THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 2, 1995 TAG: 9506290254
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 54 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CAMDEN LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Every year the River City Challenge Water Ski Tournament gets more and more popular and every year it gets more and more competitive.
The two-day event, held at Shipyard Landing in Camden off N.C. Highway 343, will start at 8 a.m. on July 8 and 9.
Admission to the tournament, which is sponsored by the River City Ski Club, is free.
Randy Keaton, a member of the club, said the tournament was booked solid before Memorial Day.
Over 50 skiers will compete in the slalom, tricking and jumping events.
Slalom is slated to begin at 8 a.m. Tricking will follow around noon and jumping will get under way around 3 p.m.
One reason for the increased success of the tournament, now in its eighth year, is because it is one of only two three-event meets left in North Carolina.
``A meet in Fredericksburg which is usually held the same weekend as our tournament was canceled this year,'' said Jeff Mitchell, tournament director. ``Also the people from Maryland and Delaware who were coming down keep bringing more. Being only one of two three-event tournaments in North Carolina this year has increased demand to get in our tournament.''
Walt Gross, a skier in his mid-80s with just one arm, is expected to appear once again as well as Earl Smith, age 66 of High Point, a top skier in his age class.
Keaton said the competition will probably be up again this year.
``There are a lot of new skiers. We've never seen them ski so it's hard to tell,'' he said.
``But looking at their entry forms it looks like they have some experience. I think we'll have some good skiers.''
Mitchell said that with the other options in water sports these days that those who attend the three-event meets are usually top of the line.
``These are the disciplined competitors in the sport,'' he said.
Mitchell said that skiers who have an interest in the sport can contact the River City Ski Club at 338-1637. by CNB