Dave Owens speeds round in the M50 class. Photo: Niall Featherstone
The club ventured to try a new event on 19th May and trialled a "Grass Roots racing event". The basic idea is that skiers compete individually in a timed event over laps of the basin. The skiers are also limited to a pair of skis so everyone competes equally. The skiers are split by age category to enable age group competition, and the distances are graded on age. This in theory should give all participants the chance to compete against others of similar age on the same footing.
Skiers waiting to go. Photo: Anne Madge
The shorter distances make the cost of participation much cheaper than mainstream ski racing. Shared kit and a tow boat also helps people participate without the need to invest in their own equipment. This, in theory, is an easy "grass roots" way of introducing people to water ski racing without the cost and high speed and should be a great way of getting new people involved at a very basic level. Everyone at all ages can have a go too, providing they are able to ski.
The idea is that the event will be open in the future to more members of the Northern region. The initial distances set as a starting point for the event are as those set out below. The maximum distance is 5km which the faster skiers have typically being covering in around 5 mins 30, with others down around 6-7 minutes. So overall the time skiing and distance is within the grasp of all skiers.
category
Age
Laps
distance
Senior Men
18-40
8
5km
M40
40-49
8
5km
M50
50-59
8
5km
M60
60-69
6
4km
M70
70-79
4
2.5km
M80
80+
2
1.5km
Senior Women
18-40
4
2.5km
W40
40-49
4
2.5km
W50
50-59
4
2.5km
W60
60-69
3
2km
W70
70-79
2
1.5km
W80
80+
2
1.5km
Dave Binks in the M70 class: Photo Anne Madge
And so to the results of the first "trial" event. There was a lot of initial interest amongst invited guests but perhaps the cold weather put them off. Indeed the water may have been warmer than the air. Dave Binks was the first skier to take to the water and he was the only one to compete in the M70 class. Fred Simpson was amongst the spectators, but didn't fancy a dip to contest the M70 event.
Dave Binks: Photo Anne Madge
Despite having a number of possibles in the M60 class no-one took part. Cliff Featherstone couldn't be persuaded to don his wetsuit, perhaps he didn't want to show everyone up. Dave Owens was again the only rider in the M50 class and Simon Binks and Geoff Watson in the M40 class. Niall Featherstone who did a grand job with pictures and drone work but was unable to have a go due to an injured ankle.
Dave Owens on his 8 laps. Photo Niall Featherstone.
Dave Owens recorded the fastest time of the day for those competing 8 laps of the course, finishing his run in 5 mins 27, closely followed by Geoff Watson in 5 mins 30. Simon suffered with his back and completed his run in 6:52.
Despite being fewer skiers than expected the day went well and hopefully we can attract more for the next one. Ski-ing hands in front on a pair is quite hard work and if you push yourself it is challenging. Ski racing certainly does not need to be about big skis, high speed and high cost. There is as much challenge in racing at a basic level like this as it was in the early days of racing. Hopefully an event of this nature will allow people to race on a much easier basis, but also be a pathway to higher level competition and events if the skier so desires.
