Waterskiing

Permission to take part in Waterskiing and similar activities in the Camel Estuary is granted by the Padstow Harbour Commissioners (‘PHC’) by the issue of a Ski Permit.  If a person ignores or contravenes any of the Rules and Regulations, or acts irresponsibly on the water, this permission may be withdrawn. Permits can be obtained from RSWSC, the Beachmaster (next to RSWSC) or PHC. The Rules and Regulations governing Waterskiing on the Camel Estuary.

Ski Permits

Since 2016 ski permits can only be issued to vessels whose owners hold an SBD2 (or equivalent) ski boat driver’s qualification. The Ski Boat Driver Level 2 is designed for anyone who wishes to drive unassisted for water skiing and/or other associated disciplines and is, for many, the starting point on the ski boat driver pathway. It is considered the benchmark standard to drive at clubs throughout the UK on both Inland and coastal ski sites. More information can be found on the BWSW website.

Rules

The rules on driving water-ski boats require drivers to be members of the British Water Ski and Wakeboard. Membership of the BWSW is discounted if you join from an affiliated club such as RSWSC.

Please carefully read through the sections of the yellow permit application form sent out with your pack, before completing it.

The SBD2 is the recommended qualification for driving water skiers.  Locally, it can be obtained from Charlie Toogood at the Camel Ski School.  He is aware that some people have been driving skiers for many years on the estuary and is willing to take this into consideration when booking a course.  The RYA Powerboat 2 is not adequate, but the Ski School is able to provide a ‘top-up’ course to bring it up to SBD2 level.

For those who are new to the estuary, Camel Ski School also includes an explanation of the skiing rules for the estuary which you will find in your booklet (given out with your ski numbers) and also ski area etiquette.  If in doubt, refer to the map in your booklet or speak to a Ski Committee member.

Padstow Harbour Commissioners website offers information on moorings and how to book them here.

Ski Safety

Safe behaviour and practice is fundamental to the ethos of the RYA and BWSW and all we stand for.

The key safety messages of both governing bodies are:

• Look after yourself
• Have a plan
• Keep in touch
• Know your limits

Much more information is available at:

• BWSW – Coaching and qualifications
• RYA – Safety info

We urge everyone to get trained to extend their knowledge through one of these courses.  The priority is ski / sports boats in the ski area and towing skiers or inflatables. We hope that this helps members to understand the need for action and that you are in no doubt about where RSWSC stands on safety, safe practices and responsible attitudes.

The Rules and Regulations governing Waterskiing on the Camel Estuary.

The Camel Estuary Ski Area Map shows where skiing is allowed, the basic anti-clockwise circuits, the area for inflatables, the general raft and ski beach locations, as well as the out-of-bounds areas.

Click below to view our newsletters:

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Red Kelly, a sailing member,  realised that the waterski section of the Club was increasing in numbers and that a competition should be organised for the skiers.  He generously presented a cup for the winner. Red was in the Fleet Air Arm – hence the event name!

Each team consists of one boat, one driver and three skiers each competing in a different discipline over a set course.  The Junior Shield was introduced in 1988 and uses the same course as the senior event but only has one skier using the discipline of his or her own choosing.  A time handicap system is used to level the playing field across the age groups.  Plenty of Junior Shield entrants have graduated over the years to become seasoned Fly Navy participants as well.

We are always keen to see new participants, either whole teams or just individuals who can join others to make up a team on the day – it is always good fun, both skiing and watching from the ski beach, so do come along.

Click below to view results:

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The discounted club membership is listed on the website:

http://www.bwsw.org.uk/membership/membership-fees/

Other discounted benefits are on

http://www.bwsw.org.uk/membership/bwsw-discounts/

When renewing club and boat membership Please remember that joining BWSW through RSWSC is cheaper than joining direct.

Also as we are an affiliated BWSW club we are required to join all skiing members to qualify and meet the guidelines of the governing body.

History of Water Skiing at the club as written in "The First Fifty Years"

The amalgamation of the Water Ski Club was achieved in 1980 after protracted and difficult negotiations. The whole question of control of water ski-ing had a long and troubled history. It is a complicated story. The North Cornwall Power Boat and Ski Club had its origins in the early 60’s when a group of enthusiasts got together. They started off Cant Cove but soon moved to the sandy Cassock Beach under Brea House. With the growth of the sport and increasing congestion both the Duchy and the Padstow Harbour Commissioners (P. H. C.) became concerned about the control and safety aspects. When the Sailing Club adopted the new rules in 1972 allowing all water users to become members it was felt the time was ripe for our Club to assume responsibility for water ski-ing as well as sail racing.

Accordingly, in 1972, negotiations for amalgamation of the two clubs began. But they failed for two main reasons. The first was because at the time the Sailing Club had little to offer in the way of premises and facilities, and the Ski Club quite naturally did not see why they should have to pay a much larger subscription. The second was because of a dispute between the Ski Club and the P. H. C. over ski areas. The Ski Club operated off Cassock Beach and wished to move to the smoother water of Cant Cove, where there were fewer sailing boats.

The P.H.C., perhaps influenced by the Wadebridge boating fraternity who regarded the Cant Cove area as their water, turned this down. In view of all this the Sailing Club did not feel they could exercise control, and so the matter was dropped.

For the time being the Water Ski Club exercised what control they could over all ski-ing in the estuary. But many members of both clubs felt that the present situation was unsatisfactory, and inescapable logic pointed in the direction of total amalgamation of the two clubs, so that all boating activities on the estuary should be controlled by one authority. Accordingly in 1976 negotiations were reopened. For a time there were strenuous objections from some Ski Club members to their having to accept full membership of a club in which they only participated in one activity. There were also worries by some Sailing Club members about the extra responsibility the club would have to undertake. But in the end reason prevailed and the Ski Club put forward positive proposals in time for the 1979 R. S. C. Annual General Meeting. As a result the Ski Club joined us from January 1^st. 1980, and the club’s name ultimately was changed.

Much of the credit for the success of these negotiations must go to Sidney Hill, Vice Commodore Power Boats since the reorganisation of Flag Officers in 1976. Also the Bernard Rush and Tony Bowden on the Ski Club side. As Tony Bowden reports, it was a delight for them to have somewhere to meet, other than the Rock Institute or the Pub. Prior to amalgamation the Ski Club had existed for the purpose of negotiating ski areas and regulation with the P. H. C. and to try and enforce some sort of discipline on the water. In this way they kept the concept of water ski-ing alive despite much opposition. Since amalgamation all water ski-ing on the estuary has been under the control of our combined club, and the two sports, sailing and ski-ing, have coexisted with the minimum of friction. In 1981 Red Kelly presented the Fly Navy Cup, which is the only trophy exclusively for water skiers. This is really a fun event as estuary conditions are not really suitable for the serious disciplines of slalom, jumps and tricks. Nevertheless, since amalgamations a slalom course has been laid and two pontoons and a ski jump provided, the latter through the kindness of Mike Hewitt. These are now in full use in high summer. The season begins with the “Easter Splash” when a few hardy souls brave the elements out on the water and warm themselves up at a beach barbecue. Water ski-ing generally has become increasingly popular on the estuary.