Wake & ski tournament

Smith Mountain Lake residents,vacationers and guests — whether they're looking to compete or just watch an action-packed event — can mark their calendars for July 17-18 for a weekend of amateur water sports competition.

Sanctioned by the Interstate Amateur Water Ski, Wakeboard, Wakeskate and Knee Board Tour (INT), with local organizing by Wake N Skate Board Shop and the SML Water Ski Club, the event will feature wakeboarding on Saturday and water-skiing on Sunday.   

INT was founded in 1993 in Washington with the goal of promoting amateur water sports events in a family friendly, non-intimidating environment.

"We conjured up a format with a stair-stepped approach where competing is fun and drives participants to improve," said Nanette Stocks, the tour's co-founder.

INT events have caught on rapidly with amateur skiers and boarders and will take place in 27 states this summer.SML is the only Virginia venue, but several events are scheduled in North Carolina. For 2010, INT has joined with the Worldwide Wakeboard Association to jointly promote amateur ski and wakeboard events.    

The site of the action at SML this summer will be the upper portion of Bull Run Creek, where last year's Battle of Bull Run wakeboard tournament took place. It's also where the SML Water Ski Club maintains its publicly accessible slalom course.

"Saturday's competition will includes even divisions of wakeboarding from Entro [beginner] to Outlaw [expert amateur] and Pro," said Wake N Skate owner Micah Gaudio, who helped organize last year's event. "The most advanced boarders will compete late in the afternoon."

Gaudio is working with Franklin County Tourism/Special Events Manager Debra Weir to arrange land access for spectators, which was not available in 2009.

"We are eagerly pursuing a site where spectators can get to a suitable viewing area by land vehicle," Weir said. "We see the value of bringing this kind of event to SML and are eager to highlight all aspects of the lake's recreation opportunities.

"Admission will be free," Weir added, "and we expect to have light concessions available. But there won't be bleachers, so spectators should bring whatever they need to sit comfortably."

Like last year's Battle of Bull Run, boat-based spectators can anchor along the shorelines of upper Bull Run Creek, careful to stay clear of the towboat circuits.

Water ski competition returns to SML

SML Water Ski Club founder Tom Tanner estimated it has been 17 years since an organized water-ski competition has taken place at SML.

"I expect anywhere from a dozen to 20 club members to participate in this event, and, hopefully, we will draw some non-members as competitors, too," Tanner said.

Rusty Richardson, a club member who is helping organize the event, said, as with the wakeboard tournament, there will be divisions for all levels of slalom ability in the water-ski competition.

"That includes wide-ride divisions where the ski is wider than normal and top speeds are only 30 mph instead of the 34 or 36 mph used in more advanced competition," Richardson said.

The club plans to offer clinics at the Bull Run course June 26 and 27.

"We'll show potential tournament participants what to expect and how to prepare," said Richardson, noting that non-club members are welcome to attend the clinics, and donations for gas will be accepted. Details will be posted on the club's Web site at smlwaterski.org.

Those interested in competing can pre-register and find detailed tournament rules and fee information at intleague.com. Entry requires INT membership. Guest membership for one event is $30; full memberships are $60; slalom-only memberships are $50. Family packages are available. In addition, a local registration fee will be charged to help cover expenses for the tournament organizers.

All participants must bring their own USCG-approved life vests; boarders are required to wear helmets (supplied for those who don't have them) and can use their own tow lines.