Hidden away in the Boise, ID pro wakesurfer Kaley Sparling received an unexpected knock on her door from her neighbor three years ago. Kaley’s out-going, friendly natured spirit, and beautiful complexion had compelled her neighbor to approach her about participating in pageants. A new world to her considering she had never competed in a pageant before but she was up for the challenge and started working on her platform. For those of you, like me, that aren’t familiar with pageant lingo the contestants “platform” is the cause they support and speak about. Kaley’s platform is childhood sexual abuse prevention, as it is something she is passionate about.
Very different from your normal pageant girl, she has an addiction to board sports that stems from her husband Jimmi, who has always been passionate about board sports. She caught the addiction herself too after starting to wakesurf with him in 2008. In 2009, after practicing a few times a week behind their Centurion Enzo for a year, she signed them up for the NWWSA wakesurf competition and made the drive up to Seattle where Jimmi took first place at the event. Always supporting each other’s dreams and goals, Kaley would start competing in pageants the following year too.
What does it take for a relatively small town girl to become Mrs. World?
Taking on pageants in Idaho to claim the state title of Mrs. Idaho was the first step to moving on to the national stage to compete for Mrs. America. The pageants are judged by the following: 50% of your score is based off the interview with judges while the other 50% comes from they way you carry yourself in your evening attire and swim wear. Kaley competed against 51 other contestants on the national level earning first runner up for Mrs. America. When it came time to head to China to compete for Mrs. World, the other contestant was unable to go and Kaley happily stepped up for America and boarded a plane to China to go claim the title of Mrs. World. After two weeks in China, Kaley returned to the US with a new accomplishment and the title of Mrs. World!
Photo not owned by Boarders
How many pageant women do you know that snowboard, ride flowboards, SUP, compete in wakesurf events, and have on their resume: “ announcer of the 2013 World Wakesurf Championships”? Just Kaley! Also, Jimmi brought home skateboards not too long ago and is teaching Kaley and their 2 children Jack Danger and Madison to skateboard as a family. The wakesurf world is very lucky to have awesome people like the Sparling's to help grow the sport we all love & we look forward to the future with them and their kids pushing the sport too!
Kaley would like to thank her husband for always supporting her & her wakesurf sponsors for all of their help! Centurion Boats, Soulcraft Boarding, & Agenda Surf!
By: Danny Braught