A heartbroken Sydney father says his 13-year-old champion water skiing son and "best mate" who died following an accident at the state titles, was a wise soul who loved everybody.
Blake Tickell, from Rouse Hill in Sydney's northwest, was racing on Wyangala Dam, near Cowra, on Saturday afternoon when he fell heavily.
Ski Racing Australia said in a statement that "Blake was recovered from the water unconscious and attended to by paramedics before being airlifted to Sydney's Westmead Children's Hospital".
He died at 5.45pm on Sunday night from critical head injuries.
His father Darren Tickell posted a tribute to his son on social media.
"Blakey was wise beyond his years, an old soul, had love for everybody, and will be forever in our hearts," Mr Tickell wrote on Facebook.
"He died doing what he was so passionate about."
Ski Racing Australia offered condolences to Darren, Simone and brother Cody Tickell in a statement released on Monday.
Blake was competing at the joint Ski Racing NSW and Country and ACT Ski Racing titles.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.
