BRIDGEWATER’S biggest water skiing event for the year is set for Australia Day weekend.
The Australian Masters annually brings hundreds of competitors and spectators to the banks of the Loddon for three days of elite competition.
The event begins on Saturday at 8am with slalom events on the front course.
Tricks begin at 9.30am on Saturday on the back course and jumps at 2.15pm on the front course.
On Sunday the jumps will start from 1.30pm, with the open women’s category taking to the river at 3pm, followed by the open men at 4pm. Monday’s public holiday sees the jumps from noon, with open women and men skiing from 1pm. Each day will see skiing from 8am.
Organiser Anthea Collicoat said there were 59 entries for the tournament, with the youngest competitor eight-year-old Charlie Atkin from Lake Boga and the oldest Brian Heys, 73, who is a member of the local Bridgewater club.
Age groups range from under-10 to over-70, with disabled skiers also taking part in competition. The section of river between the caravan park and weir will be limited to masters’ events this weekend.