Milestone for popular skiing competition

A field of almost 50 competitors will help the Albany Water Ski Club celebrate the 50th anniversary of their annual Lower Great Southern Water Ski tournament on the Kalgan River this weekend.

In the past 50 years the popular tournament has seen many national and international champions take to the water and the club has received terrific support in the lead-up to their major event of the season.

Nominations had risen to 47 late this week and competitors from around WA will converge on the Kalgan River to compete in trick, slalom and jump events, all of which are part of the Malibu State Series.

An anniversary dinner will be held on Saturday night at Motel Le Grande to bring past and present competitors and people involved in the industry together as part of the celebrations.

AWSC commodore Geoff Brady said it was going to be a fantastic weekend of celebrations.

“The AWSC is excited to host the 50th anniversary of the Lower Great Southern Water Ski tournament, believed to be the oldest running tournament in Australia,” he said.

“In the past we’ve hosted both national and international ski greats like Ryan Green, Sarah Green and Tom Asher. We’re looking forward to catching up with old and new skiers at our celebratory dinner on Saturday.”

Albany’s Steven Moss, a former national champion, has been coaching a number of young skiers at this week’s ski clinic in preparation for the competition and is eager to take part in his 19th local tournament.

“This is just great for the club and the skiers down here,” he said.

“To have almost 50 here on the river again is fantastic.

“There have been a lot of great memories and a lot of people are making the effort to come back this weekend.”

Veteran Graham Budd, who is in his 80s, will be in action this weekend having competed in the first ever Lower Great Southern Water Ski tournament back in 1968.

Tickets are still available for Saturday night’s dinner and spectators are encouraged to come along and watch the competition.