Every summer my family would uproot from the city life and drive four hours east to Osoyoos Lake, where my parents have a cabin. Those four hours I would spend dreaming of how my first ski ride in 9 months would feel. As we drove down the hill into Ossoyos, the mood in the car shifts we are all relaxed, excited, and ready to live the lake life.
With three slalom courses to choose from and miles of open water, it was any skiers dream. Growing up in Canada, you had to learn to embrace the cold and enjoy the short summer we were given. The serious skiers, my Dad, Uncle Don and myself would wake up bright and early to get that glassy water. That smooth slalom water was all mine at 6:00 am.
If someone had given me a crystal ball that said someday you will live in Florida on a man-made lake, I would have thought they were crazy. A man-made lake? What the heck is that? Now, any body of water I see I think, is it long enough to ski? I will never look at a retention pond the same ever again. lol
People always ask, how did you get into competitive skiing? Well, it was by luck! Steve Bush, Canada's National Team Coach, was vacationing on the same lake where my cabin was. He stopped my parents and had a long chat telling us all about competitive skiing. I was twelve years old at the time, doing my own thing. The thought of competitive skiing was extremely appealing to me, so my parents signed me up for the next local event.
I skied my first tournament at thirteen and made my first international competition at sixteen, where I competed at the Junior Worlds in Greece. That did not go so well. I fell around ball 1, but hey I got that out of the way right from the start! : )
I am so grateful for this wonderful sport! The friendships I have made and the places I travel are incredible. The quality time I spent with my family growing up on the lake are memories I will cherish forever. And the best part about waterskiing is, I met the love of my life, my husband, Ryan.