Posts Tagged ‘National Championships’
Tuesday, September 25th, 2012
NEW NATIONAL 55+ JUMP RECORD FOR OUR OWN GEOFF CLARKE

Having now entered the 55+ Waterski Jump category, Geoff Clarke (Golden Falls WSC) is not new to setting National Jump Records.
In spite of the poor weather here at home this year, he made the most of his limited time on the water – and also trained hard at Hazelwood’s in the UK.
The National Record to break was set by Robin Skelton (Stillwaters WSC) at 30.8m. Geoff has now raised this by a whopping 12.5m to the newly approved score of 43.3m / 143ft.
As with Jake Bridges, our National Open Jump Record holder, Geoff has also made a spectacular recovery from a nasty injury which still limits the grip of one of his hands. This new National Jump Record is a great credit to his determination not to let that prevent him from enjoying our sport at the highest level. Congratulations Geoff.
Both Geoff Clarke and Jake Bridges owe much of their success to their Coach and our dear friend Ray Stokes who we lost to Cancer earlier this year.
Tags: 55+, Ballymore Eustace, Clubhouse, EA JumWaterski Championships, Geoff Clarke, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, National Championships, National Waterski Champions, SLALOM AND JUMP GRAND PRIX, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Jump, Waterski Lessons, Women Waterskiers
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Friday, September 9th, 2011
WINDY WEATHER BUT WE WILL NOT LET THAT STOP THE GRAND PRIX FUN

THANKS TO BILLABONG FOR THEIR GREAT SUPPORT
We put the finishing touches to the Club site this evening and all looks really good right now. A big thanks to Daryl, Donal, Carl and all the team for getting the place shipshape for our very special RAY STOKES GRAND PRIX.
It has been a very tough week for Ray. Brain surgery, general anaesthetics, blood transfusions, all take their toll but hopefully Ray will now feel better having got over this stage successfully. He hates cold weather and would really prefer to be up on the Gold Coast rather than in Melbourne. I don’t think he would fancy doing Rescue Boat duty when we kick off here at 09.30hrs here tomorrow !
We also launched a RAY RAFFLE just 48 hours ago and have been overwhelmed by the response from our Waterski friends. Just amazing ! The list of donated prizes is extraordinary – see below. Billabong have also donated Winners Prizes as we will give the standard Cash Prize to Ray also to help with his medical costs. As of tonight, we have sold exactly 40 RAY RAFFLE tickets at Euro 20.00 each and all this will also go to Ray.
So, our SLALOM and JUMP athletes will be ready on the dock tomorrow at 09.30hrs sharp – and we hope that the tail end of the USA Hurricanes don’t spoil our party !
Thank you all for your fantastic support. It is really appreciated by our Golden Falls Team.
HERE ARE THE PRIZES DONATED TO OUR RAY RAFFLE TOMORROW :
SkiCaraibes One Week – Island of St Martin – Coaching by Guy Laurent and Brigitte Lethem
Apple iPad – donated by Donal Connolly
Special Party Night at Your Venue – DJ+Full Sound System – donated by Martin Cullinan of TODAY FM
Vintage Champagne – donated by Simon Durham
Vintage Champagne – donated by Fiachra O’Riordan
Complete Utility Pocket Tools Bundle – donated by Dermot Fenton
Custom Monogrammed Car Mats – Your Name for Your Car – donated by Des Burke-Kennedy
Terryglass Cottage Weekend on the Shannon – donated by Jakki Kavanagh
CyclePlus Full Monty Bicycle Service – donated by Steven Cautley
MasterCraft Goodies – donated by Jonny Crawford
Full Winter Fitness Programme – 12 Sessions with the Professionals – donated by Carl Cautley
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, BILABONG, Brigitte lethem, Carl cautley., Daryl Higgins, DES BURKE-KENNEDY, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, Irish National Waterski Championships, Jump Helmet, Jump suit, Ladies on the water, Learn to Waterski, Magic Ramp, National Champions, National Championships, Ray Stokes, SLALOM AND JUMP GRAND PRIX, Slalom Buoys, Slalom Course, SplashEye, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Jump, Waterski Lessons, Waterski Medals, Waterski Nationals, Women Waterskiers
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Thursday, September 1st, 2011
YOU ARE INVITED TO THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 10/11

