Watersports blog

A famous tourist spot in a coastal region in Queensland, Australia could possibly no longer offer water skiing activities if the state government approves a ban on the said sport.

According to reports, a proposal by the Maritime Safety to reduce the speed limit of speed boats to 20 knots from the usual 40 knots means that water skiing may no longer be staged along the Maroochy River, a popular destination for skiers.

Rachel Nolan, the transport minister, defended their proposal saying that there’s now an increasing activity on the Maroochy River due to increasing number of tourists. She said that this prompted them to have the regulations revised to adjust with the influx.

Nolan urges the public to participate actively on the proposed recommendations made by the department. She added that the proposed restrictions are within the Eudlo Creek.

Despite the seemingly reasonable proposal, the Maroochy River Water Ski Association members voiced out their protest on the plan, saying that the pastime enjoyed by skiers at Eudlo Creek for more than half a century is going to be scrapped.

The plan is up for deliberation in the next few weeks.

The Customs and Immigration Marine Unit and the police force in Cayman Islands will start apprehending jet ski users who are violating the law. This move was announced after the authorities reported increase number of complaints from residents stating that jet skis are being part close to the shore or disturbing the nearby residents due to noises.

Courtney Myles, the Maine Unit Chief Inspector, said that a number of jet skis are being modified by owners in order to emanate more notice and power. He stressed that these already powerful machines should be used within the law in order to ensure safety of the users, the living things under the water and the residents. He said jet skis should not be used on areas designated as swimming zones and should not have a speed of more than five knots when the craft is within two hundred yards from shore.

Safety tips are also being shared to the residents on how to use the jet skis. Here are the following:

• Wear a life vest at all times
• Don’t use the jet ski under the influence of alcohol
• Must learn how to use the jet ski
• Inform someone about where you are intending to go and the estimated time of return.

All tourists as well as the locals who want to cool down and have fun under the scorching summer sun may have in the near future, a new option as the proposal for the building of the Ta’Quali finally gets the green light.
The application the Malta Environment and Planning Authority received is generally related to the larger tract of property beside the Flower Power nursery and is planned to be a family-oriented sports complex. This sports complex is said to include basketball and tennis courts, rock-climbing and rugby grounds. However, the most awaited is its water skiing complex.
The idea about Ta’Quali is to develop an all-season ski complex placed in a climate-controlled environment. This project is said to be promoted as a proposal which largely encourages sports-oriented and leisure projects.
According to organizers of this project, the ski-complex would definitely be using a massive amount of energy and water to run. Nevertheless, the local company organizing the project said that the project will be backed up by their British investors. The company even explains that the development of the project is eco-friendly because it will be using recycled water and solar. For this reason, people will definitely have fun without worrying about the environment.

‘I Am…’ is a TV program that showcases the achievements of both teens and adults. It airs in Connecticut as well as other US states. A few nights ago ‘I Am…’ featured champion water skier Alex Laurentano. The show was entitled: ‘I Am a Champion Water Skier’.

Twenty year old Laurentano has been water skiing since she was a toddler and loves her swimwear. Her most recent achievement involves helping the USA Water Ski team to win the Pan American Championships. The event was held in Medellin, Columbia. It lasted for a week starting July 28 and was concluded on the 3rd of August. The Pan American Championships featured water skiing teams from Central and South America.

The beaming Laurentano had this to say about her Pan American win:
“I won five gold medals — for slalom, trick, jump, overall and team overall. I think my favorite event is probably jumping. It’s such an adrenaline rush when you jump — it’s like you’re flying.”

Laurentano grew up in Connecticut, but constantly traveled to Florida to train in Water Skiing. When she was 16, she left home and stayed in Florida to study and train. She says that water skiing has given her the chance to travel to all sorts of places around the world.  At present she is set to join more events including the Under 21 World Water Skiing Championships.