THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 5, 1996 TAG: 9607050144
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CAMDEN LENGTH: 53 lines
Although the competition at the River City Challenge Water Ski Tournament has increased over the years, club members insist that water skiing is something anyone can do.
The annual River City Challenge Water Ski Tournament, presented by the River City Ski Club, will be held from 8 a.m. to sundown on Saturday and Sunday at Shipyard Landing off N.C. Highway 343 in Camden.
Admission is free to the three-event tournament that includes competition in slalom, jumping and trick skiing.
Club members mowed grass and waxed and adjusted the jumping ramp this week in preparation for the club's only competition of the year.
Some members practiced the slalom course until lightning forced the boats out of the warm waters of the Pasquotank River.
On normal days, Shipyard Landing is so tranquil that you can hear the train whistle blowing from the Chesapeake and Albemarle Railroad.
This weekend, the site will come alive with over 50 skiers and their families.
Some will try to qualify for state tournaments. Others will just try to stay above water.
``The tournament's been full since about Memorial Day,'' said tournament co-chair Randy Keaton as he toweled off from a run. ``We've got people coming from as far away as New York and Key West.''
According to Jeff Mitchell, who co-chairs the tourney with Keaton, the popularity of the tournament has grown over the years because it is not just an average weekend.
``We've kept the same philosophy over the years,'' Mitchell said. ``We've done only one tournament a year. But we've worked hard to make it the best we can. We have great sponsorship and a great family atmosphere. We try to make it more than ordinary. We try to make it a fun weekend.''
Another reason for the tournament's popularity is that the River City Challenge is one of the few tournaments left that includes jumping.
``There aren't many jump sites anymore,'' Mitchell said. ``That in itself is a big factor in filling up the tournament every year.''
The River City Ski Club is interested in expanding the knowledge of water skiing at every level, even beyond the annual tournament.
``We're trying to expand the sport whether you're interested in the competitive level or just improving your ability,'' said Gary Williams, club president. ``Some people think they aren't good enough to join our club. But that's not the case. Anybody can join. It's a good family sport.''
Mitchell said the club is at a point where it would be good to bring in new members, even if that means accepting other forms of water skiing - an idea which he says may not be popular with skiing purists.
``Wake boarding has gotten big. It's an aquatic version of radical skate boarding,'' Mitchell said. ``It's a strong dimension of water skiing that has a future on the Pasquotank River. We're a traditional three-event ski club. But we are open-minded to other events.'' by CNB