Looking for a dedicated ski lake with your own house
No wind, warm temperatures, homologated slalom course’s and ramp. What more could a water skier want? Nestled at the foot of the Karkloof Mountain Range, beneath the second largest indigenous forest in South Africa, lies Bird Valley Estate.(Satellite Dam)
The clean waters of Satellite Dam makes watersport’s a pleasure. Skiing (for designated sites), swimming, canoeing and boat cruises are popular pass times on the estate. Trails for hiking, jogging and mountain biking have been established through forest and grassland environments and offer the chance to sight a variety of wildlife.
The dam which allows two boats to run simultaneously on each of the slalom course’s is a perfect skiing site. The dam also has tournament water ski ramp. The dam is sheltered from prevailing winds and the water remains glassy for most of the day. The morning and the afternoon sun doesn’t affect one, when jumping or slalom skiing.
The Estate is surrounded by a 1.8m high, electrified fence.
An existing channel through the extensive wetland above the dam has been cleared and shaped into 6km of winding waterways. A community pontoon boat, able to seat 12, has been purchased and equipped with cooler box and gas braai for lazy afternoon cruises upstream.
Residents have full use of the well established, grassed picnic area with plenty of shade-providing trees, a slipway, ablution block, built in braai and fire pit and the use of a wooden cabin.
There are total of 25 plots which 8 are water skiing plots. Each Water skiing plot is allowed to have 1 boat of an unlimited horse power, in addition to the small boat with a maximum of 5HP. All non skiing plots may only have a maximum of 5Hp on their only boat. Each ski site can nominate up to a maximum of 4 individuals who are the nominated skiers. Any excess over this 
number do not have water ski rights, however, they will be allowed to ski provided no nominated skier is skiing. The moment a nominated skier is ready to ski, the non-nominated guests have to leave the water immediately. In the event of more than one individual wishing to use the water, each individual shall be allocated fifteen minutes time on the water where upon he/she shall return to the back of the queue.
With 4 plots sold, only 4 left, the price of the water skiing sites are now R700 000.
For More info please contact Travis at ski6@waterskisa.co.za or 082 655 6027
The tv coverage that was taken at the 2010 Inter Club Provincal tournament is going to be on tv on the 24 March on Aquatic Fanatic, on Super Sport 5 at 19:00. For Repeated times, click here
One of the biggest obstacles in the way of smooth, rhythmic skiing is the sometimes monstrous wakes you have to cross to get from one carving turn to the next. Your ski-school coach or local water- ski hero probably keeps telling you that you need to slow the boat down to learn how to ski with symmetry, but all you see when the boat slows down is the increasing size of the mammoth wake behind the boat. Here are a few quick tips on how to overcome those wakes and link your smooth carving turns seamlessly together.
More info here
How would you describe your turns? Are they fast-flowing carves back toward the wakes or are they more of a sliding pivot, similar to a stop on hockey skates? If your turns end up more like the latter, your chance of carrying good direction into the next turn is not very promising. A fast-paced, sweeping carve, however, will allow you to carry more speed and, subsequently, have less load on the rope as you approach the wakes, making it far easier to maintain your direction to the opposite side of the course. There are three general components to a carving turn: your ski’s attitude, its roll angle and the speed required to support both. It’s time to say goodbye to that wheelied, sliding turn and allow your ski to carve the way it was designed. More Here
Process
1. An average score for each skier in each event is established by looking at performances from the current season and that of last season.
2. The average score is inserted into the EAME Scoring Software to calculate the points achieved against the EAME Overall Standing based on the division in which they would ski in the All Africa Championships (AAC).
(NB! The AAC only has Dolphin, Junior, Open and Senior 1 divisions. Therefore Bambino skiers ski in the Dolphin Division, U21 skiers ski in Open Division, Senior 2 & 3 skiers ski in Senior 1 Division)
3. The skiers with their respective points are inserted into a spreadsheet for each event, and sorted in descending order (highest points skier at the top).
4. The 2010 rules of AAC state only four scores count for each event, therefore the top 4 skiers in each event are inserted in to the SA squad.
5. The skiers to fill the rest of the squad are based on the following methods:
a. Move down the list in each event so as to give the team backup scores in case the top four skiers fail.
b. Look at the total number of team points a skier will score if the skier is a 2 or 3 event skier.
6. Once all 16 spots are occupied, repeat process 5 to see the next in line for reserve purposes.
7. As this team represents the country, the committee then approves the team based on factors other than performance (Eg: a good ambassador, behaviour, etc).