The annual Slalom & Jump Grand Prix has now been transformed into the RAY STOKES GRAND PRIX. All at Golden Falls are doing everything possible to make this a special experience in honour of our dear friend Ray Stokes who has been our regular visiting Australian Coach since 1990 – twenty one years ago ! On January 19th this year, Ray was diagnosed with Cancer and given 90 days to live. Eight months later, he still carries on the battle and today is having brain surgery to help ease the burden. To date, 19,875 people have visited his CaringBridge Website to leave get-well messages ! That is a measure of the level of enormous regard for Ray.
So, this year our RAY STOKES GRAND PRIX will have a twist. We are asking all the participants to support our plan to turn all the CASH PRIZE money on offer into a donation to Ray’s Fund. Golden Falls have agreed to add a further donation to ensure that the amount raised will be of help to Ray. All the details are on the Official Notice – see Link below. So, do come along and ski for Ray. Your efforts will make a real difference to the fun on the day.
We are also running a special RAY RAFFLE only for those who are present on Sunday, September 11th. The chances of winning something special must be high. Donated Prizes of any kind will be greatly accepted if you can help. Already Donal Connolly has presented a gleaming all new iPad ! Wow !
And now for the business details – and if you want to bring along Angelina Jolie and Freddy Krueger, we will have spare seats available !
As usual, this is a THREE ROUND Slalom and Jump PERSONAL BEST competition. It will kick off at 09.30 hrs on Saturday, September 10th. Entry Forms must be returned by Thursday night, September 8th – so that the RUNNING ORDER can be released on Friday. This really does help all concerned to enjoy the entire weekend. Click here for the details :
GFWSC RAY STOKES GP NOTICE 2011a
GFWSC RAY STOKES Entry Form 2011
PLEASE SEND YOUR ENTRY FORMS TODAY TO
des@burke-kennedy.com
Tags: Angelina Jolie, Apple iPad, Ballymore Eustace, Cash prizes, Clubhouse, Daryl Higgins, DES BURKE-KENNEDY, Freddy Krueger, Geoff Clarke, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, Hospital, iPad, Irish National Waterski Championships, Irish Sports Council, Ladies on the water, National Championships, National Waterski Champions, National Waterski Championships, Ray Stokes, Ray Stokes Grand Prix, SLALOM AND JUMP GRAND PRIX, Slalom Buoys, SplashEye, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Lessons, Women Waterskiers
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Friday, August 26th, 2011
MAJOR COW CATCHER REPAIRS COMPLETED WITH BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS !

MAGIC RAMP LOOKED A BIT SAD !
Our Golden Falls pride and joy, the Magic Ramp, was looking a bit sad this Summer. A few of the immaculate blue aluminium Cow Catcher panels had worked lose and attempts to rivet them back into place were quickly undone once the windy weather did their work. With the RAY STOKES GRAND PRIX just two weeks away, an emergency was declared !
Yesterday, Daniel Hearne came to our rescue. As a solid Skier and also a skilled Fabrication Welder, he joined forces with Dary Higgins and Geoff Clarke. Armed with cutting and welding equipment and a supply of steel, they spent the entire day in, under and out of the water – mostly uner the Magic Ramp. For those who have not had the experience, this is dangerous work and not for the feint hearted. The good news is that by the time sunset arrived, the job was virtually completed with just a little tidying up up needed today and Daryl has already got this in hand.
Thank you so much guys ! Your work has got our Ray Stokes Grand Prix preparations off to a perfect start. Now it is time to round up our troops for the other tasks and we will be sending out help please over this weekend. As some Members will be away next week, we need to now make the most of every day.
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Clubhouse, Daniel Hearne, Daryl Higgins, DES BURKE-KENNEDY, Geoff Clarke, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, Irish National Waterski Championships, Ladies on the water, Magic Ramp, National Championships, National Waterski Champions, National Waterski Championships, Ray Stokes, Ray Stokes Grand Prix, SLALOM AND JUMP GRAND PRIX, Slalom Buoys, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Jump, Waterski Lessons, Waterski Nationals, Women Waterskiers, World Jump Record
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Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
CLUB HOSTS TWO KIDZ CAMPS PLUS STEVE CRITCHLEY COURSE IN JULY & AUGUST

Steve Critchley returns to Golden Falls
We all know that our Summers are just far too short. This means we have to make the most of every day on the water. The folks at Golden Falls in County Kildare are certainly not wasting any time on their 20C water right now ! With one Kidz Camp already completed plus the highly successful National Children’s Day last Sunday, three more special Courses have been organised for the coming weeks. That lake at Golden Falls will be a busy place !
For the week of August 8th, ranked in the top 20 in the World, Jumper Steve Critchley will return once again for some high level coaching. Ten more advanced lucky souls will spend each day on the water with Steve and all will be guaranteed a special learning experience. At this early stage, we hear that the Course is almost booked out already as Steve’s reputation is a major attraction. His 2010 Course at the Club was one of the best for some time and all are really looking forward to his return.

