SportsLife issue 4, 2016 | Page 14

National Water Ski Championships Heading to Manitoba By Johnston Hall, Photos courtesy Water Ski Canada Steve Bush, the head coach of Canada’s national water ski team, is excited about spending some of his summer in Manitoba. After all, it will be a great opportunity for the head coach to get a look at his national team in action. Water Ski Wakeboard Manitoba will play host to the 2016 Canadian National Water Ski and Adaptive Water Ski Championships at the Water Ski-Wakeboard Manitoba Tournament and Training Facility – also known as Lake Shirley – in Winnipeg. Built for the 1999 Pan Am Games, this site has since played host to numerous regional, national and international events, including annual Provincial Championships (2015, 2012, and 2008), Western 14 / sportslife Canadian Water Ski Championships (2005 and 2000), National Championships and the 1998 Pan American Championships. “The 2016 National Waterski Championships will build on this legacy,” said event organizer Rhonda Boresky. “And it will also draw attention to our sport and the community programs offered by our association.” For Coach Bush, it will be a great opportunity to see his young skiers in action and it will also give spectators a chance to watch the best and brightest in our country. “Canada’s national teams are selected for and compete at international events, so our national championships are one of the only events in the season where spectators have the opportunity to see Canada’s top skiers of today and tomorrow,” said Coach Bush. “Skier results from the nationals play a significant role with team selection for international events later in the year such as the Can Am Challenge, Pan Am Championships, Junior World Championships and the Senior (over 35-yearsof-age) World Championships. “We expect many of our elite team, who together won the World Team Title in Chapala Mexico last fall, to be in attendance. Skiers such as Ryan Dodd (Current World and Pam Am Jump Champion,) Whitney McClintok (Current Pam Am Slalom and Overall Champion; second in Slalom, and Overall at Worlds), Neilly Ross (second in Tricks at Worlds) and Jason McClintok (second in Slalom at Pam Am Games) are sure to impress and entertain spectators.” The Canadian Water Ski Championships occur every year, hosted by provinces on a rotational basis. This year’s event, including Adaptive Water Skiers, will draw more than 100 participants. “We will be fortunate to have some of World’s top skiers participate, defending their positons on the Canadian National Water Ski Team,” said Boresky. “We also expect strong performances from skiers working their way to the top. We anticipate hundreds of spectators to come out and see their performances.” What should make this event stand out is the venue. Lake Shirley is considered one of the top water ski and wakeboard facilities in the country “Lake Shirley is one of Canada’s best water ski venues and home to Winnipeg’s Taryn Grant, a national team member who won a gold medal in slalom and a silver medal in jump at the Under 21 World Championships in Madrid Spain last year,” said Linda Carroll, the Chairperson of the 2016 National Water Ski Championship. “I look forward to exceptional performances from our junior and elite national teams. “We are really excited to be hosting such exceptional talent in a world class venue, all open to spectators at no charge over the four day event.” l