From the Kalgan River to the international stage, Steven Moss inducted into WA Water Ski Hall of Fame

Albany water skiing star Steven Moss has been inducted into the WA Water Ski Association Hall of Fame, recognising a career that has taken him from the Kalgan River in the Great Southern to world championships on the international stage.

The honour comes in a milestone year celebrating the 75th anniversary of waterskiing in WA, with an induction ceremony to be held at the Burswood Water Sports Centre on Saturday.

At national level, Moss built one of the sport’s most decorated records, achieving 10 Australian championship gold medals, 17 silver medals and 12 bronze medals across his career.

But his journey began skiing at just 10-years-old in Albany.

“I did my first competition here on the Kalgan and then I went to my first nationals over east and it sort of stemmed from there,” he said.

“So I competed locally and trained here my whole life and then went back and forward to America for training over there.

“In my first nationals when I was 10, I got a bronze medal.

“It was very exciting as a newcomer to the sport and it was a very family orientated and welcoming sport.”

From those early podium finishes, Moss quickly rose through the ranks, claiming his first national gold title at just 13 in Victoria.

His progression continued into international waters, representing Australia at junior and open-level events across the globe.

“I did some small international comps and then when I was 15 I went to my first under-21 world championships in 2009 in Mexico,” Moss said.

“This was my first world championships so it was very exciting to represent not only Albany but also Australia and put on the jersey.

“From there it was a lot of pro tournaments.”

Among his most memorable experiences was competing at the World Games in Colombia, an event often described as the Olympics for non-Olympic sports.

“It was incredible because it was a lot of other athletes and sports, they pick one male and female in each discipline so its whoever is the best in the country at the time.” he said.

“So I went there and I only jumped because that was my strongest event and it was an incredible experience to have.

There was opening ceremonies like they have at the Olympics and thousands of people cheering you on and that was one of the most memorable moments of my career

Jumping has always been Moss’s signature discipline — a high-risk, high-reward event he says is hard to describe.

“I love the pure adrenaline, speed, the time in the air,” he said.

“I was the second West Australian ever to jump 200 feet and I was the seventh Australian to ever do it.

“My biggest jump was just under 64m which is within the top 10 biggest jumpers in Australia of all time, which is pretty exciting.

“The whole experience is hard to explain, its a huge rush coming into the jump and the feeling of flying through the air is incredible.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in the air which has led to a few times in hospital.”

Now based in Queensland, Moss said the hall of fame recognition carries special meaning, particularly given his Albany roots and the athletes he once looked up to.

“It’s an incredible honour,” he said.

“So some of my previous idols have been inducted, and to be recognised for WA and as the first person from Albany to achieve such a prestige, is pretty incredible.”

While his elite competitive days are largely behind him, Moss still finds his way back to the water for local competition and has begun sharing his love for the sport with his son.

“I still ski, not so much competition, but I ski for fun,” he said.

“I have a 3½-year-old, and he’s just started skiing himself, so hopefully he’s got a good coach.

“It’s pretty exciting to be able to pass the handle to him.”