Top 20 in the World Rankings
The Club also has TWO more Kidz Camps marked in for the weeks of July 25th and August 2nd. The first is a five day Course and the second a four day Course. Again, we hear that these are also almost booked out. The Club’s Coach Daryl Higgins, has had great success this Summer with the young stars in the making and we all hope that this will deliver some serious competitors a little down the road. However, having fun on the water is the real aim in the coming weeks and judging by the popularity of the June Kidz Camp, this looks like a certainty.
Well done to all the team at Golden Falls – photos and reports to follow soon.
If your Club has special activities planned for the coming weeks, just send us the details and photos, and we will help to spread the good word !
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Clubhouse, Coaching, Daryl Higgins, DES BURKE-KENNEDY, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, Irish National Waterski Championships, Kids Camps, Kidz Camps, Learn to Waterski, National Championships, National Waterski Champions, Slalom, SLALOM AND JUMP GRAND PRIX, Slalom Buoys, Slalom Course, Steve Critchley, Summer Camps, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Dublin, Waterski Jump, Waterski Lessons, Waterski Summer Camps, Women Waterskiers
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Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
GREAT WEATHER – GREAT SKIING – GREAT APRIL ON THE WATER

WATCH OUT FOR THIS CAR !
Watch our for this Golden Falls car in your district ! Actually, it’s our Club Coach Daryl Higgins car and as you can see, he is helping to spread the word with the all new signage scheme on the Volvo.

GREAT LOGO !
The good news is that April has broken all records at our Club for the month. Our own Members clocked up 110 ski sessions on the water. Visitors added 94 sessions. This total of 204 ski sessions is unheard of for April which is often a cold and windy month of the year. If you have not yet had a chance to get out on the water, call Daryl today and he will be delighted to help. His number – as you can see on the “Golden Falls” car is : 087 668 6225
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, Irish National Waterski Championships, Ladies on the water, Learn to Waterski, National Championships, National Waterski Champions, National Waterski Championships, Slalom Buoys, Slalom Course, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Dublin, Waterski Jump, Waterski Lessons 2011, Women Waterskiers
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Sunday, April 10th, 2011
EARLY APRIL FEELS LIKE MID SUMMER AT GOLDEN FALLS TODAY

Sam warming up the Slalom Course today
It has been just a perfect week since Daryl moved back in to kick off our 2011 season on the water. Today was just like Summer with 19.5C at the Clubhouse and even the water felt a bit warmer. Daryl has painted up the Clubhouse, Simon has worked wonders in the carpentry department and Figs and Geoff have already got about 8 sessions on the board already.

Busy Boardwalk today
We have also called in a little help from nature this year. Check out the sheep in our back lawn MasterCraft Arena area. They have been given the job of getting rid of the long grass before we attack it with the Mower. We also have a flock of Geese at the Car Park Pond. Don’t mess with these guys ! They are great watch dogs and set off alarm bells if visitors arrive at any time.

Our new guard dogs !

New grass mowers in action in MasterCraft Arena
Today, Sunday was as busy as ever. On site were JoJo and Yuri, Simon and Toby, Sam and Chantal and Leo and Leila, Figs and Geoff, Carl and Luke, Des and Richard and they were still arriving as the evening sun set behind the Clubhouse. In other words, it was a perfect Golden Falls Day. If you have not had a chance to come on down yet, you are missing some great fun. All are welcome and Daryl will make sure you go home with a smile !

Yuri gets some help from Mom JoJo
Here are a few shots of Sunday at the Club.

