Twizel Snowboarding and Rodeo Star Zak Baikie, 22, Passes Away in Tragic Accident; Survived by Parents Paul and Penny
The late Zak Baikie also went to play for South Canterbury's U21 rugby team.
August 13, 2026
This article was last updated by Rohit Maharjan on August 13, 2026
Zak Baikie, a Twizel, New Zealand native and exceptional multi-athlete, passed away this week at an untimely age of 22, leaving his family, friends and loved ones devastated.
While his family hasn’t shared any details regarding the untimely death of Zak Baikie, according to, he passed away in a tragic accident.
Born and raised in the small South Island town of Twizel in the Mackenzie District, Zak Baikie touched the lives of many with his amazing athletic skills and his humble and kind nature.
Zak Baikie excelled in multiple sports, including snowboarding, Rodeo, and Rugby.
Furthermore, Zak Baikie began his rodeo journey in 2026, following in the footsteps of his grandfather.
A talented young cowboy, the late Zak first started bull riding at the Winchester Rodeo in October 2026.
In his first season, Zak finished 25th in the 2026 New Zealand 2nd Division Bull Riding Standings, and recently, he was 17th in the bull riding category in the second division.
Similarly, one of his most memorable came earlier this year when he placed 2nd at the Mad Bulls and Brrels event at Henley in February 2026.
Zak Baikie Made Waves in Snowboarding with National and International Success
Prior to beginning his career as a rodeo, Zak Baikie was an accomplished youth snowboarder who made a name for himself both in New Zealand and the United States.
He began excelling in at a young age, claiming the overall Year 7 and 8 title and, in 2017, winning the “Best Overall Junior” after earning three golds and a silver at the National Junior Championships.
Furthermore, his rise continued internationally when, at just 16, he dominated a 71-strong field to win the slopestyle title in the snowboard youth (14-15 years) category at the USA Snowboard and Freeski Association’s national championships on Copper Mountain, Colorado.
Among other career highlights, he captured gold at the 2019 Winter Park and Steamboat Slopestyles competitions and later won the slopestyle title at the US Snowboard Youth Nationals.
Domestically, Zak competed at Cardrona in New Zealand across multiple events, including slopestyle and halfpipe, consistently placing among the top juniors and earning valuable FIS points in the Australian New Zealand Cup series.
The remarkable contribution of Zak Baikie to the community and sports field will always remain in the hearts of his family, friends, and loved ones.
He is survived by his parents, Paul Baikie and Penny Luella Baikie, siblings, and the whole family.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- The late Zak Baikie was born in 2003.
- The Celebration of Zak Baikie’s life will be held at the Twizel Event Centre on Saturday, 16th August, at 1:00 pm, followed by a burial at the Twizel Cemetery and then refreshments at the Razza Bar.
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Suruchi is a business management student with a strong passion for writing, particularly when it comes to sports. She loves creating articles and blogs that explore various aspects of the sports world. With a curious mind and a love for both academics and creativity, she constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and share her insights through her writing.
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