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Saturday 5 September 2009
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RSWSC Waterski Summer Report
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Grey skies and gusting winds were unable to slow Rock Sailing & Water-ski Club Annual Cutting Edge and Fly Navy Racing events over the August Bank Holiday. Summer sun was lacking during the three days of events, - so much so that the Kidzone/Cutting Edge Training on Friday had to be postponed due to high winds whipping the Camel estuary into a frenzy of white capped waves. With no-where on the water to hide skiers, helpers and instructors took refuge in RSWSC well-stocked Club bar. Fortunately Saturday’s weather allowed the Junior Fly Navy racing and Cutting Edge tuition to proceed back to back. Twelve junior (under 16) competitors took to the water to ski a figure of eight course. With time adjustments of 10 seconds per year of age, racing was close. 14 year old Alice Palmer took the 1st Prize and fastest unadjusted prize with an outstanding mono ski performance.
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Five ski boats then shared 14 mixed ability and novice skiers for a three-hour introduction and improvement session with Cutting Edge. This year saw an increase in novices to the sport all successfully ski-ing an estuary circuit, from 7 year olds on Skimmer Skis to 15 year olds tricking on Wakeboards. RSWSC is fortunate that a willing band of Club Instructors, Ski Boat SBDA drivers and beach helpers give up their time freely to encourage ski-ing to BWS standards.
The RSWSC Fly Navy adult ski racing took place in less than favourable conditions on Sunday, but was enjoyed none the less by the seasoned participants. This time the figure of eight course featured some tight bends with boat wake being enlarged by tidal currents. Skiers started off on the beach, racing to the waters edge to put on their skis and start the team races. With teams comprising of 4 members, including the ski boat driver, each member had to choose to ski the circuit on mono, pair or tricks/wakeboard (minus fins) – each discipline being covered by the team. Team “Bonkers” won the 2009 trophy with a faultless performance in all disciplines.
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Vice-Commodore Ski Graeme Statton thanked the support teams during the busy weekend for their professional approach and the competitors for their enthusiasm during the prize giving. We were delighted to have Gordon Stokes with us after his long illness and he was kind enough to step in and assist Dave Webb with presentation of the prizes. Gordon is a familiar visitor to the Club with over 55 years of ski experience – 35 of them at Rock – and was impressed by the overall standard of skiing. Club Coach Dave Webb also commented that Rock Ski section looked set for many more good years of skiing following the increasing number of junior Ski Club members.
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