Gerard breaks another water skiing world record

Not too many 15-year-olds can say they broke a world record.

For Jackson Gerard, a 15-year-old out of Babson Park in southern Polk County, it was just another day in the water.

Having previously set two Open Mens World Records at the 2018 U.S. Barefoot Nationals, Gerard took his A-game to the international stage and set a pending world record at the 2018 IWWF World Barefoot Water Ski Championships held in Napanee, Ontario, Canada, from Aug. 12-18.

Competing in his second IWWF Barefoot Worlds, Gerard’s 14,050 run in Tricks not only set a pending Junior Boys World Record, but also an Open Men’s World Record as well. The winning run took place on Aug. 17.

By the end of the competition, Gerard earned the Gold Medal in the Trick Event and the Bronze Medal Overall in the Elite Division. In the Junior Division, Jackson won the Gold Medal in the Trick Event, Silver in the Jump Event, Bronze in Slalom and the Gold Medal Overall earning the Junior World Title.

Gerard was the only member of both teams.