Richard snaps around Buoy 2

Sam nails Buoy 6

JoJo's first of 2011

Sam, Chantal, Leila and Leo in the Malibu

Daryl is waiting for you at the Club - come on down !
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, National Championships, National Waterski Champions, Slalom Buoys, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Dublin, Waterski Jump, Women Waterskiers
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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010
OUR CLUB FEATURES IN TODAY’S IRISH TIMES HEALTH SUPPLEMENT

Emmet Malone and Family in action t
Emmet Malone runs an interesting section in each Tuesday’s Irish Times HEALTH+ Supplement – and today it was the turn of Golden Falls to capture the headlines. Thanks to great work by Lia Saurin and Daryl Higgins, the full page feature covered the experience of Emmet and his two children, Kate and Daire as they tried their first lesson at the Club.
In great skiing conditions, Emmet, Kate (11) and Daire (6) all conquered the Teaching Boom – and as can be seen from the great photos, they also had a lot of fun.

Golden Falls Irish Times feature today
This year our plan was to focus on getting more women and children out on the water – and it has been a great success. Hopefully we will see all the Malone family back again with us soon. Well done Daryl and Lia – and well done to the Irish Times and Emmet Malone.
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Daryl Higgins, Emmet Malone, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, Irish Times Health Supplemen, Irish Times Health+, Irish Times Waterski, Irish Times Waterski Headlines, National Championships, National Waterski Champions, Teaching Boom, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Dublin, Waterski Lessons, Waterski Teaching Boom, Women Waterskiers
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Friday, September 3rd, 2010
LAST MAJOR WATERSKI CALENDAR EVENT OF 2010 AT GOLDEN FALLS
SLALOM & JUMP GRAND PRIX
GOLDEN FALLS WATERSKI CLUB
Ballymore Eustace
County Kildare

Grand Prix Trophies & Cash Prizes
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
September 18/19
All Skiers and Spectators are invited. Come and join us for the last fun event of the year.
The annual Waterski Slalom and Jump Grand Prix competition will have an international content this year. Having received several requests from overseas competitors, we have offered invitations to add to the competition !

Ready for Slalom & Jump action !
This is a PERSONAL BEST event – and this means that ANYBODY can win. You will compete against yourself. Even if you don’t have a PERSONAL BEST score on record for 2009 + 2010, come along and set your base line for next season.
All of the details are on the attached HERE
ENTRY FORM
Grand Prix Notice 2010
If you have not already got an IWWF Competition License, they are available on line at :
IWWF LICENSES
One last detail :
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU SEND YOUR ENTRY FORM AS AN ATTACHMENT
BY MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY SEPT 16th TO:
des@burke-kennedy.com
Entry Fees are payable on the day so don’t worry about that at this stage – just get that ENTRY in on time.
The RUNNING ORDER will be posted on Friday, September 17th for all to see. ( No Late Entries )
‘ Looking forward to seeing you at Golden Falls in two weeks time.
Full reports and photos will be posted here later.

Just Two Weeks To Go !
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Cash Prize Event, Clubhouse, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, National Champions, National Championships, National Waterski Champions, Slalom & Jump Grand Prix, Slalom Buoys, Slalom Course, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Dublin, Waterski Jump, Women Waterskiers
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Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
OUR MEMBERS USING EVERY MOMENT AVAILABLE ON THE WATER

KEELA AND MUM MIRIAM MAKE GREAT PROGRESS
‘Great to see that our Members continue to enjoy their time on the water with us and today was as busy as ever. On the Dock were Geoff, Miriam, Greg, Keela, Richie, Des, Dave – and Susi and her group of friends watched the sun set over another BBQ at the Clubhouse after their time on the water.
Daryl continues to do a great job and keeps everything shipshape – and don’t forget to call him if you want to confirm your times – 087 668 6225
Our Swans have returned again – two pairs – back to their usual spot over on the Quinlan’s side of the Lake. They seem to always know the boat path. Our Crested Cranes seem to have moved on but they usually come back at the end of the Summer to their place at the stone bridge. Thankfully, the Mink seem to have found a home somewhere else and that means that the Malibu does not smell like a Fish Market in the morning !

Daryl brews a proper cup of coffee !
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Boat Driver, Buoys, Clubhouse, Coaching, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Lake, Golden Falls Waterski Club, Irish National Waterski Championships, Jump Helmet, Jump suit, Ladies on the water, Learn to Waterski, National Champions, National Championships, National Waterski Champions, Slalom boot, Slalom Buoys, Slalom Course, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Dublin, Waterski Helmet, Waterski Lessons, Waterski Nationals, Waterski news, Waterski training, Waterski updates, Women Waterskiers
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