Ski spectacular back on agenda

One of Australia’s premier daredevil sporting events is scheduled to return to the Wimmera River at Dimboola next year.

Dimboola Boat and Water Ski Club has confirmed February 18 and 19 as the return dates for its Peter Taylor Memorial Barefoot Water Ski Tournament and Night Jump.

The event, which in the past has attracted some of the best bare-foot ski jumpers in the world, rates as one of the biggest barefoot water-skiing attractions in Victoria.

Restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the timing of events has meant organisers have had to wait almost three years to reschedule the Wimmera River showcase.

Event spokesman Darren Bone said all involved were excited about the prospect of bringing the Wimmera River at Dimboola to life with ‘amazing’ skill and acrobatics.

“We’ve had a long time to think about what we need to do after the pandemic forced us to abandon the event last year,” he said.

“We had a small exhibition event on the Australia Day long weekend to gauge where we’re at and hopefully it’s now all-systems go.

“Our last Peter Taylor Memorial event was in November 2018, which means we’ve been in limbo for three years. But all sponsors have kept their money in the project and want to help us make this event really fly.

“We have also been working in conjunction with Dimboola Rowing Club, Hindmarsh Shire Council and Barengi Gadjin Land Council. Barefoot Waterski Australia, Barefoot Victoria and Barefoot SA are also right on side and all the barefoot clubs across Australia want to be involved in what will probably make this one of the biggest of all barefoot Australian events.”

Barefoot skiers launching from ramps under lights at night is the highlight of the barefoot water-skiing tournament.

Ben Franks of Adelaide won back-to-back titles in 2018 after recording a jump of 25.2 metres, winning from world jump champion of the time Tee Jay Russo, 24.6.

The event has generated broad interest from enthusiasts across the country and an Australian junior development squad will be among competitors jumping on the Friday night of the competition.

“The Australian Institute of Sport is providing $4000 to support the junior squad visit, which will also include a week of training at Dimboola in the lead up to the tournament,” Mr Bone said.

“The top two juniors from Friday night competition will go into the senior field on the Saturday night.”

Plans are that the event will culminate with a fireworks display over the Wimmera River.

Dimboola was developing a reputation as the home of Australia’s premier barefoot water-skiing event when the pandemic shut down community events across the state and country.

Organisers had been desperate to run last year’s event, originally scheduled for late March, based on extensive financial and volunteer efforts that had gone into planning and estimations that it raised about $280,000 for the Dimboola economy.

The event had won endorsement from the sport’s leading administrators and competitors and State Government backing.

“We are back, at this stage,” Mr Bone said.