Oakley is a member of the Australian Disabled Water Ski team and will be competing in the 2015 World Disabled Water Ski Championship in California, USA next month, competing against around 120 skiers from over 20 countries.

"It's an exciting time, and a world away from my equestrian back-ground," Oakley said.

"I've always loved water skiing, and to have this opportunity now means I can deal with some unfinished business.

"This is my first World Champs at water skiing, I've done a lot of international dressage comps in the past so I'm not going in blind and hopefully know what to expect.

"Generally if you can roll with the punches and not let the scale and intensity of the comp get to you, you will be fine."

The 53-year-old was an avid water skier as a younger man but muscular dystrophy, a muscle wasting disease, put a stop to that. Oakley is now able to ski again and represent Australia for a second time through disabled skiing and the use of a sit ski.

Last year Oakley was one of three Australians chosen to represent the World Team at the US Nationals- he finished fourth in his category, but all of the categories were changed during 2014, so the Champs are a bit of an unknown.

"As a new international competitor [last year], I had to ski in my new category, all other skiers were still competing under their old category," Oakley said.

"I beat everyone who will be in my category at these worlds.

"There were none of the good Europeans there so there are still some skiers I haven't seen yet, but I'm confident I'm competitive. It will be a case of putting it together on the day.

"I'm competing in all three categories of slalom, trick and jump which is not common in my category, I'm at the more incapacitated end of the scale, so this gives me an advantage in the overall point score.

"I've got two years of focused, hard training under my belt and I am there to compete at my best. What ever happens happens."

As a member of the ACT Tournament Water Ski Club Oakley had been training on the Molonglo River right up to June, saying it is important for those with muscular dystrophy to continue exercising.

"I have had to start travelling to Queensland on the weekends to train as it's just too cold in the Molonglo for me now. I don't have much meat on my bones and the cold really knocks me around," he said.

"Travelling to Queensland is difficult and expensive but I don't want to leave any stone unturned. My muscular dystrophy is a progressive disease and this might be my only chance.

"To deal with muscular dystrophy you have to keep moving, maybe not at the World Comp level but regular exercise to maintain patterns of movement is important."

Disabled Water Ski Australia created a trust fund with the Australian Sports Foundation to help combat the expense of travelling to the World Championship. If you would like more information or to support Oakley and the team you can donate at www.disabledwaterski.com.au.