Hunstanton hosts UK Water Ski Racing National Championship
- By Tim Keogh
- 01 August 2024
- Hunstanton
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Hunstanton Water Ski Club hosted Rounds 4 & 5 of the UK Water Ski Racing National Championships over the weekend of the 27th & 28th July.
Top skiers from across the country and abroad attended the graded racing in F1, F2 & F3 categories for Men, Women and Senior Opens as well as the amazing U8’s, U12’s and U15’s Junior classes. F1 racing is the top level in Water Ski competition, where the boats can reach speeds of up to 100mph.
The weather provided perfect conditions for some exhilarating performances as the calm seas facilitated faster racing, much to the joy of the hundreds of spectators lined along Hunstanton’s Southern promenade.
The most popular event, the F2 class, had seven participants, with skiers racing around a circular course for an energy sapping 35 minutes, plus one lap (the final lap enabling the skiers to manage their final ski run in).
Results:
Formula 1 - James Allen (UK)
Formula 2 - Daryl Tindall (UK)
Formula 3 - Jordan King (USA)
Open Category - Ben Diaz
Ladies - Samantha Clark
Seniors - Nick Butler
Nick is pictured above right in the grey t-shirt
U12’s - Luca Manchett
Luca Manchett - U12’s Winner with proud mother Kim
U15’s - Darcy Manchett
The next generation - Darcy (left) winner in the under 15s with sisters, Luca and Evie Manchett
Former Ladies World Champion, Kim Lumley Manchett, was in attendance and was impressed with the standard of skiing on display. With three of her daughters racing, she was even more delighted when Luca won in the U12’s class and Darcy in the U15’s on both the Saturday and Sunday.
Commodore, Ashley Cooper, was amazed with proceedings, saying simply, “Thank you to all the volunteers and the committee members for their help in organising the weekend and, of course, to the wonderful supporters who turned out in their masses to follow the event. We were fortuitously blessed with ideal racing conditions and are already looking forward to next year’s event”.
The Club are also hosting a ‘Fun Day for All’ on Saturday, 10th August inviting people experienced or new to water sports down to their picturesque HQ. They will be aided by Hunstanton Sailing Club who will be providing sailing advice and training. The traditional sand castle building and egg throwing competitions will be returning. There will also be food and entertainment on in the evening with the popular local duo, 2nd Sunset, performing live.
The Club, which has been in existence since the 1960’s, also provides a number of other facilities, including jet skiing and paddle boarding equipment, at their South promenade base in Hunstanton. They welcome members and non members alike where people can join the club for as little as £20 a year, which also gives you access to the wonderful club bar and its beautiful sunset views across the Wash. This is open on weekend evenings throughout the Summer. For more information about joining, please email hunstantonskiclub@gmail.com or just pop down to the Clubhouse.
All photos credit Paul Easton watersport photography