Footloose in Forbes

The event has been initiated by NSW Barefoot Water Ski Club and is hoped to draw around 40 people to Lake Forbes, from local to global barefoot champions. 

Organiser and local  skier Jim Cronin said typically it has been people in city and coastal areas who have had access to these types of competitions, so he hopes the tournament will entice country participation in the sport.

“There are a lot of good barefoot skiers in Forbes but they don’t get the opportunity to travel down to Sydney or go in a competition to see what it’s like,” he said. 

“So we hope this will get more country people involved in the sport and give them easy access to professional coaches.”

Some of the well-known champions expected to attend the tournament are Australian skiers Kye and Michaela Cornall, Ken Derry and his three sons including current junior world champion Keenan Derry, former Australian champion Brendan Chattaway and junior Australian representative skier Connor Rogers.

On Friday, February 6 there will be an opportunity for entrants to have a training day with professional champions before the tournament.

Anyone who can barefoot on a long-line is invited to receive the coaching run by Liverpool-based NSW Barefoot Waterski Club. 

On the weekend, the tournament will begin with each competitor given two passes for each day of the competition.

Entrants are expected to be given around 20 seconds to complete their tricks and jumps.

The Lake Forbes Aquatic Area is expected to be temporarily closed from February 6-8 for the tournament.

The NSW Barefoot Water Ski Club have applied for an aquatic  license through the Roads and Maritime Service in order to close the waterway during the tournament period. 

It is hoped that if the event is well supported that it will become an annual event.

If you are interested in participating or have any questions about the tournament, contact Jim Cronin on 0428 483 556.