Cranbourne South’s Charli Shore off to Toronto for Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships

SEVENTEEN-year-old Charli Shore is making waves across the world as a champion wakeboarder.

Charli Shore was the Moomba masters wakeboard junior women champion.

SEVENTEEN-year-old Charli Shore is making waves across the world as a champion wakeboarder.

The Cranbourne South resident started wakeboarding with her family when she was six years old during their holidays to the Murray River.

Charli had a knack for it and someone suggested she take a lesson.

Her teacher also realised her potential and now she has represented her country in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

She trains three times per week in the chilly Melbourne weather, honing her skills at the Melbourne Cable Park in Carrum.

This August she will travel to Toronto to take part in the Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships.

She said she still had to explain to people what her sport was.

“I will go somewhere and people will have no idea what it is so I say it’s like snowboarding but on the water,” she said.

“I like the places it takes me — I have been overseas before — so I like the places it takes me and the people I meet.

“Last year I came second (in the world championships) so I am aiming to get the first this year, which I think is doable.

“My most difficult trick is called a tootsie roll, which is a front roll and a handle pass and 180.

“You’re judged on how clean and how technical you are.”

Charli is finishing year 12 and said she wanted to become a professional wakeboarder or teach the sport to others.

Charli Shore is this week’s Cranbourne Leader junior sports star nominee.

Leader Local Sports Stars medallists will be named in seven categories including juniors, teams, individuals, and encouragement.

The program is now a national celebration, and junior category winners will be judged for national awards.

Cash prizes as well as vouchers from our sponsor Sportsmart are up for grabs.

To nominate a sports star, click here.