"This selection wouldn't have happened without George ... I've got a lot to thank him for," Schaw said referring to one of his Tikokino neighbours George Williams.
"George introduced me to the sport shortly after Backpaddock Lakes in Takapau got up and running. Keith and Trevor Rowlands of Backpaddock Lakes have been brilliant for me too," Schaw said. A former Hawke's Bay under-15 soccer representative, Schaw, will compete in the under-17 section of the world championships. Although he does all three disciplines, jump, tricks and slalom, he will aim for a medal in what he regards as his specialist event - jump.
"At the same time I still need to score well in the others to help the New Zealand team do well in the overall standings," Schaw explained.
New Zealand's No.1 in his age group last year, Schaw won the recent Bay of Plenty championships in Rotorua and this weekend will tackle the Waikato championships at Lake Karapiro. Fellow New Zealand junior representative James Leen of Waikato is likely to provide the toughest competition this weekend.
"We're regular rivals but good mates at the same time. Slalom is his speciality," Schaw said.
Schaw's feet are skimming across the water at speeds between 60 and 70km/h when he is doing his jump and tricks events and during the slalom where the amount of times one crosses the wake during 15 seconds of action determines the winner he is travelling at 70km/h.
To maintain his national ranking Schaw trains before and after school each day. He also follows a routine in his school gym.
"My school teachers have been good in allowing me a lot of time off to attend competitions and training camps. At the same time I know I have to keep on top of my academic requirements and I will be doing a lot of work in advance before travelling to Melbourne so once I get to Mulwala I can focus solely on the championships," Schaw said.
He has yet to decide on what he will do when he leaves school.
"It's likely to be an apprenticeship in some sort of trade because barefoot waterskiing doesn't pay the bills. However I'm in this sport for the long haul ... I want a world title and if I don't get one in Mulwala I will chase one in the open ranks where I will be after this year."
When Schaw returns from Melbourne he intends to run a competition at Backpaddock Lakes. "I want to encourage more people to give the sport ago ... I know it won't take long for others to get hooked."
Schaw's New Zealand team coach Robbert Groen, Ben's father, is full of praise for the rapid progress Schaw has made in the sport.
"We already have him doing jumps an open competitor would attempt and he has learnt these quickly too. We believe this will help him medal in Melbourne." Coach Groen is aiming for a top three finish from the Kiwis on the overall standings in Melbourne. Should Schaw contribute what he is capable of across the Tasman Williams, Marsh and the Rowlands will have every right to feel proud of the part they have played in yet another Central Hawke's Bay youngster doing well on the international stage.