A full report back will hopefully be posted soon. I think i can say on behalf of all the skiers it was a good tournament and a fun weekend. The Head to Head on Sunday was really exciting and gave skier's, no matter how good or bad your skiing is, a chance of winning. Well done to Travis Wentzel for winning the head to head. Congratulations to the Buffels team for winning the Inter Club Pro of 2010
Individual Results Team classification
All African Water Ski Champs
The following skiers have been selected to represent South Africa in the All Africa Championships at von Bach Dam in Namibia from the 1st to the 5th of April 2010. Congratulations and well done!
- Martin Samantha
- Fairbank Simon
- Bekker Lizette
- GJ Visser
- Stroberg Tyron
- Nieuwstadt Matthew
- Fisher Jared
- De Jongh Dennis
- Van Der Merwe Eamon
- Coetzee Tarryn
- Fisher Travis
- Viljoen Gabriella
- Viljoen Anton
- Wentzel Travis
- Johnson Jan
- Schutte Louis
- Cohen Jaryd
Reserves - Martin Zaren
- Rein Cameron
- Landman Anne
- Stroberg Bradley
Your Best Wake Crossings Ever
Andy Mapple Skis Nautique 200
Sometimes you just gotta keep going!
One of the things I have always focused on with slalom skiing is technique. There are two major reason for that in my opinion: 1-Proper technique makes for less work (so more efficient), and 2-Proper technique can prevent injury (so longevity of career whether hobby or job).
Over the years with my won skiing I have had seasons/years where I focused heavily on this, but I have also had seasons where I really just tried to “give it hell”. I have had success with both and failures with both. These trends in my training have invariably followed trends in my overall attitude toward life. More here
Many Surprises af 50th Moomba Masters
The Moomba Monday Holiday in Melbourne, Australia, is always a major family day of celebration. In spite of the extraordinary weather patterns of the past week, thousands showed up for todays special 50th Anniversary Moomba Masters on the Yarra River.
Historically, the gold medals at this event usually go to the more experienced skiers and regular Moomba visitors such as Nicolas LeForestier FRA, Chris Parrish USA, Freddy Krueger USA, Anais Amade FRA and Clementine Lucine FRA. This year it was a totally new story with major upsets.
More heavy overnight rain brought a new supply of debris to the Yarra River and this upset some of the competitors routines. In Womens Slalom, 26 year old Australian National Overall Champion Cathryn Humphrey caused a sensation. She beat two co-holders of the World Record, Regina Jaquess USA and Karina Nowlan AUS and took the title with a score of 2 buoys on the 12m line. In Mens Slalom, a three-time runner-up, 32 year old Aaron Larkin NZL, took the gold medal for the first time with a score of 2.5 buoys on the 11.25m line. To achieve this he outperformed the current World Champion Will Asher GBR and World Record Holder Chris Parrish USA. It was a dream come true for the New Zealander.
In Tricks, the same trend continued. Past World Trick Champion Regina Jaquess USA and past World Overall Champion Clementine Lucine FRA, could not outscore 26 year old Natalia Berdnikova BLR. Her 7750 points were enough to take this 50th Moomba Masters title. In Mens Tricks, we had the same upset ! Russell Gay USA, past PanAm Champion, and Javier Julio ARG, the current World Overall Champion, were unable this time to out-score the young Czech Republic athlete Adam Sedlmajer who clocked up 9980 points.
It is hard to believe that exactly the same pattern continued in Jump where the regulars usually take the top places. World Overall Record Holder, Regina Jaquess USA and US Masters Jump Champion June Fladborg DEN could not keep pace with 26 year-old Natalia Berdnikova BLR as she took her second Moomba medal of the day. The Mens Jump result was even more spectacular. When 30 year-old Damien Sharman GBR took the European Jump title last year in Denmark, it was his first major title. Today he was pitched against Freddy Krueger USA, Jason Seels GBR, Zack Worden USA and Scot Ellis USA. In fact he tied for first place at 64.7m with Thomas Asher GBR and went on the beat him in a jump-off. This was an enormous victory for Damien Sharman.
The 2010 50th anniversary of the Moomba Masters was a roller-coaster of experiences. Weather extremes really tested the excellent organizers, Darren Robertson and the Victorian Water Ski Association. Most of our sports super-stars struggled to compete with the rising talents in all three disciplines. As ever, the Moomba Masters created its own annual magic and helped to continue its reputation of being one of the most spectacular events on our calendar.
Gabi takes silver at 50th Moomba Masters
WORLD’S BEST IN THE HEART OF MELBOURNE THIS WEEKEND!
