SRNSW Junior Ski Camp 2012

Well, what a weekend we had at ther January Ski School Camp! Friday morning we welcomed 53 kids and many families to White Sands Resort. After the official paperwork was done,(thanks Sharmaen) it was time to introduce all the new faces to everyone, all 21 of them. Our Paramedic, Graham arrived and as the 10 boats were put in the water, Leanne Campbell and Alex Ross put the kids through their paces with some fitness training. From all the red faces, we could tell everyone worked hard. It was time to hit the water. With Danny Cropper on the bank matching kids with boats and skis, everyone was out on social skis and arms in front. Our Camp was underway.

We had kids aged from 6 to 15 with very different levels of capabilities. Ian Gordon, Cliff Priest & TJ Priest took our 5 beginners, Sophie, Jessica, Luke, Giovann & Violet. Where Ian spent most of the day in the river! After an endless supply of drinks and fresh fruit for morning tea, it was back to the water, with the barge loaded with those wishing to learn how to ride the disc with Joel at the steering and Graham observing. We had kids going 1 up and 2 up behind boats ,everyone was out on the water with Trudi Stout , Alex Ross, Leanne Campbell, Danii Coyte, Garry Hayes , Steve Coyte, John Raicevich & Chris Bennett, Smithy & Coldy just to name a few in boats, driving, observing and offering advice when needed. Paul Wetsteyn & Craig Gordon in Summa Humma spent the afternoon with a group of girls learning how to do "Beachies" under the guidance of Trudi Stout.

As the evening neared it was time for showers and a BBQ tea, we sang Happy Birthday to Reily Russell and Grace & Abbie and polished off a large chocolate cake. After everyone had washed and dried their own plates etc it was time for games organised by Jon & Mandy Horbury down the front. We had plenty of laughs and a small presentation. The first award going to Dave Coldy for being the only boat to take his skiers around the top corner and let the wrap up while no-one was looking!

We woke up to grey skies on Saturday morning, Tara Hannon arrived to put the kids through her fitness program.  I took a bit of extra prompting for our helpers Jayden, Shaun & Jamie to get up and  every one was ready to start by 7.15am. After fitness it was time for breakfast.  Brayden Jameson, Rob Williams, Steve Raicevich, Trent Eastgate & Tayla Lurhmann arrived to lend a hand. Once Alan, our Paramedic arrived it was time to put the boats in. The kids skied all morning, stopping briefly for morning tea.  Mandy had games organised on the lawn and with Kara Williams keeping score the kids learn't how to throw a ski rope. The rain didn't dampen anyones spirits. After hot dogs for lunch the rain had eased and it was back to the water . Ian took his beginners with Simon Russell with the exception of Violet who had mastered coming straight up on doubles on Friday. All social skis were left on the bank and out went the finless, freeboards, discs, doubles, finless doubles etc. Danny arrived back from Stephen Robertsons Tribute and once again organised everyone. Brandon Cropper drove non- stop all day. Our wonderful parents and kids had made a huge array of cakes, biscuits & slices for afternoon tea. Darren Patterson came and helped with handles & ropes for our new kids and gave advice on wetsuits. James King jumped in and drove as did Rick Zorratto. Greg & Jo Houston arrived and it was almost time for showers and preparation for tea. Matt Jones had made 60 pizza doughs. With the help of Jo, Catherine, Naomi, Joel, Laurelle,  Sharmaen , Deb & Michelle, the  pizzas were rolled out and toppings put on. The pizza oven decided it didn't want to play to its full capabilities so out came the other stove which Joel took charge of and pizzas continued to flow through both. We had all kinds of pizzas, though the cheesy garlic and the Nutella pizzas were the kids favourites. The kids ate their ice cream while our panel of guests( Greg Houston, Jacqui King, Darren Wells & Mark Jamison) spoke and answered questions. The kids sat in total silence whenever Greg spoke. With the help of Jon as MC, Greg and Mark then demonstrated on land a marathon! With Jack Harrison out the back with the skis. Greg & Mark got in their boat (a hoolahoop around their shoulders) donned their helmets(shiny purple shower caps) put on their goggles(swimming goggles)and life jacket (Bibs) and they were off walking in a circle showing the kids how a marathon works. At one point it was suggested that Greg had had a dummy spit and next thing had  a pink dummy in his mouth!. The kids and adults alike were in fits of laughter. We all learnt something from your visit Greg , so thank you very much for your informative talk and for being such a good sport. Thank you to you Jo, for helping me with the dishes! Unfortunately time got away and it was far too late for our movie. We lit a huge fire and had marshmallows and everyone mingled until it was bedtime. No arguments about bedtime tonight everyone was exhausted. The older girls were in their tent for about 10 seconds when one by one they all came out screaming about a frog in the tent. When they had all calmed down  I went in armed with a torch only to discover the "frog " had become a "slug" in Shelbys sleeping bag.

Sunday morning the sun was up and so were we by 7am thanks to Rohan and his banging pots and pans. You can only imagine just how popular he was! It was down to the front for some more fitness and karate moves.

Breakfast was served and those pancakes and bacon & eggs went down a treat. The boats hit the water for the last day, thanks Casey & Laura Proctor  for bringing your 3 beautiful girls and The Bandit down all the way from Cowra and driving for us. Alan arrived so it was time to ski again. Jason Walmsley (Zigs), Renae Gray, Andy Shearing ,Chris Stout and Dale Jamison had come to join our band of helpers today. Zigs took a group around the corner to learn backward starts. Brayden skied with the kids and showed them his backward starts as did Jayden. Tayla skied and helped the kids, and had an attempt at wiping Crystal out!. Danny kept the kids going on the bank, ensuring everyone had at least attempted something new. Danny & Chris were helping the kids with their beachies. Thanks Chris, we could see you were sore from skiing the Tribute, yet you continued on in waist deep cold water. Renae observed in the boats and told the kids of her experiences. After lunch it was time to pack up as our Camp had come to an end. Every child received a Hi Tech Oil bag filled with goodies donated by Hi Tec Oils, DC, Zigs Marine, Tara Hannon, Wizard Wetsuits, Coldy, along with a towel, drink bottle and information pages.

I would sincerely like to thank each and every person who attended our camp. To our helpers and trainers we could never have done it without your help,I have listed some of our helpers, if I have forgotten anyone I am sorry we sincerely appreciated all the help, and to the kids, you guys are a credit to your families, you were an absolute delight to spend the weekend with so thank you.