Australian competitor and World Champion Jason Sleep, training at the Max Kirwan Ski Park for this week’s IWWF World Disabled Water Ski Championships.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
On the eve of the IWWF World Disabled Water Ski Championships, Australian and world champion Jason Sleep is aiming to overcome a recent injury—multiple fractures to his vertebrae from a snow-skiing accident—to once again break his own records on the water.
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Sleep, who jokingly calls himself a “lunatic,” has become an inspirational figure in adaptive sport. After becoming a paraplegic in a quad bike accident and later undergoing a leg amputation due to ongoing complications, his determination has never wavered.
He appeared as a guest speaker at a community breakfast at the Mulwala Water Ski Club last week, an event that also served as the official launch of the World Disabled Water Ski Championships.
Sleep, who lives in Bendigo, has always felt most at home on the water, loving the feeling of waterskiing. But when his accident left him with a disability in his teens, he believed that part of his life was over.
His doctors told him his competitive days had ended, and even friends doubted he would return to the sport.
At the official launch last week was Mulwala Water Ski Club Executive Greg Roberts, Facility and Development Manager Matthew O’Dwyer, World Disabled Water Ski Championships Event Director Noel Dix and Australian representative Jason Sleep.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
After years of surgeries and rehabilitation, Sleep pulled himself out of some very dark times, rebuilt his fitness, and returned to his passion.
His first attempts back on skis did not go smoothly, and he fell more times than he could count. But each fall only strengthened his resolve.
“I couldn’t see myself doing anything else, so I was determined to make it happen,” Sleep said.
“I also love my snow skiing, and I represented Australia at the worlds in that too.”
Before long, he was not only competing in adaptive tournaments but winning them.
Training harder than anyone, he adapted with remarkable precision and power, breaking world records along the way.
But more recently, he suffered a major setback when a snow ski snapped during a jump, sending him crashing hard. He fractured multiple vertebrae, among other injuries and has only just returned to competition.
“That’s me, I just do silly things,” he said with a grin.
“I set myself a goal, and once I hit it, I move to the next one.”
The 54-year-old told last week’s breakfast that his next goal was to fly a plane, after joking that he’d like to pole vault.
The Max Kirwan Ski Park is now gearing up to host some of the world’s most elite adaptive water skiers from Thursday, November 27, to Sunday, November 30.
“You’ll witness world-class performances in slalom, trick and jump events,” Sleep said.
“Every competitor has an amazing story. It’s extraordinary skill and sheer determination that gets them out there.”
Sleep said that watching vision-impaired skiers go over the jump, or ski through a virtual slalom course, was something truly special.
The event, hosted by the Mulwala Water Ski Club, marks a major highlight on the international adaptive sports calendar. The IWWF’s decision to stage the championships at Max Kirwan Ski Park, just minutes from town, has been met with excitement throughout the local community.
This is the second time the World Disabled Water Ski Championships have been held in Mulwala, when in 1995 Australia finished third behind Great Britain and the USA.
Event Director Noel Dix said the event has attracted competitors from six different countries—the USA, Canada, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands and Australia.
“Basically, from a spectator viewpoint, they're going to see the world's best disabled water skiers in action,” Mr Dix said.
“It’s an honour to have these incredible athletes competing on our waters,” Mulwala Water Ski Club Ski Coordinator Pete O’Neill said.
“We’d love the community to come out and be part of this event because it’s water skiing like you haven’t seen before, and every person skiing has an amazing story.”
Spectators will have the chance to meet competitors, hear their inspiring journeys, and experience the electric atmosphere up close.
Event Details
> What: IWWF World Disabled Water Ski Championships
> When: 27–30 November, 2025
> Where: Max Kirwan Lakes, Mulwala
> Times: 8:30am – 4:00pm daily
> Free entry
> Facilities: Bar, Café, Car Park, Coach Parking, Family-Friendly Areas, Kiosk, Public Toilets.
