Amber wings her way to success
by Bob Wonders on 2 May 2008
Amber Wing in action on the Hawkesbury River at Wiseman’s Ferry. We’re told that this manoeuver is called a ’switch frontside 180 degree Indy-Grab’. Why? Beats us. SW
When your mother is a former world water ski race champion; when your father is a former Australian water ski champion; when your uncle is a living legend of the sport with five world championships to his credit, well, you’d be pretty handy at watersports, right?
So it has certainly been with wakeboard champ. Amber Wing, daughter of Robert and Bronwyn, sister of Joel and Dominique, niece of Brett.
As Bronwyn Wright, Amber’s mother dominated the racing to win the inaugural world ski race championship in the UK in 1979.
Father Robert, probably better-known these days as the manufacturer of Wing Wetsuits, was himself a crack tournament skier while brother Brett was ‘the king’.
Joel Wing is also carrying on the family name with a string of championships already to his name.
As for Dominique Wing?
“Something went wrong with the genes there,” Bronwyn laughed.
“Oh, she can ‘ski and ‘board, but she’s a surfer, and that’s where her major interest lies.”
With the ‘08/’09 summer still to come, Amber Wing has shown what it takes to be a winner.
She has already claimed the 2008 Australian Pro Tour championships and has her sights set on another big summer later this year.
Her past achievements are phenomenal.
In 2007 she won the World wakeboard championship, the US National crown, the Australian Pro Tour and was named Best Female Rider by Wakeboard magazine and Australia’s Best Female Rider.
She finished second overall in the ’07 US Pro Tour, took a third placing in the US Masters and in ’06 was honoured as Australian Female Rider of the Year and again named Female Rider of the Year by Wakeboard magazine.
One thing’s for sure, Amber’s fitness was never a problem, for wakeboarding is just one aspect of her skills.
At the age of 16, she was a Level 10 (the highest) Australian gymnastic champion.
Needless to say, Robert and Bronwyn are very proud of Amber’s achievements, as they are of her two siblings.
Joel, the eldest at 28, is a champion in his own right and in coming issues we will bring another feature on his own brilliant record.
And look for a feature too on Brett Wing, still active these days and involved with the spectacular water ski show at Sea World on the Gold Coast.
After all, when you are named Wing where else would you be involved?
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