ACT Waterski Association

ACT Waterski Association - Calendar

About the ACT WaterSki Association

(A Brief Historical Overview with Contacts at the end of the page)

History of Water Skiing in the Monaro (ACT) Region Water skiing was unknown in the area until the late 1950's when the Canberra Murrumbidgee Speed Boat Club started to mix racing with a little social waterskiing. About this time the Canberra Water Ski Club was formed by Bill Sugden and members started skiing on Burrenjuck Dam at what is now the Good Hope Tourist Resort (near Yass). The Canberra Boat Owners Club was also waterskiing on Lake George until the lake dried up during the drought of the mid sixties .

Molonglo Water Ski Site

Dairy Flat
Pialligo & Fyshwick

Prior to 1972 access to the Dairy Flat site on the Molonglo River (adjacent Pialligo Fyshwick and the airport) was only available by launching boats illegally on the downstream side of old Dairy Flat Bridge and paddling upstream under the bridge before commencing skiing.

In 1972 permission was granted by the then Federal Department of the Interior for Zone 9 of the NSW Water Ski Association (NSW WSA) to conduct the NSW Tournament Championships on the current site. At that time, organised skiing in the ACT was under the control of the NSWWSA through local water skiers. To facilitate this championship, a ramp was constructed adjacent to the present judging tower. At this time, regular access to the site via the gate was not permitted outside organised events.

In 1974 the Australian Barefoot Championships were conducted on the site and local skiers made approaches to have permanent access provided for training and competition. This permanent access also opened the area to the public and increased its popularity and usage.

In 1978 local ACT water skiers played host to the world when they staged the "1st World Barefoot Water Ski Championships". The potential of the site as a world-class competition venue was now well recognised and various applications for permanent facilities and upgrading were submitted between 1978 and 1984 by local waterskiers as part of Zone 9 of the NSW WSA. This group of skiers later formed the ACT Water Ski Association, as a separate State level association with representation on the Australian Water Ski Association.

After 12 years of lobbying and hardwork a substantial grant to build an International standard sporting facility on the Molonglo River at Dairy Flat was announced by the Federal Minister for Sport Recreation and Tourism and the Minister for Territories. The grant was funded under the National Sports Facilities program. The water ski facility (and a range of other sports) projects were funded to provide Australian sportsmen and sports women with world-class facilities necessary to prepare for international competition and improve Australia's chances of attracting top overseas athletes and teams to compete in Australia.

The National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) on behalf of the Department of Territories managed the construction of a water ski facility on the banks of the Molonglo River. In the development brief, the NCDC clearly set out th epurpose of the facility as the "development will be for public use with the primary use for local, State and National Championships organised through the ACT Water Ski Association".

In the application lodged by the ACTWSA in 1984 for funding under the International Standard Sports Facility Program, the Association was mindful of the needs of the community and included facilities for the public and disabled. This action by the ACTWSA has not been generally recognised by the social skiers currently using the facility. All of the facilities currently enjoyed by all skiers, social and competitive, have been provided as a result of initiatives taken by the ACT Water Ski Association. It is obvious from the statements of each of the ministers involved in the funding to lift the venue to its current high standard, that the primary intention was to provide a training and competition venue.

Current Use Arrangements
Under an agreement reached by the Department and the then ACTWSA, the Association is granted the right to conduct 6 regular events each year, taking into account the needs of Barefoot, Tournament and Wakeboard competitors. In addition to these regular partial closures, National and International events qualify for additional closures when these events are allocated to the ACT. For these events we only the main basin and at no stage is the river ever completely closed to the public for social skiing.

Public Access
Boat Owners are able to book session times on the river. Conditions apply. For full details Canberra Connect during working hours on 132281. Available time slots on the river can also be viewed on www.bookings.act.gov.au

Following NCA approval, Tournament Division conducted a 4 month trial of a slalom course training facility at East Basin, Lake Burley between 1 Nov 05 to 28 Feb 06. The trial was a success and approval has been given by NCA to continue with the use of East Basin as a permanent training site.

Barefoot Division will not be active during the 09/10 Summer due to lack of members. Anyone interested in Barefoot should contact the Presient below.

Contacts

President Noel Dix- 62577815 (w), 62426365 (h) or mob 0403 447314.

