Date: 8/22/03
Author: David Williams

19-year-old Australian Mark Kenney, one of the greatest wakeboarders the world has known, died in his sleep on a Sunday morning one year ago. To commemorate the anniversary of Mark's passing, his family had this to say:

The world lost one of it's greatest. Mark, you rode to the top of the world. You were taken at a time when you had the world in the palm of your hand. You were so loved by those who knew you and those who only knew of you. Your memory and talent will never be forgotten. We love and miss you so, so much Bub.

- Mum, Dad and brothers Shane and Dale.

In 1998, Mark Kenney showed up on the wakeboarding radar by quietly working his way through the ranks of the Junior Men's division, winding up in a tie for 15th place in the year-end standings. That same year he placed fourth at Worlds in the Junior Men's division behind Chad Sharpe, Justin Evans and Shane Bonifay.

Kenney continued to raise eybrows the following year by winning Junior Men's titles in Australia, the United States and Canada. The same year, Mark tried his hand in the pro ranks and pulled a second place finish to Darin Shapiro and ahead of Parks Bonifay at the 1999 Wakestock Festival as well as picking up a win at the Australian X Games and a second place finish at the Asian X Games.

Mark's pro career was a rocky one in 2000 and 2001 with a few Pro Tour appearances here and there, but rarely did he make it past the qualifying rounds. He was unranked in 2000 and finished 2001 tied for 47th in the World Cup standings.

Mark finally showed some signs of turning things around toward the end of 2001 when he placed first at the Planet X Games in Australia. Since then, he had been tearing up the pro scene with finals finishes in 2002 at pro tournaments in Pensacola (2nd), Charleston (10th), Detroit (8th), Indiana (6th) and Irvine (2nd). In addition, he dominated the competition for first place finishes at the Malibu Open, Wakestock Switzerland, Asian X Games and the Gravity Games. He was the highest ranked Australian on the 2002 Pro Tour final standings at #7 and sat at #3 in the World Cup standings and #2 in the Triple Crown standings at the time of his death.

Mark had been known for taking every move bigger than the last guy and landing it smoothly way out in the flats. If you never saw Mark ride in person, you probably don't fully understand the skills this kid had. He's the first guy in a long time to seriously threaten the top riders that have dominated professional wakeboarding contests for years. Check out our Mark Kenney Photo and Video Gallery to get an idea of what Mark was able to pull off on the water.

Mark left the sport at his prime and his riding and personality will be be missed.