Bryce keeps pain at bay with passion for sport

PAIN does not get in the way of passion for water skier Bryce Zoratto.

Junior Sports Star young sporting spirit nominee Bryce Zoratto, 14 from Jamisontown was nominated for water skiing. Bryce has won the bridge to bridge and suffers from a spinal disease but still competes despite pain.

PAIN does not get in the way of passion for water skier Bryce Zoratto.

The 14-year-old from Jamisontown suffers from Scheuermann’s Disease, an abnormality of the spine, yet continues to take part in the extreme sport.

“I just keep it at. I think to myself, I might as well keep doing it because my back is always going to be sore,” the Young Sporting Spirit nominee told the Penrith Press.

For those who haven’t tried water skiing, Bryce said when taking a fall at fast speeds the water “is pretty much like concrete”.

“The more you do it then less it hurts, you get used to it,” he said, adding the excitement and adrenaline was well worth it.

Bryce, who trains a few afternoons a week and on weekends, always wears a brace and reaches speeds of about 110km/h.

Bryce Zoratto in action on the water.

His biggest success since taking up water skiing three years ago is winning the 2015 two-up Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic on the Hawkesbury River, in the U16 boys social class, with friend Jace Green.

He has also finished the Grafton Bridge to Bridge race in third place, where he was the youngest competitor in his age group.

“I hae been in heaps but my favourite is probably the Southern 80 down in Victoria, because there is 128 bends. It is the most fun race for the driver, observers and skiers.”

Four kilometres from the finish line the race was “red flagged” as an unexpected boat was on the water, but Bryce said he couldn’t wait for the 2016.

His father Rick Zoratto, who has also been a water skier, drives the boat to keep Bryce safe.

“He is so much more comfortable if I am driving — I know his capabilities,” Mr Zoratto said.

Young Sporting Spirit nominee Bryce Zoratto

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Categories are Junior Sports Star, Young Sporting Spirit, Team Spirit and Service to Sport

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