“The Moomba Masters is the closest thing to skiing inside a football stadium that there is, with hundreds of thousands of Meloburne fans cheering us. It’s awesome.” Chris Parrish, USA, World Record Holder
Ever seen a human rocket 70 metres through the air at over 100 kph? Or a 6’6” slalom skier virtually rip a 400hp ski boat out of the water? If you’re from Melbourne, you probably have.
For as long as most Victorians can remember, the world famous Moomba Masters has provided quality family entertainment in the heart of Melbourne at the beginning of March every year. It is one of the biggest and most prestigious water ski events on the planet, and we have the best field ever assembled. In 2010, this iconic Melbourne event celebrates its 50th year, promising a spectacular showcase of international talent, up-and-coming stars and returning legends to make it the greatest event in its history.
Incorporating the Junior Moomba Masters, the nightly Ski Show Spectacular, Wakeboarding, Barefooting, Night Jump and of course the Moomba Masters International Invitational Championships, this will be one of the biggest water sports competitons ever
.
For half a century, the Moomba Masters International Invitational Championships has been an integral part of Melbourne’s famous Moomba Waterfest. In that time the Masters has established itself as one of the premier water ski events in the world.
The best water ski athletes on the planet – legends of the sport such as Andy Mapple, Jaret Llewellyn, Emma Sheers and Karen Neville – rate Moomba one of their favourite competitions. They say it is the closest thing to skiing in a stadium that there is, with hundreds of thousands of spectators lining both banks of the Yarra River for the holiday weekend.
Gabriella Viljoen from Cape Town returned to skiing after a shoulder operation at the she had at the end of 2009 and the current 3rd ranked Junior Slalom skier on the latest IWWF rankings list flew off to the 50th Junior Moomba Masters last week, to defend her title as the reigning Junior Moomba Slalom Champion. This year the Yarra was up to its normal tricks with constantly shifting waters, however with much better weather conditions than 2009. The Junior divission brought competitors from New Zealand, Australia, Columbia, Mexico, England, USA including two of the top 5 Junior Girls, no’s 1 & 2 in the world, both from the USA. The waters of the Yarra makes keeping a level head a prerequisite, as Moomba is all about winning and not so much about a top score. After round 1, Gabi skiing seeded 3 last, was lying in second position with 1.5 buoys on 12m line making her 5.5 buoys ahead of the third placed skier with the World no 2 on 3 buoys on 12, after the Yarra took care of the top ranked skier. Round 2 came along and it was again a perfect day, with the tide low at the turn and the water below the backwash rails ended with Gabriella scoring 2 buoys on 12m line after a tailwind 13m line to end with the Silver medal having been beaten by the top seed Makayla Haw who again got 3 on 12. The next time these two meet again will be at the US Masters at Callaway Gardens in May this year.
Gabriella skis in the Open Woman Pro Event starting on Friday
The confirmed talents include:
WOMENS
Karina Nowlan, Australia – Co-World Slalom Record Holder, World Slalom Bronze Medallist 2009
Regina Jacquess, USA – Co-World Slalom Record Holder
Anais Amade, France – World Slalom Silver Medallist 2009, defending Moomba Masters Slalom Champion
Clementine Lucine, France – World Overall Silver Medal, 2009
June Fladborg, Denmark – World Jump Silver Medal 2009
MENS
Javier Julio, Argentina – World Overall Champion 2009
Freddy Krueger, USA – World Jump Champion 2009, current World Jump Record Holder
Jaret Llewellyn, CAN – World Jump Silver Medallist 2009, World Overall Bronze Medallist 2009 (defending Moomba Masters Jump and Night Jump Champion)
Will Asher, Great Britain – World Slalom Champion 2009
Chris Parrish, USA – current World Slalom Record Holder (defending Moomba Masters Slalom Champion)
Aliaksei Zharnasek, Belarus – World Tricks Champion 2009
DID YOU KNOW?
- Moomba is one of the biggest water ski tournaments in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators to the banks of the Yarra River every year.
- 2010 is the 50th Anniversary of the event, which professional water skiers from around the world regularly rate as their favourite.
- Water ski distance jumpers soar up to 240 feet across the water, accelerating into the base of the jump ramp at over 120kmh with nothing but thin rubber holding them into their skis.
- The top Mens and Womens slalom skiers negotiate the course on a rope length shorter than the distance from the boat wake to the buoys, forcing them to hit speeds of over 100kmh accelerating out to each buoy, using every inch of their body to lean out around the turns.
