Get Inspired
“I love to whip as it brings me joy.”
Jesse Watson, a 16-year-old from Durack, was the only deaf participant at the Australian Whipcracking Championships held in NSW last October, which is hosted by the Australian Whipcrackers and Plaiters Association (AWPA). He is one of the young deaf and hard of hearing people, Deaf Children Australia awards a Youth Grant to each year, to encourage individuals to explore new experiences.
This is Jesse’s story.
Jesse is a self-taught whipcracker. He came 4th in his first competition at the 2021 AWPA Victorian Whipcracking Championships, competing in the novice division. This empowered him to want to compete in the junior division at the National Championships with his own set of whips.
To achieve this, he wanted to purchase an accuracy whip to improve his technique in the lead up to the nationals. Unfortunately, the whip arrived the day he left for the championships with this dad. But each day he trained with what he had.
Jesse overcame this obstacle and practiced with his new whip at every opportunity on the journey to NSW, what a champion!
Jesse reported the Judges and other competitors were very supportive, and this welcoming environment gave him the confidence to talk and perform in front of a crowd.
“It was fun to compete with others in my age group, and the most important thing I learnt was I can be confident performing in front of others…. I learnt not to be scared in front of people,” said Jesse.
The experience allowed Jesse to harness his own strength while doing what he loves.
He said there were no national competitions in the Northern Territory, and he was delighted to receive a Deaf Children Australia Youth Grant to help him travel interstate to compete at a national level,
Regardless of the challenges he faced, Jesse persevered, reached his goal, and made the most of the opportunity.
His newfound confidence has inspired him to embark on a new whipcracking journey in his local community, he has started a whipcracking get together for like-minded people. The first meet up was held in mid-January.
In Jesse’s words, “I love to whip as it brings me joy.”
So, if you are in the Darwin area, why not join Jesse and his friends on a great whipcracking adventure.
Learn more about Deaf Children Australia’s Youth Grants on its website – https://www.deafchildrenaustralia.org.au/youth-grants/
For further information, please contact Jane at media@deafchildren.org.au, or Mob 0499 956 291.
