By Jack Burden

The international water skiing community is mourning the passing of Robert Wing, who died earlier this month, at the age of 68.

Wing was a deeply respected figure in the sport—an athlete, entrepreneur, commentator, and tireless advocate whose presence spanned decades and disciplines. Born in 1957, to Bob and Irene Wing, pioneers of barefoot water skiing in Australia, Rob was immersed in the sport from an early age and remained devoted to it throughout his life.

A versatile competitor, Wing participated across barefoot water skiing, tournament waterskiing, wakeboarding, and waterski racing. Even later in life, his passion never dimmed; he proudly represented Australia at the 2022 and 2024 IWWF World Over 35 Waterski Championships.

Beyond the water, Wing founded and led a globally respected wetsuit and water sports accessories company, Wing Wetsuits, becoming a trusted name throughout the industry. He was also a passionate supporter of the sport as a family-centered pursuit, generously backing athletes, teams, and events around the world.

Nowhere was his impact felt more strongly than at the Moomba Masters, where Wing served for many years as a sponsor, apparel provider, and iconic voice in the commentary box. For generations of fans lining the Yarra River, his calm, familiar commentary became inseparable from the event itself.

Tributes have poured in describing Wing as a true gentleman—warm, professional, endlessly generous with his time, and universally liked. As longtime colleague Des Burke-Kennedy reflected, “Everybody liked Rob… I can’t ever remember him having a harsh word to say about anybody.”

Rob Wing is survived by his wife Bronwyn, his children Joel, Amber, and Dominique, and his beloved grandchildren Atheniah, Xander, William, Jamison, Vance, and Audrey.