Waterskiers head for The Throne

Waihopai Valley property The Throne is an appropriate setting for the ‘coronation’ of a new venue and event for the Marlborough Water Ski Club.

A man-made irrigation lake on the Dillon family farm will be the site of the 12th annual Autumn Swerve Slalom Tournament, to be held on April 22-23.

It will be the first time the tournament will be held in Marlborough, after previously being a fixture at Lake Kaniere on the West Coast for over a decade.

It will be the first event for the local ski club for some time, according to club member Peter Blackmore. “The local club has basically been in idle mode for the past 10 years,” he said.

“A few of us have kept the club alive but it has been very quiet. Eighteen months ago, a few of the members were given private access to the [Throne] lake and it is a superb venue.

“A lady on the West Coast and I have run the Autumn Swerve for many years and we decided to ask the Dillon family if we could hold it on their property this time around. They agreed and also kindly decided to allow spectators on to their property to watch the action.”

Peter said the Swerve, described as an event with an emphasis on fun, is traditionally held at the end of a busy national series of tournaments throughout the country.

It is open to skiers across New Zealand, with entrants given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the course on Friday, April 21, before the fun begins over the weekend. Peter said spectators were encouraged and added that anyone who wanted to just have a go on a slalom course should come along on Friday morning.

There is a wide spread of ages among the competitors registered so far, the oldest being 92-year-old Bryan Murray from Christchurch, along with sever- al younger skiers including the local Gorman children. National champions and NZ record holders are also expected to attend. The competitive slalom format sees skiers making their way around six buoys. If they achieve this, the boat speed is increased until the maximum speed for the age group they are competing in is reached. When they reach this speed the rope is shortened after each successful pass. They continue until a buoy is missed or they fall. The best skiers competing should get to the point that the rope hardly reaches the buoys.

The ‘natural basin’ lake at The Throne, a recent addition to the property, is approximately 800m long and around 13m deep in some parts, a perfect fit for a water ski slalom course. Weather allowing, skiing will start at 8.30am on Saturday, with three rounds planned. Start time on Sunday is the same. Then a head-to-head mini tournament will be held. This popular quickfire knockout event involves two boats, designed to increase the banter and speed of the event.

To get to the venue, drive up the Waihopai Valley Rd, turn onto the Avondale Valley Rd and follow the Nautique flags off the road, past their sheep yards and on to Dillon’s lake.

As well as providing an end-ofseason treat for skiers and spectators, Peter hoped the Swerve and its new venue would provide a much-needed boost for the local club.

They previously used Lake Ar- gyle, in the Wairau Valley, as a venue but according to Peter, that became too hard due to launch difficulties, fluctuating weather conditions, travel time and potential conflict with fishers.

“We basically just gave up on [Argyle] until The Throne came along. We still ski in the Sounds and on the Wairau River, but we were not doing any events for the club.”

“We have basically been in recess, so hopefully this can provide a kick start,” he added.

Debbie Wearing and Nathan Della Bosca claimed the top titles when the annual McKendry men’s and ladies singles indoor bowls championships were contested on Saturday.

At Simcox Stadium on Batty’s Rd, the ladies section saw two qualifiers come through, Debbie scoring a four on the 11th end of the final to beat Jill Hurcomb 13-10 and claim the L & W Gee Challenge Trophy. There were four qualifiers in the men’s event. In the semi-finals Kevin Wills beat Glen Hurcomb

13-7 and Nathan defeated Alec Macfarlane 15-8. In the final, Nathan made a flying start, leading Kevin 8-0 after four ends and went on to win the final and the J & J Romano Cup 12-4.

The plate event was won by Steven Grant on an extra end, beating Julian Adams 8-7.

On Sunday April 23 and Thursday April 27, new players will have the chance to learn about indoor bowls and have a go at the game. This event is been held at the Simcox Stadium starting at 1pm both days. For further details contact Glen Ph 579 2574.