Otago Water Ski Club

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rhy8Ir-AqgcitWtSINxuKN0Zu84Iwv0H?usp=share_link
Tony Gomez, Director of Sport at John McGlashan College, was in the boat during round 1 yesterday and kindly provided us with a link to his amazing photographs. These are free to download and share.

Waterski champs 2026 - Google Drive

The 2026 Otago-Southland Secondary champs were held at Bannockburn Inlet today, with all skiers completing two rounds despite sometimes variable wind.

Thanks to all who participated, officiated, spectated, sponsored and otherwise helped make this another great event.

Division and teams results are attached to this post and will be sent to schools. Skiers came from the schools listed in teams results (a school must have at least 2 skiers to be eligible for the teams event) and from Central Southland College and St Hildas Collegiate School.

Reminder for all skiers at the Secondary champs this Sunday - you must pay before you can ski in the event. Best to pay online to Otago Water Ski Club Inc account number 03 0905 0932945 00.

If you intend to pay on the day, be sure to find one of the officials and pay at the briefing at 7:15 am at the south end of the Bannockburn Inlet.

Coaching and course familiarisation is available at Bannockburn Inlet the day (Saturday) before the Secondary champs, for those who have registered. Please text Brent Wilson on 027 450 3008 to book a place.

Last year, after holding the team trophy for several years, John McGlashan College was pipped at the post by Wakatipu High and Southland Boys High. The big question on everyone's mind this year: will JMcGC make a comeback?

The 2026 Otago-Southland Secondary School Water Ski Champs will be held at Bannockburn Inlet on Sunday 22nd February 2026. The entry form will be posted here early in the new year. With summer holidays approaching now is the time to check ski gear and think about preparation for the champs.

Club champs were held this morning at Lake Waihola in perfect conditions. Thanks to all skiers and helpers.

Results
Sue McDonnell 12 points Senior Womens 2
Callum Davie 13.5 points Mens
Mark Davie 30.5 points Senior Mens 2
Steve Joint 18 points Senior Mens 2
Greg Sise 45.5 points Senior Mens 3

That wraps it up for this season, with the next event scheduled for mid June when we celebrate mid-winter with the Frosty Foot ski at Waihola.

The results are updated below, and in the original post on Monday, to show placings in each division, which now shows that Molly and Aoife were first equal in the Novice Girls U16 division. Apologies to Aoife for creating the impression that you were 2nd (which occurred because we have never had a first equal in 15 years). And thanks to the person who pointed this out to us.

The date for the 2026 champs is Sunday 22nd Feb, which will be confirmed again later this year, along with venue, etc.

After 8 years with John McGlashan College, the Don Mackay Memorial Trophy this year goes to Wakatipu High School, with Southland Boys High School a close second. The team score is taken from the best three scores in each team (or best two if there are only two in the team). To even the playing field, girls get one full course added to their individual score when the team scores are calculated, and novice skiers that ski into the championship course have a one buoy deduction in the team scores which recognises the fact that novice skiers do not have to pass through the entry gates, whereas championship do have to.

Th Otago-Southland Secondary Water Ski Champs were held successfully at Bannockburn yesterday, with perfect skiing conditions throughout most of the day. The division results are shown below, and featured keen competition in all divisions, although the best score of the day went to Max Heaps who was the only championship skier on the day, skiing in boys 16 and under.

Congratulations to all skiers 😃 great efforts all!