Posts Tagged ‘Ray Stokes’
Friday, July 31st, 2015
JUMP RETURNS TO GOLDEN FALL AS THE MAGIC RAMPS HOTS UP !

World and National Records have been demolished on our Magic Ramp over the years – but in recent times, Slalom almost took over. Now times are changing again ! First it was Abby Durham getting away from horses and Show Jumping and then landing her first Waterski Jumps this week. Now Ben Dickson at just 15 years of age and with only a few months experience on the water, is landing three out of three ! Just last night, somebody even saw past National Overall Champion Carl Cautley strapping on some long boards – and he was still able to walk back to his car all by himself.
This is all great news. ‘Big thanks also to Jake Bridges who was the inspiration behind our younger Jumpers taking on the challenge. His years with our dear friend Ray Stokes have made him a first class instructor and as we all know, good coaching makes all the difference. Jake should know as he holds Ireland’s National Records in Jump and Slalom.
What a great week on the water – and there is more to come.
Tags: Ben Dickson, Coaching, Golden Falls, Jake Beard Bridges, Jake Bridges, Ray Stokes, Waterski Jumping
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Sunday, October 14th, 2012
MEMORY TEST FOR THOSE WHO CAN RECALL GOLDEN FALLS FUN TIMES

Back : John Corkery, Des Burke-Kennedy, Dom Jameson, Front: Robin Skelton, Michele Cautley, Carl Cautley
There was a time when one of the most anticipated annual Waterski events on Ireland’s annual calendar was what was known as the National InterClub Championships. Usually held towards the end of the season, this was when each Club selected their six best Skiers and trying to get the perfect mix of Slalom Tricks and Jump athletes, all met to battle it out over a weekend.
The National InterClub Shield was the coveted trophy – and it is still out there somewhere. Have you got it ? It would be great to recover all the details on the name plates so let us know if it is somewhere in your attic.
Very often, the final battle for the Trophy was between Meteor WSC in Belfast and Golden Falls WSC in Ballymore, Co. Kildare. On this occasion above, Golden Falls took home the InterClub Shield. Here you will see a bunch of youngsters who have actually all survived the years and are still on the water today in varying degrees !
At the back we see “smoking” John Corkery who married another Golden Falls member by the name of Patricia from nearby Bray. They now live in the New Jersey and John and some friends set up the very successful Twin Lakes WSC. Next is Des Burke-Kennedy who in between injuries still gets out on the water at Golden Falls, and now lives in Dalkey, County Dublin after some years overseas in the UK and USA. He is the Club’s current Chairman, President of the Irish Waterski & Wakeboard Federation and is also involved with the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation. Next is Dom Jameson who now lives in Killiney although he did spend some years in Australia. That 13m Slalom line still works for him and don’t rule our further PB’s. Dom now has his own Landscaping business but like John Corkery, he also married a Golden Falls Club member by the name of Michele Cautley – see below.
In the front is Robin Skelton who lives in nearby Naas. As with John Corkery, he also set up his own Waterski Club – Stillwaters WSC – and is also still active as a member of our National 35+ Waterski Team. In the middle is the lovely Michele Cautley who is now Mrs Jameson. On marrying fellow InterClub Team Member, Dom Jameson, many other Waterski admirers were very disappointed to have been beaten to that proposal and have only recently forgiven Dom ! Michele is also still an active Waterskier and over the years, held many National titles. Lastly, that angry looking fair haired Skier with an attitude has greatly matured over the years ! Michele’ brother Carl Cautley has actually been an inspiration to many both on and off the water. He too held many National Waterski Records over the years and introduced our dear friend ray Stokes to the Club over 20 years ago. He was an active member of the Irish Waterski & Wakeboard Federation and is an excellent Coach. Carl also married another Golden Falls Member, Patricia Rooney and now runs his own very successful Fitness and Life Coaching business in Dublin.
So, this was a very special Golden Falls InterClub Team – with three of them marrying other Club Members to prove that what happens at Golden Falls stays at Golden Falls ! Great memories of very happy times.
OUR QUESTION IS : WHAT YEAR IS FEATURED IN THIS PHOTO ?
Answers to : des@burke-kennedy.com
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Carl cautley., DES BURKE-KENNEDY, Dom Jameson, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, John Corkery, Kildare, Meteor WSC, Michele Cautley, National Interclub Championships, National Waterski Champions, Ray Stokes, Robin Skelton, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Dublin, Waterski Lessons, Women Waterskiers
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Tuesday, September 25th, 2012
CONGRATULATIONS TO JAKE BRIDGES

When Jake Bridges (Golden Falls WSC) had a nasty Jump accident in the UK almost two years ago, it could well have put him off the event forever.
That is not the way real athletes think and so this new National Open Men Jump Record is a great credit to him. His previous National Record was set at 56.0m – and now he has pushed it all the way up to 59.2m / 195ft.
We doubt if this will be Jake’s last National Jump Record and as that 60.0m level gets closer and closer, all eyes will be on Jake in the season ahead.
Right now, Jake is back at his studies at University in Louisiana.
We all congratulate him on both a great recovery and a great new National Open Men Jump Record.
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, Jake Bridges, Jump Helmet, Jump suit, National Jump Record, National Waterski Jump Record, Ray Stokes, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Jump, Waterski Lessons
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Sunday, April 1st, 2012
CONCRETE POURED AND NEW ACCESS PATH CLEARED
As we all know, these past few months have delivered a few major shocks to Golden Falls – but thanks to the great support of our Members, solutions are on the way !

