LIFELONG Lake Boga water-skier Kelly Atkinson won silver and bronze representing Victoria for her fifth Australian Waterski National Championships in Port Macquarie at the weekend.
Atkinson won silver in over 45 women trick, with a combined score of 4490 points from two rounds and bronze in over 45 women slalom, with two buoys at 52km/h and a 13m rope, which was also a personal best.
She also made her debut as Victorian mixed over 35 team captain for the event.
“It was an honour being the captain, and as it was only my fifth nationals competition it was a bit of a surprise, but a definitely a privilege to be named,” she said.
“It was a great bunch of people in the team and all of us medalled in some capacity across slalom, trick and jump.”
The Victorian team is set to host the 2026 Australian Waterski National Championships, which Atkinson hopes will have even stronger Lake Boga representation.
“There’s a great bunch of juniors coming through Lake Boga at the moment and quite a few who are very close to qualifying for the state team, so there’s going to be a lot of training over the next 12 months to support them,” she said.
“We hope to keep growing; Toby Gilmour and Paul Martin have been really proactive getting training opportunities to the club across lots of disciplines to accommodate everyone’s waterskiing interests.
“The more members we have the more opportunities we can provide, and that’s allowed us to improve the facility with a new kitchen.”
Atkinson grew up skiing with her family at Lake Boga and made her return to the sport about five years ago as her children picked up the skis.
“It’s been a family sport my entire life, and I started skiing in tournaments probably about 25 years ago to join my brother when he was competing,” she said.
“After a 20-year break, my comeback was probably in line with the Lake Boga Water Ski Club resurgence, when they renewed their membership drive, got a slalom course and gained more interest in the community.
“My kids started competing, so I joined in.”
More Lake Boga skiers will represent Victoria this weekend as the champions continue, including Lee Bray in over 21 men’s slalom and trick, Mitchell Bray in under 17 slalom, trick and jump, and Georgia Bray in under 14 girls slalom, trick and jump.
Lainey Styles will make her Australian Waterski National Championship debut after earning her first national rating at the Victorian Waterski Titles in March.
