Plenty of action on the Kalgan River in the 54th edition of the Lower Great Southern Water Ski tournament

Albany Water Ski Club held its annual Lower Great Southern Water Ski tournament at the weekend, with 17 skiers hitting the waters of Kalgan River to compete in slalom and trick competitions. The two-day event doubled as round three of the WA State Series, as skiers came from Albany, Perth, Bunbury, Mandurah, York, Boyup Brook and Wagin. Veteran Graham Budd, 84, was there in action and has hit the water in all 54 tournaments since it started, while competitors under the age of 10 also made their presence felt. The competition is the longest continuous running water ski event in Australia. Perth’s Damon Nottle again took out the A-grade slalom ahead of Jake Duperouzel and Dion Butler who tied for second. Damian Cooper defeated joint runners-up Byron Nottle and Aaron Sands in the B-grade slalom competition. In the C-grade slalom, Archie Dowding walked away victorious ahead of Lucas Easton and Bruce Rodgers. Michael Hailand took out the D-grade slalom category ahead of Dave McCracken and Bailey Butler. Hamish Butler won the E-grade slalom event. Duperouzel won the B-grade trick title. Jake Hailand and Cooper tied in the C-grade event ahead of Kynan Spencer. Dowding won the D-grade trick division in front of Easton and Ian Briant. Budd claimed victory in the E-grade competition. Dion Butler also skied with his two sons at the event, Hamish and Bailey. Albany Water Ski Club commodore McCracken said the event was a huge success. “It was a great effort from our young up-and-coming skiers over the weekend,” he said. “It was overall good consistent skiing from all the contestants over both days. “Damon Nottle was very consistent and Aaron Sands skied very well.”