Regional News
Here's where you will find the good, bad, and all the gossip on is happening in the regions. Email us if you have anything to add!
WAIKATO REGION POLAR BEAR COMPETITION
Once again this year's annual Polar Bear barefoot competition was held at Mine Lake and hosted by Peter & Teresa Old. A small but keen contingent of skiers fronted up to test the chilly but good water conditions.The usual suspects were all there but a special mention must go to Doug & Anita Patterson who made the big effort and drove down from Auckland for the day.
The Old’s new Sanger was fuelled up and ready to go with Lewis McNabb in control of the driving. He was keen to get some more practice before the World Champs in Germany in August 2010.
As usual Kathy Duxfield was first on the dock and put up a solid score in slalom despite getting a sudden wind gust and a bit of crappy water at the far end of the lake. Kathy later put up a good trick score to take home the Senior Womans trophy again.
Philip Hawes and Doug Patterson were next in the Mens 2 division and had another close battle for the overall title, with Doug just edging out Phil with a superior slalom run. Bruce Clark having done very little skiing also put up some very respectable scores to take out the Mens 1 division.Next up was Jarna Old who had only just got out of bed at 11.00am after a big night out on the town! As her scores would reflect, this did not provide assistance in her ability to ski well. Good to see you out there Jarna but Dad beat you this time!........Yes of course, Peter Old, the host, had to ski and stood up his runs to reign supreme in the Presidents division.
Anthony Hawes who had just recovered from broken ribs at the nationals skied well in slalom with a solid one foot forward and backward pass. His tricks were also looking good until taking an early fall on a front to back in his second pass. The Mens Open Trophy destined for his mantle piece for another year.
It was also great to see ex New Zealand Junior Team member Josh Atkins back on the water. Josh was definitely a bit rusty and missed his back deep, but came back strong in his second pass. Having done no skiing for some time it was obvious that if he did a little training he would be back to his best in no time.
Following the skiing it was in to the spa pool for some to thaw out and into the food for others. Another great spread was provided by Teresa Old. Certificates were dished out to all the winners and a great time was had by all.Thanks to the Old’s for a brilliant day once again and we look forward to the privilege of skiing on Mine Lake again in the future.
WAIKATO REGIONAL COMPETITION
Piarere Ski Club on Lake Karapiro was once again the venue for the annual Waikato Region Barefoot Competition. This year saw a good contingent of 35 skiers from all over the country attending. Weather conditions were a little rough on the Saturday morning but calmed out nicely for the middle of the day and again on the Sunday.
A special mention must go to Georgia Groen who again showed her skills and consistency taking out the Women's Open Division and setting a new Open Tricks record of 1975 points (to be confirmed). Other top performances included Ben Groen's slalom score under pressure in the second round of 16.40 points. This allowed him to take out the Men's Open overall title by only 3/1000 points! Tyler Groen also landed his first inverted jump in a tournament of 20.50m - Well done Tyler and watch out for the Junior Jump record to be under pressure again this season.
It was also great to see ex NZ Team skier from the late 80's and early 90's, Warren Herbert, back on the water again. Although not reflected in his score, Warren showed he has not lost his touch in the slalom event with solid front and back one wakes... and did you see that wetsuit!!!!.
The Junior Boys and Men's One divisions were close once again with Matt Forsyth taking out the Juniors and Michael McGiven narrowly winning Men's 1. Local Senior Men's skier Anthony Hawes skied with the Open boys for a change and managed to stay in touch with the scores.
A lot of fun was had on the start dock with the Groen Boys up to their usual mischief. Eating spiders (okay that was Anthony), urinating on wetsuits, wearing sunglasses on a slalom run were just a few of the antics witnessed. Where do they get this from Fred?
Also it was great to see some of the new skiers coming through in either juniors or rookies. Jasmine Hickling, Chad & Marguerite Scott could be names to watch out for in the future. In the Senior Division, Phil Leach has taken over from Anthony Hawes as the new flying back deep muppet of the week, but unfortunately there is no video to prove it!