- The first person ever to jump over 200 feet was Australian Glen Thurlow, at the Moomba Masters in 1983.
Congratulations Gabi and good luck for friday!
All African Champs
Below is the invitation to attend the All Africa Champs in Namibia from the 1st to the 5th of April.
Click here to down the entry form
The note below is from Martin Schmidt, please will you let him know if you’d like him to book your flights for you.
SAA has agreed to give us a good price on the air tickets from JHB of ZAR 2 423.00 all inclusive.
Im guessing from Cape town the price will be simelar. You know that my ticket from WNK JHB WNK was above ZAR 3000 so this is a good price
Everyone that intends flying should respond to me as to 1. What day they want to come to Namibia
2.What day they want to leave Namibia
3. Their full names as well as who is traveling with them
these reduced prices are for anybody coming to the comp
I will forward the info to SAA and they will come back and confirm prices
Please can i have this info by Thursday 25 March the latest as i need to book with SAA on Friday morning, Remeber this is easter weekend and i presume the flights will be quite full
Thanks & Best Regards
Martin
Click here to down the entry form
KZN Open. Satellite Tournament
Report Back and results will be up in the next few days
Photo's: Slalom Round 1 Photo's here
Slalom Round 2 Photo's here
Jump Photo's here
Quaggaskloof coaching weekend
Waterski = the wind factor. How strong, is it South East or is it North West. That was the main question on everybody�s lips prior to the past weekend at Quaggaskloof Dam.
The weekend started on Friday night when all the coaches and boat drivers had a braai at Piet�s beautiful house � and as promised by the weather man the wind was howling, but that did not stop a great party. Saturday morning before sunrise, while most skiers were still in dreamland, the organizers were busy preparing for a busy day of training. All the skiers, old and new reported at the Quaggaskloof Club house where after they were taken on 3 different boats to be coached on either trick skiing or slalom. Needless to say, with the persistent wind, most skiers opt for tricks during the morning until the wind started to die down. After a day of training a number of newcomers as well as moreadvanced skiers, the coaches Cameron, Simon. Matthew and Samantha could take a well deserved break. But instead of sitting down and drinking beer, they were on the Wet Bikes and Quad Bikes to use up the last drop of energy that was left in their tired and sun-burnt bodies. On Saturday evening everyone was entertained with a bring and braai at the Clubhouse.
Sunday morning greeted us with not a breath of wind and flat water � perfect conditions for every skier and spectators. The day started early and the first skier was on the water at 07:30. Twenty two skiers participated in the mini league competition and a large portion were new comers who impressed everyone with their enthusiasm, sportsmanship and newly acquired techniques. We even had some parents who jumped at the chance to show off their skiing skills, hoping to at least reach a boat buoy � just a pity that after the first round they discovered a few new muscles which was not willing to go a second time. After the first round in perfect skiing conditions we started with the second round with the spectators clinging to their seats under the gazebos � hiding from the well known Worcester summer sun. Most of the skiers were pleased with their results, while a few realized that water ski is a sport that needs a lot of practice, mental ability, focus and real determination. There is very little room for error, and while this may sound nerve wrecking, it is also a great challenge to be the best you can be every time you put your ski on.
A BIG thank you goes out to all (both on & off the water) that were involved in making the weekend such a success.
Kyle Eade Seriously Injured in a Jump Crash
Professional water-skier and coach, Kyle Eade, who spent 2 weeks in South Africa coaching a few of our skiers and showing them the new trends within the sport has been seriously injured in a jump crash
On Thursday 11th February, after a day of coaching in the South Island, he took a jump set but had a mild out the back crash on his first ¾ cut.
He landed on the back of his neck and immediately lost almost all feeling and sensation to his arms and legs.
With great assistance from Scott McFadden and Kirsty Spittlehouse, he was stabilized in the water and the medics were called.
He was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital where he was given a series of X rays, CT scans and MRIs.
The tests showed fractures to his C4 and C5 vertebrae. On the positive side the test showed the spinal cord was still intact although there was extensive bruising and swelling around C4 and C5 level.
From CaringBridge http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kyleeade/journal 5pm 14th February
Scot Ellis is in raising money for Kyle and has up a foundation. Donate directly to Kyle at www.SkiFly.com
From Now until March 15th, 2010, H2Osmosis Sports will give a percentage of all sales from both h2oproshop.com and the H2Oz Training Center to Kyle and his family. http://www.h2oproshop.com/
Please keep Kyle and his family in your thoughts at this time.
