Jimboomba sub junior barefooter ranked top 50 in the world

Zak Pain competed in the sub junior national championships in Adelaide from April 9 to 15 finishing in 9^th place for Australia.

Next year the sub junior national championships will be held in Bucca, near Bundaberg.

Pain said his chances of securing a top spot were looking good for 2019. 

“I’m hoping to get on the podium because a lot of the older guys are moving up to the juniors championship,” he said. 

The sub junior division includes all barefooters under 14 while the junior division is for people aged 14 to 18.

Pain said his early barefooting success came down to the expert coaching he received at the Barefoot South Queensland Club in Canungra.

“All the coaches there are some of the highest ranked in the world,” he said.

“Without them I would not be where I am now. They taught me all the basics and how to execute all my tricks properly.”

Pain has mastered a number of impressive stunts including backward, one hand and one foot barefooting.

His phenomenal rise in the sub junior barefooting ranks has not come without blood, sweat and tears.

Pain trained almost every weekend at the Mary River and Canungra Barefoot South Queensland Club leading up to the nationals.

Zak’s dad, John Pain, said comparisons with professional Australian barefoot water skiier Brendan Paige were already being made.

“I would like to see (Zak) get into the top 10 in the world,” he said.

“He has to get his one foot slalom cross right for next year’s nationals and we are constantly working on it.”

John Pain said Zak would spend all weekend preparing for the 2019 nationals.

Barefoot skiing is a family passion for the Pain household, with Zak’s older brother and sister also involved with it.

"I had one go with my family and I have been doing it ever since,” Zak said.

“I have stuck with it ever since and have loved it my whole life.”

Zak is also involved with rugby league and tennis, but barefoot water skiing is his greatest passion.