Zak Mills-Goodwin, Campbell Harrson, Oceana Mackenzie: Top 30+ up and coming Victorian daredevils
They tackle steep hills, terrifying jumps, Snowy Mountains and rock walls — meet the 30+ young athletes taking on extreme sports.
Bass Coast News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bass Coast News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Few have the nerve to take on such extreme sports as these Victorians.
Some climb, others ride or jump but they all share one thing in common — a need for an adrenaline hit, and they get it through sport.
Here are the top 30+ daredevils in Victoria.
Zak Mills-Goodwin: Upper Ferntree Gully downhill skating
Zak Mills-Goodwin is a 26-year-old downhill skateboard racer from Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria.
He has travelled around the world to compete on the world circuit for the past six years.
He has also represented Australia at the World Roller games in Barcelona, Spain where he finished 7th.
This November he is headed to the World Skate Games in Argentina where he hopes to place well.
He credits growing up in the Mt Dandenong area for giving him his start in the skating world.
He said the hilly terrain gave him the “skills to take to the world stage” to compete against the best.
Zak hopes downhill skateboarding will become an Olympic sport in the future so he can have the opportunity to compete for Australia.
Campbell Harrison: Sport Climbing Victoria
Campbell Harrison, 24, started climbing four years before he started competing in the sport.
He found a love for wanting to better himself as a climber at a training camp in 2012. They were far below the standard they thought they were at, and so they made it their mission to sort out their weaknesses and train as hard as they could.
It led him to qualify for the Australian youth team.
He has now been an Australian youth and open team member with Sports Climbing Victoria for many years.
They have their sights set on the world cups and the world championships as well the 2024 Olympics.
Sports Climbing Victoria said “when you think of competition climbers, his name is at the forefront of Australian competition climbing”.
He has held the National Lead Championship Title in his youth category since 2013.
Their home club is Bayside Rock Climbing in Carrum Downs and his proudest achievements include making the lead semi-finals in the 2014 World Youth Championships in Noumea, New Caledonia where he finished 15th.
He also said winning the senior national lead championships in 2015 was something he was proud of.
Oceana Mackenzie: Sport Climbing Victoria
Oceana Mackenzie, 20, from Warrandyte has been hooked on Sport Climbing since she was eight years old after her mum took her and her sisters climbing.
Once old enough to join the local squad, it only took six months before Mackenzie was entering her first competitions.
She was a 2020 Olympian in sport climbing’s first inclusion to the Olympics.
Oceana has placed first in all three disciplines — lead, speed and boulder for so many years she’s lost count.
At 15, Oceana was granted wildcard entries into the senior events and would often beat other competitors who were much older.
Oceana went on to compete at her first world cup event in Hachioji and made the semi-finals for bouldering and lead.
At the 2019 Bouldering World Cup in Switzerland she placed sixth, a result she considers to be a career highlight.
Only one other Australian female in history has achieved a final result in the sport, and she joins only a handful of males who have done the same.
Oceana is a favourite for the 2024 Olympic team for Australia in sport climbing.
She is a “really competitive person” and loves competing against the wall – assessing it and then trying to figure out how to do the climb and complete it. She said it takes “smarts, speed, strength and flexibility”.
Grace Crowley 18 – Sport Climbing Victoria
Grace Crowley competed recently in the world games in Alabama, USA. Grace also recently competed in the world cup circuit competing in both boulder and speed.
Grace is working to decrease their speed times to become one of Australia’s best on the speed circuit with a goal to make the 2024 Olympics in speed climbing for Australia.
Grace was introduced to climbing through a friend in 2106 when a gym opened in their home town in Montana.
They now train at Northside Boulders in Abbotsford.
In 2021 Grace attended the youth and open world championships in Russia then headed to Korea‘s world cup competing in boulder and speed disciplines.
Araminta McLennan: Sports Climbing Victoria
Araminta ‘Minty’ McLennan, 28, was born with cerebral palsy and competed this year in her first ever paraclimbing world cups.
After discovering climbing was an ideal way to leverage her upper-body strength, Minty said climbing also gave her a sense of belonging in a welcoming community.
Minty will keep training for the paraclimbing world championships next year and hopes paraclimbing can be an Olympic sport in the 2028 paralympics.
