Namita Nayyar:
One of the highlights of your career came when you won the 2015 Water Ski World Championships Gold Medal, in the Tricks event. Tell us more about this exceptional achievement?
Anna Gay:
I had struggled all summer long to put together my run. I fell at many of the junior events that I attended as well as record tournaments. I finally tricked 9300 points at regionals in late July of that year. I was stoked to finally trick over 9000 points. This was a huge achievement for me. I was also so excited to even qualify for Open Worlds that year in Chapala, Mexico.
I had worked really hard to get ready for this huge event. I had planned out tricks and runs I wanted to learn the year before in order to prepare for my first Open Worlds. My goal going into the tournament was to make the finals and to stand up my run.
I was 15 years old at the time and was just very excited to be there to compete. I had never imagined I would be able to win. I was second seed going into the finals and went out and stood up my run, even getting in some extra smaller tricks in time. When my score came out I was shocked.
I had tricked over 10,000 points tricking 10,010. This was a huge goal of mine and never in a million years did I expect to trick over 10,000 points, set a tournament record and win my first Open Worlds at 15 years old. This was an incredible year for me. I went from skiing my best score of 7,610 point in 2014 to exceeding 10,000 points, to be one of three girls to ever ski over this point value, in 2015.
Namita Nayyar:
You must have many memories and experiences as a water skier winning different competitions. Share some such experiences which are precious to you and embedded in your heart.
Anna Gay:
Some of my most cherished wins include winning the 2015 Open World Championships. My dad also competed with me and my grandpa got to attend the event and it was so much fun to have the both of them there with me. It was also one of the first pro events that I won. I also won every pro event in 2016 and tricked over 10,000 points and set records at every event. This was the best year I ever had. I also really cherish winning this year worlds.
I had my entire family, grandparents and my boyfriend there with me. It was really special to have them all there. I am also a nursing student at the University of Alabama. To ski and be in the middle of my nursing program made it extremely difficult to do both, and do them well. I had originally thought I would need to take a step back from skiing when I started nursing school, so to win a world in the midst of it was very exciting.
Namita Nayyar:
You have won the 2021 Water Ski World Championships Gold Medal, Women’s Tricks event, and Bronze Medal in Team Overall. What traits do you consider as a water skier led to this meteoritic rise in the sport of waterskiing?
Anna Gay:
For me, I do my best when I am busy. In the fall of 2016, I broke the women’s world trick record. I was running cross country at the time as well as taking multiple AP courses. I would get up at 5 am to run every morning, then go to school all day and come home to ski and do homework until I went to bed. It was a LOT, but I felt like I was able to manage my time well and was able to succeed. The same goes for this fall.
I am in my third semester of nursing school, trying to train and get ready for worlds in all three events as well as compete in collegiate events. It was exhausting, but I believe it is sometimes when I do my best. I think working hard, perseverance, and determination as well as God’s help is what has helped me to succeed.
Namita Nayyar:
You won the 2019 Water Ski World Championship Gold Medal. Elaborate on this exceptional milestone in your career.
Anna Gay:
The 2019 World Championships were held in Malaysia right before my sophomore year of college started. This was a very difficult site to compete at. It was not what I was used to, so leading up to the event I made sure to train in all kinds of weather and water conditions. I made the finals and was able to stand up my run in the finals to trick 10,530 points. This was a new course record and I was thrilled to trick a huge score in such a prestigious event and difficult site.
Namita Nayyar:
You have been waterskiing since the young age of two years under the able coaching of your parents Russell and Jane Gay. Apart from the excellent family support system that you have, what do you consider has been the catalyst to drive you from within, your competitive urge to move against all these odds to come out victorious and become a World Champion?
Anna Gay:
My parents have definitely had the biggest role in helping me become a world champion. They are extremely supportive and have always helped me in any way that they can. In recent years, Sean Hunter, has been instrumental in my skiing career. In college it is a lot harder to get the same kind of training in that I do at home and he has sacrificed a lot to come out to the lake to pull and coach me.
My dad has always been the one to push me, believe in me and encourage me to go out and ski. He always pushed me to do my best, not to compete against others, but to compete against myself. However, at the time Erika Lang, Brooke Baldwin, and Neilly Ross also were training hard and their success as well helped to push me to become better.
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Anna Gay:
I love to do yoga, swim, bike, run, and do weight training. These are mostly done during my off season when I have more time and I am skiing less. A goal of mine is to do a half Ironman.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
