There are plenty of farm fields in the rural northeast end of Port Colborne.
Tucked in the middle is T’s Pond, a 550-metre-long, man-made lake on a 12-hectare property, the headquarters of Greater Niagara Water Ski Club, which hosted a tournament Saturday with close to 20 people of all ages and skill levels.
The Niagara Regional Slalom Championships draws people from across southern Ontario, many travelling from outside Niagara, said Teresa Wiwchar, the club’s owner and one of the competitors.
The club is sheltered from high winds that can sometimes put action on hold, and is far from homes.
“The good thing about a private lake like this is we don’t have any neighbours,” she said moments after going for her first run of the day.
“You need calm water. You can’t stick a slalom course on the river,” said Wiwchar.
She purchased the Forkes Road property about eight years ago. At the time, the south end of the lake existed as a result of land having been used as infill for the construction of the nearby Highway 140 overpass in the 1970s.
About three years ago, she acquired a permit from the City of Port Colborne and brought a contractor in to extend the body of water for a proper water ski course, she said.
Saturday’s slalom tournament didn’t involve any prize money.
“It’s not really a money-making sport,” Wiwchar said.
In advanced categories Saturday, competitors were required to be a member of Water Ski Wakeboard Ontario, an organization that scores and officiates the event.
T’s Pond’s tow boat is a 2020 Ski Nautique and course skiers are pulled through a surveyed, Canadian record capable slalom course, said the club’s website.
Wiwchar said the speed travelled by each athlete varies, such as males aged 16 to 35 maxing out at 58 km/h, and younger kids not going any faster than 28 km/h.
Males older than 35 usually hit their maximum speed at 55 km/h, said Wiwchar, adding she tries to hit 52 km/h as her top speed.
The club will host its season finale event Sept. 10 and 11.
The club also offers lessons and water ski sessions. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Kris Dubé is a reporter for the Welland Tribune. Reach him via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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