Tasmanian water ski club chasing world record

3:32 AM Thu 29 Jan 2009 GMT

One hundred and twenty-two skiers will line up behind a 34.95-metre ferry on Saturday (January 31) in an attempt to claim the world record for the greatest number of skiers.

The Horsehead Water Ski Club (named for its original location Horsehead Creek, near Devonport) is the organiser of the record attempt, but the skiers taking part are from nearly all states.

'Our club did not have enough members to make up the required number, so we've called in skiers from all over Tasmania and interstate,' club member Nic Wilson explained.

Wilson said the 122 was 'roughly 50-50 male to female.'

'The youngest is 10-years-old, the oldest 64,' he added.

Cairns and District Powerboat and Water Ski Club currently holds the record, towing 100 skiers in October 1986.

Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to claim it.

The Tasmanian attempt will be made on Macquarie Harbour, near the picturesque west coast town of Strahan, gateway to many of the state's heritage-listed areas.

It will be one of the famous ferries that cruise the heritage-listed waterways that will tow the skiers.

'Eagle', an Incat Crowther design built by the Hobart firm Richardson Devine Marine, will act as the 'ski boat.'

The ferry was launched in November, 2007 and is powered by dual MTU engines each delivering 1550hp at 2000rpm through shaft drives.

She transmits the power to the water via five-bladed, nickel bronze alloy propellers.

The Horsehead Water Ski Club, formed in 1958, celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

'Taking the record would be a great way to finalise those celebrations,' Nic Wilson added.

The skiers will undertake the attempt on specially designed skis, 2.4-metres in length, 200mm wide.

Most difficult exponent to bring the attempt to reality has been the design of the towing boom.

Wilson said they were faced with 'incredible engineering challenges' in forming a boom capable of hauling 122 skiers.

'We now believe we have the engineering to safely pull our skiers to a new record,' he declared.

'Of course, we want to hold it for a while, so we're not giving away too many secrets just yet.'

The skiers will gather at 0600hrs in preparation for a 0700hrs start.

To establish a new record, the 122 skiers must stay up behind 'Eagle' for one nautical mile.

As of Thursday, Wilson said the weather forecast appeared in favour of the attempt.

'We won't mind rain, but we want zero wind,' he said.

'Strahan is somewhat notorious for unsettled weather, but at the moment it appears in our favour.'

Powerboat-World will be following the attempt and will bring readers news of the (hopefully) new record as it happens.

by Bob Wonders

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Tasmanian water ski club chasing world record

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