Minutes of WP Meeting 8th Feburary 2010
WP have decided by majority vote not to award WP colours this year or select a team for the Interprovincial club competition, as they feel that there is not yet enough structure in place in other provinces to be able host representative Interprovincials. The hope is expressed that it can be done next year. This will depend a lot on other provinces reforming a structure to be able to select teams.
I have copied in representatives of Northern Cape, KZN, Gauteng etc since it is important that we get Interprovincial competition going again, as not doing so, places us at risk as an organization with regard to selecting SA teams and then requesting the awarding of National Colours, while we have in effect no provincial or representative structures is place. This is a major issue that we as skiers and representatives hope will be able to be addressed by both skiers and any future SA Tournament Criteria committees. In the interim it would be an important first step to get going with the club competition being held at Skiworld as a start.
Not doing so will in my opinion lead to the further demise of skiing in SA especially in provinces where there currently is no structure as currently exists and is slowly growing in WP.
Regards Anton Viljoen
Quaggaskloof coaching weekend
The Quaggaskloof coaching weekend is around the corner and we hope you are as excited as we are.
Registration will take place at house no.43 from 8h00, where your fees can be paid (cash only) and indemnity forms can be signed. (it will be treated on a first come first serve basis)
The directions to Quaggaskloof dam is available on the WP website which is www.wpwaterski.co.za. When you come in at the main gate please follow the road and look for the round boards indicating the house no’s , when you see no. 43 turn right and it will be the first house on the right hand side (follow WP water ski banners). Registration will be in front of the house on the lawn.
The level and training needs of each skier will be determined and then dealt with accordingly.(Please bring your own ski’s where possible). There will be a short presentation to introduce the new comers to the three disciplines in Tournament skiing being Slalom, Tricks and Jump. During this presentation the slalom course, rules and scoring of the different disciplines will be dealt with. More here
EAME 2012 in South Africa!
Congratulations to Lake Grappa who will host the U21 European Champs in 2012!
Separating the Edge Change From the Handle Release
One of the more common struggles I witness while coaching slalom skiing is how to manage control of the handle and body position throughout the edge-change process.
Many skiers make the mistake of combining the release of the handle with the edge-change. What achieves greater results is separating the two... the edge change should occur somewhere close to the center of the wakes, while the release of the handle should be done about half way out to the width of the buoy from the center of the wakes.More Here
Ski World, Interprovincial Club Comp, 12-14 March 2010
Skiers and members of the following clubs/dams/ & skiers who ski at those dams take note: Gauteng: Skiworld, Harties, Buffels, Germiston, KZN: Satelite, Thornlea, Northern Cape: Lake Grappa, Western Cape: Mofam, Bon Es, Kwaggaskloof, Bulshoek, Piketberg, Eastern Cape: Portland Manor, Hogsback, and any others that we are not aware of kindly take note of the following:
“
The main focus from the outset of this 2009/2010 committee was to get A ) the organization of competitive tournament skiing functioning better, some of which has been done, with a realistic amount of tournaments on the calendar, skiers licenses collected and ratings books issued, the Additional SA rules and SA Records updated, the judges database now finally updated, a judging upgrade seminar to be held with the people wishing to upgrade SNR 1 Judge, as well as the overseas teams entry and participation having been administrated while a tournament dedicated website was commissioned www.waterskisa.co.za And B) The most important for the growth of the sport in SA, but specifically in the provinces outside of WP ( where there is structure and regular activity ) to get new participation through the restarting of clubs so as to go on a reform provincial structures.
The first of annual Interprovincial Club Championships will be held at Skiworld in Benoni from the 12-14 March 2010. The format of the tournament will be advised in detail by the organizer Don Shead. More Info Here
Photo of the month- January 2010
January 2010- "Work Sucks I'm going skiing". Sent in by Brett Nieuwstad
Please email ski6@waterskisa.co.za your best picture of the month. It can be anything related to skiing eg. your site, you/friend skiing, your boat etc. Your picture must be sent before the 26th of that month. Winners will have their photo's displayed here
Kwaggas coaching weekend Invite (12-14 Feb 2010)
Coaching Clinic on Sat 13 Feb Start @ 08:00
Valentine Mini League slalom on Sunday 14 Feb Start @ 07:00
Click here to download full info bulletin or contact the following people below
Contact Piet van der Merwe 083 226 2982
or Jasper Schutte 083 261 1286
Eame Youth Bulltein 1
Date: 24 August 2010- 29 August 2010
Place: Gmunden, Austria
OFFICIAL TOWBOAT
The Official Towboat is Ski Nautique 200, 5.7 L, Zero Off.
Download full bulletin, here