
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 24, 1991                   TAG: 9102250389
SECTION: BOAT SHOW                    PAGE: 12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SKIING SPOTLIGHTING BY STATE GAMES

The Virginia State Games brought serious competitive water skiing to Smith Mountain Lake last summer, and the Smith Mountain Lake Ski Club benefited from the exposure.

"It was the first real tournament we have had on this side of the state in many, many years," said Tom Tanner, one of the club's directors. "We had some real favorable comments on how nice the tournament ran."

While the club enjoyed the praise and will be a host of the games again this year [renamed Commonwealth Games of Virginia], it doesn't want to be known as strictly a competition outfit. Family skiing is its heart, said Tanner.

"If anything, we are trying to go the opposite direction [from competition]," he said. "More and more, we are trying to stress family type skiing at a young age."

With this in mind, the club has lowered its dues and will feature more social activities, such as picnics, learn-to-ski days and outings for youth. The idea is to boost the membership from the about 50 of the past two years to 100 or more.

Club members will operate a booth in the exhibit hall during the boat show to tell members about the organization and the benefits of being a member. The club maintains a slalom course and ski jump at Smith Mountain for its members.

As for competition, it is encouraged as a natural progression for people who are exposed to the sport and want to excel, said Tanner. Several members are active competitors, including Chris Mason, 18, who won a number of tournaments last year.

Added to the slalom and trick events of the commonwealth games will be jump competition, something expected to be a crowd thriller. All three events will be scheduled both June 29 and 30 at Sailor's Cove at Bernard's Landing.

Competitors last year were pleasantly surprised with the number of spectators who turned out for the state games, Tanner said. Most skiing events in Virginia are held on modest-size private lakes or ponds, and they attract few people other than the competitors, he said.

The advantage of a 20-to-30-acre lake, however, is smooth water, something often lacking at Smith Mountain.

by CNB