Rotorua water skiers impress at nationals

Rotorua water skiers achieved pleasing results at the New Zealand Tournament Water Ski Association Nationals. Photo / File

Rotorua Wake and Ski Club members hit the water at Lake Karapiro during the New Zealand Tournament Water Ski Association Nationals and produced impressive results.

The event, held from April 16 to 21, included slalom, jump and trick events for a wide range of age groups and divisions.

Slalom skiing involves a multi-buoy course that the skier must go around in order to complete the pass. After each successful pass the boat's speed is increased and once it reaches maximum speed the rope is shortened in increments. The winner is the skier who manages the most passes without making a mistake.

Water ski jumpers use two long skis to ride over a jump in an attempt to travel the longest distance. In a tournament, skiers are given three attempts to hit the ramp.

Trick skiers are given two 20-second runs during which they perform a series of their chosen tricks in an attempt to score the most points.

Rotorua's Case Mastney-Jensen finished second in the girls' slalom and third in girls' jump.

Aidan Peterson was fifth in the junior boys' slalom.

Ben Klein finished second in the men's B slalom and Steve Klein was fourth-equal in the men's 2 slalom.

Ian Rogers was second in the senior men's 4 slalom.

Ian Barker was the pick of the Rotorua competitors, winning the senior men's 3 slalom.

The other Rotorua skiers competing were Dave May, Paul Martelli, Brad Barr and Colin Peterson.

Barker said the best aspect of water skiing was practice was as much fun as competing.

"We used to ski when we were kids, but we never thought about competing until we were living in Rotorua and saw the slalom course at Blue Lake."

Anyone interested in giving water skiing a go can email admin@rwsc.nz