Welcome to the home of the founding organization of water skiing in Victoria.
The Victoria Water Ski Association is an organization for water skiing activities and the
Moomba Masters International Invitational Championships in Victoria, Australia.
Our family friendly community of skiers span all ages and abilities.
Our events are designed to make spending time with friends and family
on the water as accessible and enjoyable as possible.
Vale John (Jack) Skipper
Jack Skipper 21/10/39 – 16-07-2024
John Albert Skipper – always known as Jack, passed away peacefully aged 84 surrounded by family and holding Barb, his wife’s hand.
Jack Skipper was an energetic bloke who tried his hand at racing boats, cars, bikes – really everything with an engine. He was a trailblazer living life to the fullest and didn’t shy away from a challenge. Although a car racer at heart, he always loved his time on the water.
Jack was a leader in the Victorian Kite Flying Association, doing stunts and manoeuvres that others wouldn’t dare. Performing shows and competing throughout Australia.
Jack joined the Victorian Barefoot Division where he became State Champion multiple times and was the first man in Victoria to Barefoot Backwards.
At this time Jack was still racing his car known as the Aljon Special on the track. His family was starting to grow with 3 children; Jodie, Darryn and Kylie.
His need for speed was tamed a little with a young family and he decided it might be a little safer to get into Ski Racing! With Jack at the helm he lead a Team of misfits with a boat called Harada, a Concorde SS with a Chevy 454 engine. His Team consisted of his Observer, Bill Surridge and skiers; Leigh Knopp, Barry Carne (Dec) and later Wayne Webster.
Harada had huge success and presence in the racing scene. Winning the Southern 80 and the Bridge to Bridge in 1976. Jack and boys were involved in controversy with Harada being disqualified for the engine being too loud – how does that even happen??
Jack loved to tell the story that ‘one time we won 15 race events out of a possible 16 and came 2nd in the 16th event all in one day!’. They won numerous Ski Race State & National meetings over a decade. These times with the Victorian Water Ski Association were amongst the best times in his life, with many fond memories made.
In the late 70’s Jack became involved in tournament skiing with his daughter Jodie displaying the same enthusiasm as her dad. Jack became a long time member of the Deniliquin Speed Boat Club and invested his time into making it a premier tournament water ski site for Australia.
He later went on to develop a manmade lake northeast of Deniliquin. Galvaston Lakes became a training site for Jodie with many international skiers visiting the venue. Galvaston is still used as a training site today.
Jack will always be remembered for his cheeky smile, ability to fix anything with limited resources and willingness to help anybody.
A Funeral Service to honor the Life of
Mr John (Jack) Albert Skipper, will be held in the
Le Pine Chapel, 848 Main Rd Eltham, on
Friday 26th July 2024 at 2pm
Casual dress preferred – think Jack attire!
Jack’s service can also be viewed via the below link.
Private Cremation
SLACK JACK
In memory of Jack, our beloved Slack.
An automotive wizard, never looking back.
With a spanner in his hand and a spark in his eye.
He’d fix any car, no matter how it died.
Racing cars, bikes and boats, cutting through the breeze,
On the track or on the water, he was always at ease,
With a beer in one hand and a smoke in the other,
He lived life to the fullest, like no other.
Sports on TV, a passion so grand,
Cheering and laughing, beer can in his hand.
A jokester at heart, with a wit so sharp,
He’d light up a room, just like a spark.
Water skiing in the sun, racing to the shore,
Living every moment, always wanting more,
From engines to laughter, he gave it his all,
Jack, our dear Slack we’ll always recall.
So here’s to you Jack, a life well-spent,
With love, laughter and joy wherever you went,
We’ll raise a glass and share a laugh or two.
Remembering the legend, the one and only you.
Vale Ian Faulkner
10/7/2024
JUNIOR MOOMBA
World junior competition has moved ahead dramatically in recent years giving our junior skiers the exposure and experience they need to be competitive on an international senior level.
