Nanaimo native, Aaron Rathy rides BMX, skateboards, wakeboards, snowboards, and has started surfing Florida's space coast, but what he does really well is waterski. CoastalBC snagged a quick email interview with Aaron as he left for ski practice in the sunshine state.
CBC:Tell us a bit about yourself? Born when and where, live where, what's your life like?
AR: I was born in Nanaimo in March 17th 1988 (St. Patrick's Day), I live in Nanaimo (most of the time) and with my coach, Matt Rini & his family in Clermont, Florida. I travel and ski all over Canada and the U.S. and have a great life!
CBC:We saw your photo in the Aug/Sep '02 issue of Waterski Magazine.(www.waterskimag.com) Have you had much coverage in international publications?
AR: No, this is my first time in an international publication. After competing at the U.S. Jr. Masters tournament (Callaway Gardens, Pine Mt., Georgia) My coach had a call from Rhoni Barton, a pro waterskier and senior editor of the Waterski Magazine to do a photo shoot. We had to leave for the lake at 4 am to get right lighting for the photographer!
 
CBC:You are one of the best junior trick skiers in the world. What's your current ranking?
AR: Current IWSF (International Water Ski Federation) ranking: #2 Tricks; #4 Jump; #6 (tied) Slalom; #2 Overall
CBC:How long have you been skiing and how'd you get started?
AR: My dad used to drag me around the lake when I was 2 yrs. old on the kneeboard, then the next year my cousin told me there was sharks in the lake so I didn't go in! I started skiing competitively when I was 8 yrs. old.
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CBC:In this day and age when everybody's boarding, why do you ski? What is it
about skiing that has got you wired?
AR: I like the opportunity to make the junior teams. (Pan Am's, America's Challenge, Jr. World's) It's a challenge to make the team, then traveling & skiing for Canada is awesome! 3 event skiing takes a lot of time on the water and I started young and got hooked. When you make a new trick, jump further than ever, or go deeper in slalom it feels so good and I want more! (ski addict?!)
CBC:World class athletes have to train year round. How do you keep up your
training through the winter and how often do you train?
AR: I spend quite a lot of time in Florida during the winter training. When I'm there I ski 5 - 6 sets/day and am at the lake for an average of 10 hrs./day. (Mon - Fri)
CBC:Does skiing interfere with your schooling, or is it maybe the other way
around? How do you manage?
AR: I take my school with me and work on it at night or between ski sets at the lake. (That's the plan) Due to the schedule this year I'll be completing the first semester by correspondence.
CBC:Will you be competing this winter?
AR: I leave on Friday, Oct. 4th for Florida to train and compete in a record tournament & will return home Oct. 21st for a couple weeks before heading south for more training and preparing for two major competitions. The first is the Pan Am's Nov. 24th - Dec. 1st and the second is the Jr. World's Jan. 7th - 12th. Both are in Santiago, Chile and I will be traveling with the Canadian Jr. Team. I was in Santiago last Nov. for the America's Challenge and I'm looking forward to going back & skiing against the Chilians and other competitors!
I'd like to thank my sponsors, if it wasn't for their support, I wouldn't be able to do what I love to do!
Tomkins Malli Attwell Assante Financial Management (BIG name, BIG sponsor!)
Bare Wetsuits
Legend Eyewear
Mid Island Masonry
PVL Nutrients Ltd
CBC:Best of luck and thanks for your time Aaron. Hope to hear from you through the winter. We want epic travel stories man.
AR: Have a fun weekend at the surf jam in Tofino! I'm off to Florida, but will keep in touch.
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