off the ground.

“Gannawarra Shire Council was as committed to this event as we are. From the event manager to the mayor. None of it could have been possible without them.”

There was also a strong local stamp on the opening weekend, with the event podium carved from river red gum.

“A cool thing is our podium, it is carved out of a river red gumtree,” she said.

Now, with the national titles under way and top skiers on the water, Cohuna has moved from hosting a preview to staging one of the sport’s biggest events.

The championships are backed by major sponsor Xtreme Marine Echuca and Mercury.

The Victorian Barefoot Waterski Club is hosting the competition and live streams and highlights of the event can be found on their YouTube channel.

Launching off a fibreglass ramp entertained the crowd.

Gunbower Creek is perfect for barefoot. However competitors still had to keep their wits about them or end up in the drink and lose points.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 16 April 2026.