Minty is also determined to keep working towards making finals in the future world cup paraclimbing events.
Jaime Wong: Sport Climbing Victoria
Jamie Wong recently took out the youth C lead and bouldering at the Australian youth championship and one to keep an eye on over the next few years.
Next year will be the first year Jaime can try out for the Australian youth team and Sports Climbing Victoria “can’t wait” to see how she performs.
In 2019 Jamie placed 1st in the youth D female at the Paddy Pallin Tasmanian state lead titles and the Pirate Life 2019 SA state lead titles and 2nd youth D female at the Mammut 2019 QLD youth state lead titles.
Maya Stasiuk: Sports Climbing Victoria
Maya Stasiuk, 14, trains at Bayside Rock Climbing.
She consistently wins her age group in bouldering and lead.
Previously she has won the combined in nationals.
Sports Climbing Victoria said she was “super competitive from a young age”.
This year Maya will wear the green and gold for the first time for the Australian youth team in the world youth championships in Dallas, Texas.
Jimmy Smyrk: Sport Climbing Victoria
Jimmy Smyrk has been climbing since 2014 and recently placed 2nd at the Australian youth championships in lead and 4th in bouldering.
This will be Jimmy’s first year on the Australian youth team.
Jimmy has been on the rise for the past few years and Sports Climbing Victoria said after the Covid-19 break they were looking forward to seeing him at nationals competing where he is not likely to disappoint.
Claire Cheffings: Sports Climbing Victoria
Claire Cheffing is a young climber who did exceptionally well at youth nationals.
She also made the Australian youth team for bouldering this year by finishing 2nd at the Australian youth championships.
Claire will be heading to Dallas for the world youth championships this year.
Sarah Larcombe: Sport Climbing Victoria
Sarah Larcome from Melbourne is looking forward to vying for a place on the Australian paraclimbing team for the first time.
Sarah has her sights set on the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) circuit, and would like to see paraclimbing included in the Olympic Games by 2028.
This year she received the La Sportiva Scholarship, a scholarship from a prestigious outdoor brand.
Sarah is also an accomplished outdoor climber, who has recently been learning traditional climbing skills at Arapiles (Djurite).
In addition to focusing on her own climbing career, Sarah is on the adaptive climbing Victoria board. The organisation supports adaptive climbers to participate in sport climbing competitively and socially.
Sarah came first at the paraclimbing world cups this season in the USA and Europe with one gold and two silvers.
Sarah is working hard to get to the paraclimbing world championships in 2023 with the goal of becoming Australia’s first paraclimbing world champion.
Mark Crosbee – Canoe Slalom – Paddle Australia
Mark Crosbee, 18, is a rising star from Melbourne Victoria, competing in the sport of Canoe Slalom.
Mark is the cousin of Olympic champion Jessica Fox, and is aiming to follow in the footsteps of his older cousin.
Recently, Mark became the junior world champion in C1 at the 2022 ICF Junior and U23 world championships in Ivrea, Italy.
He was on the national talent squad in 2018 and on the national junior team in 2019 and 2020.
He started the sport when he was about six after he was “born into” the sport. His parents paddled professionally for the British team and were high level coaches.
His favourite course to paddle on is Brady’s White-water course, found in the heart of Tasmania.
Charli Petrov – 10m Synchro – Diving Australia
Charli Petrov, 14, from Melbourne exploded onto the diving scene at just 14 years old.
She competes in the 10m Platform events, and what she calls “throwing herself off big heights”.
Charli recently represented Australia for the first time at the 2022 FINA World Championships, and is also part of the Australia team for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
She competes in the Synchronised event with diving legend Melissa Wu, 30, who came onto the diving scene in 2006 at 13 years old — before Charli was born.
In 2019 she was named Australian junior C diver of the year and Australian most outstanding new talent.
Keffer Wilson: Skate Australia
Keefer was the youngest athlete at X-Games Sydney in 2018 at the age 11.
He then went on to compete in X-Games Shanghai and X-Games Minneapolis.
Keefer has toured several times with Nitro Circus and was their youngest ever to be on the tour.
