Local former Junior World Champion Pro Wakeboarder Chloe Mills has overcome two bad knee injuries which almost forced her to not return to her sport to recently make the finals in Moomba, placing sixth out of 14 girls.
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Chloe has been professionally wakeboarding since she was 13 (now a 21-year-old) and has lived overseas in the United States for our winters, which is when the USA professional season runs.
“We had a house in Orlando for a number of years so she could have a home base whilst she was competing and being away from home at such a young age,” mum Kylie said.
“Chloe had two major operations on both her knees three years ago, the last one doing her ACL completely and had to be off the water for 14 months.
“After coming back she competed in the US Masters LCQ in Orlando April 2018 where she placed second and qualified for the US Masters at the famous Callaway Gardens in Georgia USA.
“This was a huge contest as her first competition back after injury.”
In last year’s Moomba competition, Chloe ended up hurting her ‘good’ knee and has struggled to get over that professionally.
Last September/ October she headed back over to the USA to compete in the World titles in Mexico but once she started training her knee just wouldn’t hold up and she had to make the decision not to compete.
“She was guardian to a young wakeboarder that she coaches so she still attended the world titles with her, feeling very shattered about not competing but she did get great enjoyment from Laney placing second in the under 14 girls,” Kylie said.
“Once Chloe returned to Australia her surgeon decided not to operate on her knee as scans showed she has only half her meniscus left and having more surgery could possible stop her from wakeboarding again.
“With limited training, due to the algae in Lake Mulwala and at Bundalong, making finals and coming sixth out of 14 professional women is amazing.
“Moomba Masters is one of the most prestigious events in wakeboarding throughout the world, just to be invited to this event is amazing.
“She drew a tough heat but rode awesome and did Australia proud.”
Chloe has decided not to return to the USA this season and is focusing on working back home in Yarrawonga at Skin Ski & Surf as well as focusing on getting fit and strong in her off season.
