Water ski club makes waves
The water ski club returns for its third consecutive year at GC&SU with a splash.
Erin O’Neil, president of the water ski club and a nationally ranked skier, is hoping for a large turnout this year and has expectations of making it to nationals.
“Last spring our team was ranked second in the Conference and this year we are striving to finish even stronger, with hopes of competing in the national tournament which will be held in Kentucky,” O’Neil said.
The club is part of the South Atlantic Conference and competes among the seven southern states, excluding Florida.
The water ski club participates in three regular tournaments in the fall and three in the spring. Competitions consist of three events and feature five men and five women from each school in each event.
Women and men do not compete against each other; however, their points are combined for one overall score.
Events include the slalom event, the trick event and the jump event.
The slalom is done on one ski, and the skier goes through a course consisting of six buoys. The idea is to make it through the course without falling or hitting one of the buoys.
The trick event can be done on either a trick ski or a wakeboard, and a panel of judges evaluates each contestant.
The third event is the jump event, which is done off of a five-foot ramp. The objective is to jump the farthest distance after propelling off of the ramp. The speed of the boat can reach up to 32 miles an hour, and the minimum speed is 24 miles per hour.
The water ski club is made up of students of all talent levels from beginner skiers to advanced skiers.
“A lot of times people are intimidated and don’t find out information about the club because they feel they will not be good enough; although it is very important to know that all levels of skiers are welcome,” O’Neil said.
Meetings are held every Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. in Room 216 in the Student Activities Center and practices are held three days a week at Lake Culpepper located off of Highway 441.
Membership in the club costs $40 each semester and whether you have your own equipment or not, there is always plenty of equipment at the lake to share.
“It’s a lot of fun and you learn a lot of stuff, and whether you’re good or bad, you can always come on out to the lake and work on whatever technique or event you might be struggling with,” said member Josh Hustetler.
Anyone interested in becoming part of the water ski club may attend one of the weekly meetings to check the club out for themselves.
Another water ski club member, Nate Greene, said, “If you enjoy skiing and are looking to have fun, join the water ski club.”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 2 2005. Filed under Sports.
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