LAKE Boga Water Ski Club is launching the new season with a family day and coaching sessions on Sunday.
Existing members, ski enthusiasts and beginners will be given lessons in kneeboarding, wakeboarding and foiling.
Club secretary Chris Lahy said Matt McPherson will instruct in kneeboarding and Trav Osborne in wakeboarding and foiling.
He said there was a cost associated with the sessions, and places were filling fast.
“For people who don’t know what foiling is, yes, it’s often known as an air chair,” Lahy said.
“You hop on them and they rise above the water … it takes quite a lot of skill to use your weight and position to achieve a result.”
Participants ride specialised skis equipped with hydrofoils underneath the water’s surface. These hydrofoils generate lift as the skier gains speed.
“That’s quite the sport that’s happening now,” Lahy said.
“We have quite a few participants in those bookings and it looks like it’s quite a popular event.”
Lahy said new members were welcome to “pick up something you haven’t done before”.
“These coaches coach at all levels,” he said.
“So if you come as a novice, a bit of a hack at it, or want to improve your skills, these coaches will improve your skill sets at any level you’re at.”
Lahy said the aim was to create a family atmosphere with a barbecue lunch and drinks available.
“We just try to make it a great day for people to either watch or participate,” he said.
“The season’s coming up and we have good weather on the way, so it’s a good opportunity for people to get on the water.”
The COVID pandemic and its aftermath hit the club, and it was only now really emerging.
“I talked to everyone around the district and clubs, and they all said a similar thing that coming out of the pandemic period, we really had to start all again and rebuild,” Lahy said.
“That’s what we’re trying to do now, is to find our members again, find our volunteers … that’s the task set before us at the moment.
“We have such a great place at Lake Boga, where people can connect with us and enjoy the great outdoors and that great aquatic playground.”
For more information about Sunday, call Toby Gilmour on 0477 781 123 or Paul Martin on 0456 762 301.