Regional News November 09
WAIKATO REGION POLAR BEAR COMPETITION
Once again this year's annual Polar Bear barefoot competition was held at Mine Lake and hosted by Peter & Teresa Old. A small but keen contingent of skiers fronted up to test the chilly but good water conditions.The usual suspects were all there but a special mention must go to Doug & Anita Patterson who made the big effort and drove down from Auckland for the day.
The Old’s new Sanger was fuelled up and ready to go with Lewis McNabb in control of the driving. He was keen to get some more practice before the World Champs in Germany in August 2010.
As usual Kathy Duxfield was first on the dock and put up a solid score in slalom despite getting a sudden wind gust and a bit of crappy water at the far end of the lake. Kathy later put up a good trick score to take home the Senior Womans trophy again.
Philip Hawes and Doug Patterson were next in the Mens 2 division and had another close battle for the overall title, with Doug just edging out Phil with a superior slalom run. Bruce Clark having done very little skiing also put up some very respectable scores to take out the Mens 1 division.Next up was Jarna Old who had only just got out of bed at 11.00am after a big night out on the town! As her scores would reflect, this did not provide assistance in her ability to ski well. Good to see you out there Jarna but Dad beat you this time!........Yes of course, Peter Old, the host, had to ski and stood up his runs to reign supreme in the Presidents division.
Anthony Hawes who had just recovered from broken ribs at the nationals skied well in slalom with a solid one foot forward and backward pass. His tricks were also looking good until taking an early fall on a front to back in his second pass. The Mens Open Trophy destined for his mantle piece for another year.
It was also great to see ex New Zealand Junior Team member Josh Atkins back on the water. Josh was definitely a bit rusty and missed his back deep, but came back strong in his second pass. Having done no skiing for some time it was obvious that if he did a little training he would be back to his best in no time.
Following the skiing it was in to the spa pool for some to thaw out and into the food for others. Another great spread was provided by Teresa Old. Certificates were dished out to all the winners and a great time was had by all.Thanks to the Old’s for a brilliant day once again and we look forward to the privilege of skiing on Mine Lake again in the future.
WAIKATO REGIONAL COMPETITION
Piarere Ski Club on Lake Karapiro was once again the venue for the annual Waikato Region Barefoot Competition. This year saw a good contingent of 35 skiers from all over the country attending. Weather conditions were a little rough on the Saturday morning but calmed out nicely for the middle of the day and again on the Sunday.
A special mention must go to Georgia Groen who again showed her skills and consistency taking out the Women's Open Division and setting a new Open Tricks record of 1975 points (to be confirmed). Other top performances included Ben Groen's slalom score under pressure in the second round of 16.40 points. This allowed him to take out the Men's Open overall title by only 3/1000 points! Tyler Groen also landed his first inverted jump in a tournament of 20.50m - Well done Tyler and watch out for the Junior Jump record to be under pressure again this season.
It was also great to see ex NZ Team skier from the late 80's and early 90's, Warren Herbert, back on the water again. Although not reflected in his score, Warren showed he has not lost his touch in the slalom event with solid front and back one wakes... and did you see that wetsuit!!!!.
The Junior Boys and Men's One divisions were close once again with Matt Forsyth taking out the Juniors and Michael McGiven narrowly winning Men's 1. Local Senior Men's skier Anthony Hawes skied with the Open boys for a change and managed to stay in touch with the scores.
A lot of fun was had on the start dock with the Groen Boys up to their usual mischief. Eating spiders (okay that was Anthony), urinating on wetsuits, wearing sunglasses on a slalom run were just a few of the antics witnessed. Where do they get this from Fred?
Also it was great to see some of the new skiers coming through in either juniors or rookies. Jasmine Hickling, Chad & Marguerite Scott could be names to watch out for in the future. In the Senior Division, Phil Leach has taken over from Anthony Hawes as the new flying back deep muppet of the week, but unfortunately there is no video to prove it!
Regional News November 09