Barefoot Vacant

Tournament Ben McCulloch- mob 0412 115641

Wakeboard Christine Stokman - 62526064 (w) or mob 0408 639030

Waterski ACT Office Phone/fax 62577815. Email actwsa@cyberone.com.au (Staffed on an part time occasional basis only)

Ski Racing ACT 0409 515258 (Part of Ski Racing Australia)

ENJOY YOUR SKIING

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History of Water Skiing in the Monaro (ACT) Region	Water skiing was unknown in the area until the late 1950's when the Canberra Murrumbidgee Speed Boat Club started to mix racing with a little social waterskiing. About this time the Canberra Water Ski Club was formed by Bill Sugden and members started skiing on Burrenjuck Dam at what is now the Good Hope Tourist Resort (near Yass). The Canberra Boat Owners Club was also waterskiing on Lake George until the lake dried up during the drought of the mid sixties .
Molonglo Water Ski Site Dairy Flat Pialligo & Fyshwick	Prior to 1972 access to the Dairy Flat site on the Molonglo River (adjacent Pialligo Fyshwick and the airport) was only available by launching boats illegally on the downstream side of old Dairy Flat Bridge and paddling upstream under the bridge before commencing skiing. In 1972 permission was granted by the then Federal Department of the Interior for Zone 9 of the NSW Water Ski Association (NSW WSA) to conduct the NSW Tournament Championships on the current site. At that time, organised skiing in the ACT was under the control of the NSWWSA through local water skiers. To facilitate this championship, a ramp was constructed adjacent to the present judging tower. At this time, regular access to the site via the gate was not permitted outside organised events. In 1974 the Australian Barefoot Championships were conducted on the site and local skiers made approaches to have permanent access provided for training and competition. This permanent access also opened the area to the public and increased its popularity and usage. In 1978 local ACT water skiers played host to the world when they staged the "1st World Barefoot Water Ski Championships". The potential of the site as a world-class competition venue was now well recognised and various applications for permanent facilities and upgrading were submitted between 1978 and 1984 by local waterskiers as part of Zone 9 of the NSW WSA. This group of skiers later formed the ACT Water Ski Association, as a separate State level association with representation on the Australian Water Ski Association. After 12 years of lobbying and hardwork a substantial grant to build an International standard sporting facility on the Molonglo River at Dairy Flat was announced by the Federal Minister for Sport Recreation and Tourism and the Minister for Territories. The grant was funded under the National Sports Facilities program. The water ski facility (and a range of other sports) projects were funded to provide Australian sportsmen and sports women with world-class facilities necessary to prepare for international competition and improve Australia's chances of attracting top overseas athletes and teams to compete in Australia. The National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) on behalf of the Department of Territories managed the construction of a water ski facility on the banks of the Molonglo River. In the development brief, the NCDC clearly set out th epurpose of the facility as the "development will be for public use with the primary use for local, State and National Championships organised through the ACT Water Ski Association". In the application lodged by the ACTWSA in 1984 for funding under the International Standard Sports Facility Program, the Association was mindful of the needs of the community and included facilities for the public and disabled. This action by the ACTWSA has not been generally recognised by the social skiers currently using the facility. All of the facilities currently enjoyed by all skiers, social and competitive, have been provided as a result of initiatives taken by the ACT Water Ski Association. It is obvious from the statements of each of the ministers involved in the funding to lift the venue to its current high standard, that the primary intention was to provide a training and competition venue. Current Use Arrangements Under an agreement reached by the Department and the then ACTWSA, the Association is granted the right to conduct 6 regular events each year, taking into account the needs of Barefoot, Tournament and Wakeboard competitors. In addition to these regular partial closures, National and International events qualify for additional closures when these events are allocated to the ACT. For these events we only the main basin and at no stage is the river ever completely closed to the public for social skiing. Public Access Boat Owners are able to book session times on the river. Conditions apply. For full details Canberra Connect during working hours on 132281. Available time slots on the river can also be viewed on www.bookings.act.gov.au Following NCA approval, Tournament Division conducted a 4 month trial of a slalom course training facility at East Basin, Lake Burley between 1 Nov 05 to 28 Feb 06. The trial was a success and approval has been given by NCA to continue with the use of East Basin as a permanent training site. Barefoot Division will not be active during the 09/10 Summer due to lack of members. Anyone interested in Barefoot should contact the Presient below.
Contacts
President	Noel Dix- 62577815 (w), 62426365 (h) or mob 0403 447314.
Barefoot	Vacant
Tournament	Ben McCulloch- mob 0412 115641
Wakeboard	Christine Stokman - 62526064 (w) or mob 0408 639030
Waterski ACT Office	Phone/fax 62577815. Email actwsa@cyberone.com.au (Staffed on an part time occasional basis only)
Ski Racing ACT	0409 515258 (Part of Ski Racing Australia)