Kalgan crown beckons at the annual Lower Great Southern Water Ski tournament this weekend

A strong field of skiers will take to the Kalgan River this weekend for the annual Lower Great Southern Water Ski tournament, consisting of trick and slalom disciplines.

Run by the Albany Water Ski Club, the competition is the longest continuous running water ski event in Australia.

More than 15 competitors are set to take part in the two-day tournament, now in its 54th year.

The tournament is part of the State series and will attract skiers from Perth, York and Mandurah as well as Albany skiers.

Skiers will take part in slalom and trick events across the weekend.

Albany Water Ski Club commodore Dave McCracken said a strong field had entered.

“It’s definitely exciting to have the event back for another year and a strong field of skiers,” he said.

“We have Graham Budd who has competed in every event all the way down to under-10s, so it’s a great range of skiers.

“The fact the event has been running for more than 50 years is remarkable.

“It looks like it will be good weekend and we encourage spectators to come out and watch.

“We are nice and sheltered on the Kalgan, so it will be good viewing.

“It’s a great opportunity for families looking to get into the sport to come out and see what its all about.

“Hopefully everything runs nice and smoothly.”

The tournament starts at 8am on Saturday, with the two rounds of trick and slalom to be held across Saturday and Sunday.

Points will be amalgamated across all the rounds to determine respective division winners.