Keefer landed a 900 at the age of 12 making him one of just three Aussies to land this. He has also landed a body varial 900, the only Australian ever to land this.
He is training for the qualifying events for the Paris Olympics.
Keefer’s main training partner is his sister Aaliyah Wilson.
Aaliyah Wilson: Skate Australia
Aaliyah Wilson has been a skater for many years but has been more focused on competitive gymnastics.
With the lockdowns due to Covid closing gymnastics Aaliyah’s main focus became skating, alongside her brother Keefer Wilson.
She is now training for the qualifying events for the Paris Olympics.
Liam Walczuk: Geelong BMX
Liam Walczuk, 18, started racing BMX at the age of three on a 12-inch bike.
He then progressed up to a 20-inch bike at the age of four and a half.
He competed at his first world championships in Adelaide at the age of five.
He has competed in 14 Victorian state titles, and has also competed six times at the national titles.
His aim is to make it to the top eight this year at state titles in Bendigo.
Jai Copland: Geelong BMX
Jai Copland, 16, was looking to get into motocross but then found BMX at the age of eight.
He started in Novice and then progressed into expert.
He has won multiple state plates in various states and multiple national series plates along with Oceania plates.
In 2018 he qualified for worlds but unfortunately had to decline the offer.
In 2019 Jai represented Australia in Belgium for the world championships.
Last year Jai won a 5A (5th in Australia) national plate and qualified to represent Australia again at the world championships.
He is now travelling to Nantes, France this month for the world BMX championships wearing the green and gold.
Makenzie Copland: Geelong BMX
Following in her brother’s footsteps Makenzie Copland, 14, started BMX at seven before taking on the state and then progressing to a national level.
She has won multiple state plates in various states and multiple national series plates along with Oceania plates.
In 2018 she also qualified for worlds but unfortunately also had to decline.
She is also headed to Nantes, France this month for the world BMX championships wearing the green and gold alongside her brother.
Nate Ashford: Geelong BMX
Nate Ashford, 11, is new to the competitive BMX scene but is already travelling around the state to many competitions.
Nate was 10 years old and enjoying building bike jumps and mountain bike riding when his dad suggested BMX.
It was a natural progression as Nate’s dad was involved in the sport, qualifying for the world titles when he was 15.
The local club was easy going and welcoming, with coaching and competitors on offer, and lots of support for beginners.
Nate was hooked, and his dad got back into it too. The whole family enjoyed travelling around the state for different events.
For an outdoor and adventure loving kid like Nate, who also surfs, dives and snowboards, it’s a fun extreme sport.
Drew Halloran: Geelong BMX
Drew Halloran, 11, started riding at the age of seven, joined Geelong Thunder BMX club and started racing in sprocket girls.
Drew progressed up to expert and started racing in the state series.
In 2021 Drew came 2nd in the state series and 6th in the Victorian state titles.
Drew is now sponsored by CTD Industries and rides for the Australian factory RIFT development team.
She came 1st at track attack and is sitting 2nd in the state series and hopes to impress at the Victorian state titles in October which will be held in Bendigo.
Drew is Coached by Nathan Glab and loves riding with her friends at the club.
Stevie Halloran: Geelong BMX
Stevie Halloran, 11, decided to put down the pompoms and give up cheerleading once she saw how much fun her twin sister Drew was having and started racing BMX at the age of nine.
Her sister and dad were already racing so she was familiar with everyone at Geelong Thunder BMX club and riding came naturally to her.
In 2021 Stevie came 3rd in state series and 4th in Victorian state titles, she is now sponsored by CTD Industries and rides for the Australian factory RIFT development team.
Stevie is sitting 3rd in the state series and will travel to Mildura in August for the final round.
Jaimon Lidsey: Mildura Motorcycle club
Jaimon Lidsey, 22, is from Red Cliffs Victoria, just outside of Mildura.
He now lives in Poland and races for one of the most famous clubs on the planet – Unia Leszno — in the brutal and extreme sport of motorcycle Speedway.
Motorcycle Speedway motorcycles have 500cc motors and no brakes.
Jaimon has ridden with the Mildura Motorcycle Club since he was a junior.
He has won the 2020 World Under 21 Speedway Championship and is one of the world’s most explosive riders.
