Canyon Lake Water Ski Club cleans up at Nationals

Canyon Lake Water Ski Club members brought home nine medals from the 80th Goode Water Ski National Championships held in Maize, Kansas last month. In the medal haul, Canyon Lake’s contingent won two gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals.

Individuals winning medals were Kendra Nathan (Girls 5) with 1st in Trick and 3rd in Jump; Tina Grossi (Women’s 5) with 1st in Slalom; Diana Parker (Women’s 6) with 2nd in Jump, 5th in Trick, and 2nd Overall and Dee Johnson (Men’s 7) with 3rd in Jump, 4th in Trick, and 3rd Overall.

KENDRA NATHAN. Photo provided by Scott Larson

The gold medal was Tina’s third gold in Slalom at the Nationals. Liam Brady (Boys 3) and Brad Hartwell (Men’s 7) also represented the club in Nationals competition. Club members Tom Nathan and Joe Perez served as tournament officials at the championships

TINA GROSSI. Photo provided by Tina Grossi

DIANA PARKER. Photo provided by Diana Parker

Each competitor had to qualify at a National Ranking level to participate, and the nation’s top water ski athletes competed for national titles in slalom, tricks, jumping and overall, in respective age divisions and two open divisions during the seven-day event. Diana and Dee have been invited to the Water Ski Worlds, which will be held in Bordeaux, France later this year.

DEE JOHNSON. Photo provided by Dee Johnson

“This will be my sixth Worlds,” Diana said. “I’ve also competed in Chile, Mexico, Spain, and Peru. The event always feels like the Olympics, where there is an opening ceremony and each skier represents their country, holding their flag and wearing their team outfits. The Americans will dress in red, white, and blue dresses and suits. It is such a unique experience meeting people from around the world, enjoying different foods from the various regions, and being together as competitive water skiers.”