BadLad Founder, Wade Bennett, is a former World Level Water Ski Racer, Olympic Torch Bearer and Disabled Sprinter.

He understands the Hard Core style & attitude expected by Aussie Men, what they appreciate wearing, having come from an Extreme Sportsman’ and Tradesman’s perspective !

His love of Water Skiing started at the age of 4, growing up in Shepparton and Echuca, on Australia’s longest river, the Murray.

Wade’s love of all styles of skiing blossomed until he decided to take on the challenge of serious Ski Racing at the age of 16.

Wade paved his way to the Top of one of the most Extreme sports in the world, winning a multitude of Titles,

Including ;
4 National Titles,
27 State Titles,
2 x Skier of the Year Trophies,
Eight Outright Long Distance (over 100km) Race Records,
13 State Championships,
Australian Representation,
the list goes on….

His meteoric rise in Ski Racing was bought to a Brutal Conclusion though.

Wade seriously hurt himself in a horrific 180 kph racing accident, competing in a ¼ Mile Ski Drag Race @ the ‘Mildura 100’ in 1995.
He was, quite literally, torn in half.
He narrowly cheated death, surviving a 17 day Coma with multiple broken bones, including a smashed Pelvis in two places,
a broken hip,
a fractured & dislocated arm,
and Sciatic Nerve damage to his right leg.

He endured anything up to 17 Hour Operations daily to re-insert organs, do reconstructive work and fight infections.

He had to lie on his back for 4 & ½ Months, unable to move.

He approached his recovery Positively though and was even able to finish his rehab program early with the dream of skiing again as his driving goal in his recovery.

Having to completely learn to walk & move again with a now paralyzed lower right leg in the process.

Wade came back to his favorite sport, Water Ski Racing, in 1998.

It was another Major Goal he had set in his recovery, whilst on his back unable to move for so long.

He competed at the ‘Southern 80’ on the Murray River @ Echuca.

The Southern 80 is regarded World Wide as the Best & Hardest Water Ski Race in the World.

It was also the 1st Race that Wade competed in at age 9.

Showing incredible courage, he not only won the event, but broke the Disabled Record by 40 seconds, averaging 135kph !

He has just been thru his 50th operation, but that will not let it stop this driven young man from living his dreams.
Wade was also honored with 2 esteemed places participating in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.For his bravery in recovering from such a major injury & due to his multitude (500+) of wins and domination of Water Ski Racing, he was selected to run with the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch.

He relayed the Flame outside of the Surf Club @ Peregian Beach, near his home in Noosa Heads.

Which he says was

“Such an Amazing Experience that I got to Closely Share with my Family, Friends and the Peregian Community”

The Second Honour,his affirmation as a leading Extreme, Abled and Disabled Athlete of Australia, was to lead the Australian Team into Stadium Australia, during the Parade of Nations of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
Wade was selected to lead the Aussie Team as the Australian National Placard Bearer.

Walking just in front of Andrew Gaze and the Australian Flag, leading our Champion Team into Stadium Australia was

“..the most incredible experience of my life !”, says Wade.

He said..

“…that the Euphoric Roar of joy that ‘exploded’ as Australia’s arrival was announced, is so hard to put into words! ... just pure, ecstatic Joy and Pride.”

“To walk down the 100 Metre Track of an Olympic Games, In your Own Country’s Games, In the year 2000, Leading the Australian Team, Was just so, so surreal, especially for a Water Skier from the bush !“

“To Stand below Cathy Freeman as she lit the Olympic Cauldron was one of my most moving Personal Moments!”

"I was so Proud !”, say’s Wade.

He was to receive many other Honors that fortnight that continually blew him away.

Meeting Australia’s Best Athletes, Past & Present,

Witnessing the Naming of Andrew Gaze as the Australian Flag Bearer,

A Personal Tour of the Athlete’s Village, ( they had Golf Carts done up as Hot Rods to travel in !)

... Even having a Beer with the Prime Minister !

Then, also as National Placard Bearer, Wade escorted Ian Thorpe and the Flag Bearers of each Nation, into Stadium Australia for the Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony.

Since then Wade has competed as a Disabled Sprinter, and was successful in bringing home Gold in his first ever 100, 200 & 400 Metre running events in Sydney in 2002.

Told that he set two new Games Records in the Process !