Rollin’ on the river: Ray Perrett at Geelong Waterski Club.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A STEADY stream of champions has passed through Geelong Waterski Club, including under-21 women’s world record holder Jacinta Carroll.
President Ray Perrett proudly listed off Jacinta’s achievements, including US Masters and Australian open jump records.
“The club has hosted many world record holders,” he added.
“Several of our members have been world-class competitors in various events including slalom, tricks, jumps, wakeboard, barefoot and disabled events.
“We also have up-and-comer James Sheldon who was selected in the Australian under-17 team and Jamie McDonald has just taken out the world disabled jumps record.”
Ray said former champions including world barefoot ski champion John Stekelenburg and numerous Australian junior and open-age winners had been club members.
“The secret is to start them young,” Ray said.
“The club holds a monthly ski school for our strong junior section. It teaches them to improve and that helps keeps them interested.
“The ski school helps juniors from beginners through to learning slalom and tricks.”
Ray said the club’s 300 members were evenly divided between social and competition skiers.
“We have 60 boat members and that’s about all we can take because we want to keep it manageable, especially on the water.
“But there are other memberships available. We even have fishing members who like to have a secure spot for their cars and boat trailers while they potter up and down the river.”
Ray said the club had regular weekend competitions and social skiing events as well as two tournaments a year.
“One is an interclub tournament for all Victorian ski clubs. Geelong has won it six years on the trot.”
Ray said the club hosted Victorian titles in March on its international standard courses.
The club had access to a stretch of the Barwon River from an historic viaduct downstream from Breakwater almost to Lake Connewarre, he said.
Barwon Valley Water ski club operated on a stretch of the Barwon around Moorabool St Bridge.
Ray said the club had some gear at its clubrooms on the banks of the Barwon River at St Albans Park for new members interested in trying the sport.
The club would celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, with former members invited to a reunion, he said.
The new water-ski season is about to begin and runs until Easter.
Ray said anyone wanting more information on the club could visit its website at gwsc.org.au.
