Ski Club dominates Western Regionals

The Canyon Lake Ski Club brought home 27 medals including eight championship golds from the 2022 Western Regional Water Ski Championships at Bell Acqua Lakes in Rio Lindo recently. Twenty Canyon Lake Ski Club members attended, including skiers, judges, drivers, and scorers.

Almost 300 skiers in the Western Region qualified to participate, and Canyon Lake Ski Club members were on the podium 27 times.

Liam Brady (Boys 3) qualified for the 2022 Nationals at the event and said he is excited to ski all three events at his first-ever Water Ski Nationals in Kansas next week.

“It makes it even more special that my grandmother will also be skiing all three events in Women’s 6,” Liam said. “I had a personal best in all three events, and I look forward to more.”

Grandmother Diana Parker also qualified for Nationals.

“I love the fact that Three-Event water skiing is such a family sport,” Diana said. “This is three generations for us. Rachel Brady (my daughter), Liam Brady (my grandson) and myself (mother and grandmother) have all skied Slalom, Trick, Jump, and placed overall at many regional events.”

While some of the club’s younger skiers participated in their very first regionals at the Rio Lindo event, the championships marked the 30th time for Scott Larson and Diana Parker. Brad Hartwell skied in his first regionals all the way back in 1972.

“I had fun skiing at my first Regional Tournament, and I was proud of my score,” Jake Kerber said. “I skied better than my tournament average.”

Jake‘s sister also received recognition.

“I was surprised to get the most improved award,” Julia Kerber said of her regionals recognition. “All my practice rides and Junior Development clinics paid off.”

Canyon Lake’s Kim Larson serves as the Chief Scorer at the Western Regionals. Photo provided by Janelle Kerber

Many of the Canyon Lake Ski Club members at the championships participated as scorers, judges and drivers. The club drivers were John Jacobson, Dee Johnson, Scott Larson, and Tom Nathan. Official judges included Brad Hartwell, Kevin Hyatt, Erik Larson, Kendra Nathan, and Steve Volz. Scorers were Cathi Hartwell, Joe Perez, and Kim Larson.

“We are proud to have so many committed members who are official scorers, judges, and drivers,” John Jacobson, Canyon Lake Ski Club Board member, said. “We would like to recognize Kim Larson who was named the Official Chief Scorer for the entire four-day event.”

The results of the Canyon Lake Ski Club members who participated in the various events were:

• Liam Brady (Boys 3 Division) took 2nd in Trick, 2nd in Jump, 5th in Slalom and 2nd Overall. Liam also received Most Improved Jumper in his division.
• Julia Kerber (Girls 2) took 5th in Slalom and received a Most Improved Junior Award.
• Kendra Nathan (Girls 5) took 1st in Slalom, 1st in Trick, 1st in Jump, and 1st Overall.
• Katie Horton (Women’s 1) took 1st in Jump, 5th in Trick, and 5th Overall.
• Krista Larson (Women’s 2) took 4th in Trick.
• Erik Larson (Men’s 2) took 5th in Slalom, 5th in Jump, and 5th Overall.
• Scott Larson (Masters Men) took 1st in Slalom and 2nd in Jump.
• Kevin Hyatt (Men’s 6) took 2nd in Jump, 5th in Trick, and 2nd Overall.
• Tina Grossi (Women’s 5) took 1st in Slalom.
• Diana Parker (Women’s 6) took 1st in Jump, 4th in Trick, and 2nd Overall.
• Joe Perez (Men’s 6) took 3rd in Jump and 4th Overall.
• Brad Hartwell (Men’s 7) took 4th in Trick.
• Dee Johnson (Men’s 7) took 2nd in Trick, 3rd in Jump, and 2nd Overall.
• Jake Kerber (Boys 1) skied a Personal Best in Slalom.
• Scott Larson (Masters Men) had the highest buoy count of all slalom skiers at the Western Regionals.
• Kendra Nathan (Girls 5) had the most gold medals.

Kendra Nathan skis in the slalom event at the Western Regionals in Rio Lindo recently. She took gold medals in this event as well as Trick and Jump. With the three wins, she also was First Place Overall. Photo by Erin Waite

Kevin Hyatt, 2nd in Jump, 5th in Trick, and 2nd Overall. Photo provided by Kevin Hyatt

Julia Kerber, 5th in Slalom and Most Improved Junior Award. Photo by Janelle Kerber

Liam Brady, 2nd in Trick, 2nd in Jump, 5th in Slalom and 2nd Overall. Photo by Diana Parker

Tina Grossi, 1st Place Slalom at the Western Regionals in Rio Lindo. Photo provided by Debra Sacks