The Victorian Waterski Association formed the “Aussie Kiwi Challenge” with the intent to give travel and competition experience to juniors.
Junior Moomba commenced in 1977 under the guidance of the VWSA Committee and Tournament Chairman, Max Burkensleigh.
It was through the committee that “Junior Moomba” was made a reality.
Invitations were sent to interstate juniors who had achieved certain standards.
Many of these children were billeted in the homes of Victorian skiers and many lasting friendships were made. Congratulations are extended to the Victorian Waterski Association for commencing the “Aussie Kiwi Challenge” plus “Junior Moomba”, bringing it to its international recognition of today.
Vale
Maxwell (Max)Kevin Kirwan OAM
It is with great sadness that the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation Oceania Confederation acknowledges the passing of Max Kirwan.
For many years the International Water Ski Federation consisted of three confederations, Pan Am, EAME -Europe etc and AA -Asia/Australasia.
The creation of the Asia/Australasia confederation was spearheaded by Max Kirwan when he was the President of Australasia. Max decided to develop the many forms of water skiing throughout Asia. To do this he took coaches and skiers to various Asian countries to demonstrate all facets of water skiing. All trips were funded by the Australasia Confederation. Various countries enjoyed the experience and created water ski clubs and events. Max continued to liaise with them and provided equipment, funding and expertise. Before too long the Asia/Australasian Confederation affectionately known as the A/A Confederation was founded with Max Kirwan as the Chairman.
Max then focussed on exposing waterskiing to a greater audience and managed to be invited to take a Water Ski Show team to the Seoul Olympics. The Ski Show was very successful and well-received by spectators and Olympic officials.
Max’s enthusiasm was fuelled by this success and he proceeded to draft a plan with the IWWF Chairman, Kuno Ritschard to have waterskiing included as an Olympic sport. Hours of effort and negotiation lead to the decision to expand the water ski confederations to five by dividing AA into two confederations Asia and Oceania and EAME into Europe and Africa. Pan Am remained as Pan Am.
Now Waterskiing had five Confederations and a for a short time had a new logo with 5 rings.
The establishment of the Oceania Confederation under Max’s guidance was very successful and resulted in the Oceania Championships where all facets of water skiing congregate at the same venue to conduct their Oceania Championships but more importantly to showcase the best of waterskiing to a wider audience.
In November this year the Oceania Championships will be held at Max’s beloved Mulwala and in particular on the lakes that were built by the club he founded, the Mulwala Water Ski Club.
It would have been wonderful to have seen Max attend the Oceania Championships conducted on the appropriately named Max Kirwan Lakes.
Max is renowned for achieving what seemed to be impossible to achieve. One of Max’s biggest achievements was the creation of the Moomba Masters Water Ski Championships in 1960 on the Yarra River. This spectacular event is envy of water ski competition organisers throughout the world.
It is very fitting that the link to Max’s funeral service is goodonemax.com
TO VICTORIAN WATER SKI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AND WATER SKIING SUPPORTERS
The Victorian Water Si Association would like to begin by acknowledging the uncertainty and challenge the COVID -19 virus poses for everyone.
The V. W. S. A are disappointed events have had to be cancelled due to this pandemic, but the safety and well being of our members and the public is of utmost importance.
We are sure all divisions of water skiing will be working through the challenges faced by all those affected.
We encourage all to adopt appropriate social distancing and hygiene procedures
Stay Safe. Fran Hynes Secretary (Hon)VICTORIAN WATER SKI ASSOCIATION
MOOMBA MASTERS INTERNATIONAL INVITATIONAL 2022
ALL COMPETITORS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2022 EVENT MUST COMPLETE
THE ENTRY FORM & PROVIDE PAYMENT IN FULL FOR EACH EVENT
CLOSING DATE 31 DECEMBER 2021 (AEDST)
NEWS & UPDATES
VALE Ron Fergusson
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VALE Russell Morris
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