World first for watersports coming

More than 200 people will make a splash at Lake Karapiro this weekend in a world first.

The Asia and Oceania International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) World Waterski Championships 2017 are coming to New Zealand, splitting between Lake Kereta in Auckland and Lake Karapiro in Cambridge.

IWWF vice president Ed Donald said The NZ Waterski Association is looking to bring together all five divisions of waterskiing to one major event.

‘‘The whole world will be watching to see how it works out.

‘‘IWWF is about to turn 75 so for the 75th anniversary celebrations, they want to copy what we’re doing but in Florida, so if it’s all a success we’re kiwi trendsetters,’’ he said.

Lake Kereta will host the Tournament and Barefoot Waterskiing, and Karapiro will host the Wakeboarding, Waterski Racing, and Show Waterskiing events. The Australian Show Ski team will perform at both locations.

There will be 11 countries competing at the event, which will run from February 3 - 5. Some big names will be there, including Australia’s top waterskiiers Cory Teunisson, Tony Laconi, Zara Kell and Sam Brown.

‘‘On the Saturday we are trying to put together a three hour action package for the public, so they can see the best of the best and it’s not drawn out the whole day,’’ said Donald.

He is hoping the banks will be full of spectators.

‘‘Karapiro was chosen because it’s a great site. The Mighty River Domain and Don Rowlands Centre are second to none and it has the capacity to hold a huge crowd,’’ he said.

The Saturday gate charge is $10 for adults, and under 15 free.

But that’s not all that’s happening this weekend.

It will be an action packed weekend for horsey folk too, with the Keyte Watson Tournament at the Cambridge Polo Grounds.

Australia and New Zealand ladies will battle it out on the polo field from 9am - 4pm from February 4 - 5.

It’s also the North Island Pony Club Championships at the Leamington Pony Club from February 4 - 5.

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND ‘‘They want to copy what we’re doing but in Florida, so if it’s all a success we’re kiwi trendsetters. ’’