Canada's Three Top Tournaments In Ontario This Summer
By  Paul Jurbala

Ontario Water Skier readers already know the three biggest events in
Canadian water skiing - the Canadian Masters, the Canadian Barefoot
Championships and the Canadian Water Ski Championships - will all be
held in Ontario this summer. As the excitement draws nearer, here's a
look at ongoing preparations - and a chance for you to get involved.

CANADIAN MASTERS

The list of invited skiers to the Canadian Masters (July 21-23) reads
like a Who's Who of the top skiers on the planet. Correct Craft (Ski
Nautique) is the headline sponsor of this major event, which will be
held at Skier's Place, Orangeville. The rigorous qualification process,
which involves being in the top 5 on the World Standings List, a 1994
World Champion or top 5 on the Bud Pro Tour, U.S. Masters or Canadian
Open, yields names like Sammy Duvall, Andy Mapple, Bruce Neville, Matt
Rini and Jaret Llewellyn on the men's side, and Susi Graham, Kim
deMacedo, Helena Kjellander and Britt and Tawn Larsen on the women's.
Then, for good measure, throw in wakeboarders Darin Shapiro, Russell
Gay and Jeremy Kovak! In all, the world's top 40 or so skiers will be
in Ontario for what promises to be a dazzling weekend. Advance tickets
are available exclusively from the OWSA  (cash, cheque, VISA) - call
(416) 426-7092 to reserve your spot on the shore.

CANADIAN BAREFOOT CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Canadian Barefoot Championships will be, by comparison, more of a
"down-home" affair.  "Intense" is probably a better description of
Canada's top barefooters fighting it out at Bush's Ski School in Bala,
Muskoka August 10-13. The championships, part of a waterfront festival
that weekend which will draw boaters from Toronto and all over cottage
country, is planning to put together a major prize list including a
winner-take-all Canada vs USA jump event. In addition to local business
support, two 200 hp Mercury-equipped Malibu Flightcraft will be pulling
the event, courtesy of Sun and Ski in Bala and Mercury Marine.

Local organizers (and father and son) Dave and Brent MacDonald are
pulling out all the stops to make this the finest National Barefoot
Championship event ever. Brent writes,"We're overwhelmed with the
support and excitement surrounding this event. We have a massive
variety of prizes from HO Sports, Mercury Marine, Mike Seipel's
Barefoot International, Banana Boat, etc! The tournament will consist
of two rounds for all divisions and will finish by Sunday morning. It
will be followed by the Canada vs USA Ultimate Barefoot Jumping
Competition. The entry fee has been set at $125. For more information,
call Dave or Brent MacDonald at (705) 687-3749.

CANADIAN WATER SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS

In any other year, the Canadian Water Ski Championships to be held at
Skier's Place near Orangeville would be Ontario's headline event. This
year, though, the limelight (and the volunteers) must be split three
ways. Nevertheless, the Nationals will be the culmination of Ontario's
busiest water ski summer ever.

The National Championships has the character of Canada's water ski
family reunion. Looking at last year's results, one is immediately
taken by the number of times the same last names appear in the medals -
for families like Ontario's Townsends (Harold, Jimmy and Sara),
McClintocks (Joel, Jeff, Jim, Sherron, Judy Messer, not to mention the
kids), Manitoba's Doble family, Quebec's Lanthiers, and so on. Although
the skiing is still top-notch - the entries will include past and
present World Champions and National Team members - the atmosphere is a
little more laid-back than that of the Masters. The event organizing
committee, recognizing this, is making the effort to include more
family activities at the site, such as basketball and a play area for
the little skiers. It's a place to come out (no ticket required,
although a parking fee will be collected with proceeds to local
charity) and see Canada's best in a relaxed, informal setting from
August 23rd to 27th.

All these events could use a hand on the volunteer side. The Nationals,
in particular, is appealing for assistance with the thousand and one
tasks such as registration, running the beer tent, organizing the
facilities and awards, and generally helping at the site. If you can
lend a hand, please call the Ontario Water Ski Association office and
put your name forward - your assistance is needed to make these events
Ontario can be proud of.