Florida’s Best Water Skiers To Compete In Palm Bay
By Sue DeWerff // July 13, 2013
Water Ski Championships kick-off Today
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Many of the finest water skiers from around the state have their sights set on slaloming, jumping and trick skiing their way to victories today in their respective age/gender divisions as the Florida State Water Ski Championships get underway this morning at Still Water Lake in Palm Bay.
Hosted by the Space Coast Water Ski Club, the event will feature more than 150 athletes ages 5 to seniors, age 65 and up, who will compete in at least nine divisions.
FINEST WATER SKIERS FROM FLORIDA
Residents of the lakeside community, Colten and Cullen Fry, who are among the local favorites to win Boys II slalom — according to Ed Roberts, the club’s president, are hoping their knowledge and practice training for on the water at this venue during their summer break will pay off.
“My favorite event is slalom,” said Cullen, 9, the reigning 2012 Boys I division national slalom champion.
He and his brother, Colten, 14, who have been competing since they were 4, both learned to water ski on training skis at 2.
Colten, who just last weekend, set his own personal best on the slalom course at a sanctioned AWSA, American Water Ski Association, event held as a practice run for competitors this weekend at the site, rounding 3 buoys at 35 off, a standard two rope is 75 feet, currently ranks second in the nation in the discipline.
71st ANNUAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
Colten, who just last weekend, set his own personal best on the slalom course at a sanctioned AWSA, American Water Ski Association, event held as a practice run for competitors this weekend at the site, rounding 3 buoys at 35 off, a standard two rope is 75 feet, currently ranks second in the nation in the discipline.
“We are extremely excited about holding this state contest, one that is being held for the first-time on our man-made site here,” said Eugene Fry.
“This is big for us, and we are expecting to see some of the best junior competitors from the state compete here. I am anticipating some records to be broken, and hoping the weather holds.”
The two-day event, one that will prelude the Goode-sponsored 71st annual National Championship tournament scheduled in August at Okeeheele Park, in West Palm Beach, is one that will provide opportunity for those looking to qualify to compete there a look at their competition.
AWARDS CEREMONY AT PALM BAY ODYSSEY CHARTER SCHOOL
At 6:30 p.m., an awards ceremony for the junior competitors will be held at Palm Bay Odyssey Charter School cafeteria, 1755 Eldron Blvd., S.E., Palm Bay.Officers from the club will hold a meeting after the banquet style event to nominate officers for the upcoming 2013-2014 season for the Florida Water Ski Federation.
WANT TO WATCH?
WHAT: Florida State Water Ski Championships
WHEN: Today thru Sunday
WHERE: Still Water Lake, Palm Bay
FOR INFORMATION: FloridaWaterSkiFederation.org
ABOVE MAP: The awards ceremony for the junior competitors will be held at Palm Bay Odyssey Charter School cafeteria, 1755 Eldron Boulevard S.E., in Palm Bay.
