JBWaterski Launching of the Boats
Hanover International Hotel and Club (FKA Kirton's)
Pingewood, Reading

Saturday 6th May 2000

Party time is over, the boats have been launched, the beer has been drunk.......
and the serious skiing is now going to start at JBWaterski Reading. 
For full details of opening times call 0870 606 1270.

It was a normal Saturday afternoon in Reading, apart from the 7 muppets on the lake trying to sort out a five man pyramid.  Even expert driving from Andy Wetherell (resident driver and coach at JBWaterski, Reading) couldn't help the guys as they tried to get up on each other's shoulders with drop-skis flying all over the place.   The lake was just too short. 

While this was going on people were starting to arrive in the bar at the Hanover International Hotel and Club.  By 8.30pm the patio outside the bar was packed with people wanting to see what we had in store.

As darkness fell, the 2 Mastercrafts came round the corner, roaring down the lake in front of the bar.  Driven by John Battleday and Andy Wetherell the boats span, crossed over, went round in circle - a great display of the boats and the expert driving offered at JBWaterski.

Then from nowhere a 70's fan appeared.  Paddling out into the lake ignoring all calls over the PA for him to get out of the water.  Somehow the guy convinced John to give him a chance to try his hand at waterskiing.  From the boom, to the rope, to mono - what a performance.  After some initial problem the guy managed to get up and hold on as John did his best to throw him off by doing figure-of-8 and running the Mastercraft in circle.

The the real fun started.  Clive Wilsdon (British Barefoot Team Coach, and Captain) showed the amazed crowd how to ski with no skis.  Clive stole the show with tumbles, running backwards, and generally doing what he's good at. 

Thanks Clive!!!!!

Following Clive, Steven Glanfield, one of the many young British hopefuls, showed off his tricking capabilities - and he has got some!

Ollie Beckwith jumped around, pulled a few spins and threw a couple of tantrums.  We wasn't upset, he was riding on a tray with fins at both ends - I think they call them wakeboards?!?!?

Dave Lenz (aka Pouch) did a bit of footing on the boom, Kevin Tyler (aka Couch) showed off his slalom skills, then came the pyramid. 

Unfortunately it was only a 3-man, but very impressive.  Steve Glanfield and Clive Eagles (aka Party or FM) skied down the lake with Pouch on their shoulders.

Great display and thanks to all who helped!

Following the wet fun, a few of us took up Ollie's invitation to try on some of the new clothes from the JBWaterski pro-shop.  He didn't tell us that we tried them on we'd have to model them in the bar in a mini fashion show.....A great night was had by all!

Thanks to
John Battleday
Hanover International
The skiers, drivers and boat crew (Nigel Webster and Drew Lewis)
Clive Wilsdon
Everyone else who helped before during and after - a lot of clearing up was required.