LAKE Boga Water Ski Club again proved itself a small force to be reckoned with over the second weekend of the Australian championships held in Port Macquarie.
Youngster Georgia Bray cleaned up in the under-14 girls category, winning gold in trick and jump, bronze in slalom and taking out the overall under-14 girls championship.
Georgia’s father, Lee Bray, won gold in trick and silver in slalom, with her brother Mitch coming seventh in jump and trick and ninth in slalom.
Swan Hill College student Lainey Styles also made her national debut, having taken up the sport just two years ago.
Last weekend, lifelong Lake Boga water-skier Kelly Atkinson also won silver and bronze in trick and slalom respectively.
Mr Bray said the small club stands tall on the national stage.
“Lake Boga’s a pretty small club in comparison to some of the others across the country,” he said.
“But it definitely bats above its average. We had five skiers from Lake Boga competing in the nationals which is pretty impressive.”
To compete in the Australian championships athletes must attain a minimum national rating for each category.
Georgia Bray said her favourite competition is trick, with the 14-year-old specialising in a wake-360 – a mid-air revolution spin.
Mr Bray said having both children post personal best scores was a proud family moment.
“I grew up competing in water skiing and my sister (Kelly Atkinson) also competes in water skiing,” he said.
“It’s been a family sport for a long time for us, and now the kids do it as well so it’s great fun.”
Lainey Styles competed in the under-17 slalom competition after qualifying at the Victorian State Championships.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind, Lainey went from just competing in state comps and all of a sudden got into the nationals,” her father Tim Styles said.
“She set herself a goal just to get a 52-kilometre pass, and then to get your rating you have to do it twice at the Victorian Titles.”
Lainey still has one year left to compete in the under-17 age bracket next year and is raring to go for next season.
“Nationals was a big learning curve for her, and she said she’s pretty determined for (next year),” Mr Styles said.
“She’s got 12 months to work hard and see where it gets here; she loved the experience.
“She’s made some good friends through the Victorian Teams and the supportive community down at Lake Boga is fantastic.”