He now has a young son who also enjoys getting on the bike.
Bella May: Frankston BMX
Bella May, 16, from Melbourne rides with the Frankston Sharks BMX club.
She is “honoured” to be representing Australia at the BMX world championships in Nantes, France as a junior elite athlete this month.
She aspires to become an Olympian and represent Australia at the highest level.
She has been competing in BMX with her brother since she was eight.
She is ranked 3rd in Australia in superclass women and second in her age class.
Julijana Vrapcenjak: Frankston BMX
Julijana Vrapcenjak, 13, started her BMX career at eight after wandering down to Frankston BMX track with her father to watch a friend.
Fast forward five years and in 2021 Julijana finished 2nd in Victorian state titles and 4th in Australia.
This year Julijana is running 2nd in the Australian National Series and with all her hard work paying off she is in preparation and will be competing in 13 girls class for Australia in the world championships in Nantes, France
Ashton Smith: Frankston BMX
Ashton Smith, 12, is headed to France this month to race the world championships for BMX in Nantes.
His home track is the Frankston Sharks BMX track.
He has been riding for eight years but this will be his first world championships.
He is ranked 5th in Victoria for 20-inch and 6th in Victoria for cruiser.
He has just won the Frankston summer series.
He has also been accepted into the Australian stay strong team which he said made him “very lucky”.
“I’m so excited for the opportunity to represent our country on the big stage. Thank you to all my sponsors and supporters who have helped me achieve my dream,” he said.
Mason Park: Frankston BMX
Mason Park, 9, started racing in 2016 when he was three at Frankston BMX club.
In 2021 he was 2nd in Victoria state series, 3rd in state championship and is ranked 4th in the 2022 national cup.
He is headed to the world championships for BMX in Nantes, France.
Josh Jolly: Ballarat
Josh Jolly, 16, is BMX racer who holds two Australian titles in his age, and three Victorian titles in his age and junior superclass.
He is also 2022 Australian silver medallist in pumptrack.
Josh is off to France to complete at the BMX world championships this month.
Josh has been racing since he was two and is on the path to represent Australia in the Olympics.
Josh races downhill, pumptrack, BMX, and will start on the freestyle journey later this year when he rides at Crankworx in NZ
Isabelle Evans: South Gippsland BMX
Isabelle Evans, eight, races with the South Gippsland BMX Club which is located in Leongatha, Victoria.
Isabelle started racing BMX (mini wheelers/balance bike) at the age of two at the Frankston BMX Club, she is now starting to develop a passion for the sport and hopes one day to ride like Olympic athlete Saya Sakakibara who she looks up to.
Isabelle is hoping to ride in the 2022 BMX national titles which will be held in Launceston Tasmania in November.
Isabelle competes at local races within Victoria as often as possible. She recently achieved third position at the Victorian state titles.
She trains one to two times a week after school.
Tess Coady: Snowboarding, Snow Australia
Tess Coady, 21, is an Australian snowboarder, who competes in Park and Pipe, Slopestyle and Big Air events.
Tess had a breakthrough season in the 2021/22, highlighted by winning bronze at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
At just 21 years old, Tess is a young gun in snowsports with a bright future ahead of her.
Other highlights in her 2021/22 season include a gold medal at the Olympic qualification event in Laax, Switzerland in Slopestyle, and 6th at the X-Games.
Indi Speirs: Mogul Skiing, Snow Australia
Mogul skier Indi Speirs produced some outstanding performances in just her first international season.
She won the Europa Cup dual moguls event in Taivalkoski (Finland) and achieved the top-six super-final in all three moguls events she took part in including two fourth places in Jyväskylä and Taivalkoski (Finland).
Indi was named the 2022 Snow Australia junior mogul skier of the year, and is a nominee for the 2022 Snow Australia junior athlete of the year.
Unmasked: The 10 most wanted people in Gippsland
The headshots of the 10 most wanted people in the Gippsland region have been released by Crime Stoppers Victoria. Have you seen them anywhere?
Another Grimace sign stolen from a Gippsland McDonald’s
Is it becoming a trend? Another Grimace sign has been stolen from a Gippsland McDonald’s, with the second offender caught on video running with it in broad daylight.