Access path and new concrete plinth
Over these past weeks and following our recent Committee meeting, we have worked on our plans to ensure that our 2012 Waterski season will be another great one for all. Our first challenge was to repair the old Fuel Jetty which was also damaged by the extraordinary water levels of this past year. Thanks to Figs, Simon, Daryl, Geoff, Siggi and Joe, the old structure was removed to our Car Park, Gas lines disconnected and a frame created for the pouring of the cement for the new base plinth. That concrete has already set. Fortunately, the water was at normal level at that time. This morning – see photo – that plinth was back under water again !

Pathway to the new Jetty
The stainless steel walkway comprising two lengths of 5m is under construction by Joe Hearne and thanks to Joe’s great efforts we should see the finished product in about 10 days time. The fabricated weatherproof walkway panels will drop into the frame once it is on site. The first 5m section will run from the shore to a steel frame on the concrete plinth to keep it above the high water levels – and the hinged second section will run from that out to the Jetty which will also be built shortly. Figs also organised the grading of our access walkway and that already looks good. We may need a donation of some temporary carpet to cover the ground in the walkway area.

Stainless steel sections under construction

High Water Erosion Damage This Morning
This is a bigger than expected project. It will however ensure that our 2012 season will get off to a good start as we finalise the details on how to return to our Clubhouse area once again. Discussions with the ESB, Banks and Committee will continue and we will keep you posted. Thanks to all for your help and we look forward to seeing you down at the Lake as soon as we post the OPEN sign here shortly. WATCH THIS SPACE.
Bank erosion continues as the ESB have not dropped the water levels back to those which we normal for the past 50 years. As you can see, the new fencing installed just a year ago at the request of the ESB during our new Lease discussions, continues to be undermined by the high water and already the concrete footings can now be seen above ground.

Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Daryl Higgins, DES BURKE-KENNEDY, Erosion, ESB, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, National Waterski Champions, Ray Stokes, SLALOM AND JUMP GRAND PRIX, Slalom Buoys, Slalom Course, SplashEye, Water Erosion, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Jump, Waterski Lessons, Women Waterskiers
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Sunday, December 11th, 2011
HEALESVILLE AND GOLDEN FALLS CELEBRATE A VERY SPECIAL LIFE

Healesville on Thursday bids farewell
Following the Celebration of Ray Stokes life in Healesville, Victoria, in Australia on Thursday, Golden Falls Members met today in Dublin to also share some memories on Ray’s visits to the Club in Ballymore Eustace over the past 20 years or more. Some tears and lots of smiles !
Australia’s Ray Stokes made an enormous contribution to the sport of Waterskiing in his short 51 year life. He revolutionised Jump Ski design, converted almost all to a much safer way to score big Jump distances, coached almost every major international Jumper and five National Teams, brought Emma Sheers and June Fladborg all the way to setting World Jump Records, and most of all made global friendships on a scale never seen before in our sport. With over 30,000 individual messages on his CaringBridge pages, his impact was exceptional. Irish Federation President Des Burke-Kennedy was invited to organise his Memorial Ceremony with the Stokes family in Healesville, Australia on Thursday.

Golden Falls remembers Ray today
Today, our Golden Falls Members got together at Chris Terry’s Cafe Du Journal in Monkstown, County Dublin for breakfast and to also celebrate the life of somebody who made so many great friendships over these past 20 years at our Lake. We then moved to DunLaoghaire’s West Pier to share some final thoughts beside the water.
Our condolences go to Ray’s family and June and Mark and Neil and all his closest friends. Our Club was one of the first to invite Ray to provide coaching courses and we will never forget his friendship over the past 20+ years. May he rest in peace.
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Cafe Du Journal, DES BURKE-KENNEDY, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, Irish National Waterski Championships, Jump Helmet, Jump suit, Ray Stokes, Ray Stokes Coach, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Jump, Waterski Lessons, World Jump Records
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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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Friday, September 2nd, 2011
SUPER RAFFLE PLANNED FOR SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT RAY STOKES GRAND PRIX

Get your iPad at Golden Falls
Come for the Skiing – and stay for the RAY RAFFLE PRIZES !
To create some extra fun at our September 10/11 RAY STOKES GRAND PRIX, we put out an urgent call yesterday for donations of interesting items for our special Raffle which will take place before our Podium results are announced on Sunday, September 11th at the Golden Falls Boardwalk.
Within just a few hours, great things happened. We received a sparkling new iPad from Donal Connolly, some rare Vintage Champagne from Simon Durham and a full KEEP FIT Course from Carl Cautley. Many thanks to Donal, Simon and Carl for responding so quickly. What a great start !

Can you add anything to the RAY RAFFLE ?
Just drop a note to Des with the details of anything you can offer so that the proceeds which will go to the RAY STOKES FUND and will be added to the TOTAL PRIZE FUND which is also going to help Ray at the RAY STOKES GRAND PRIX.
des@burke-kennedy.com
Tags: Apple iPad, Ballymore Eustace, Clubhouse, Daryl Higgins, DES BURKE-KENNEDY, Geoff Clarke, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, iPad, Irish National Waterski Championships, Jump Helmet, Jump suit, Keep Fit Course, Learn to Waterski, National Waterski Champions, Raffle, Ray Stokes, Ray Stokes Grand Prix, SLALOM AND JUMP GRAND PRIX, SplashEye, Super Raffle, Vintage Champagne, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Dublin, Waterski Jump, Waterski Lessons, 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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Saturday, August 13th, 2011
ANNUAL WOMEN’S FUN DAY ON THE WATER FROM 09.30 TOMORROW SUNDAY

FUN ALL DAY ON SUNDAY
This event was created last year by Golden Falls. This year, SIX Clubs are now involved and so it is really becoming a NATIONAL fun day for women on the water.
The whole idea is to increase the number of women involved in our sport. Fully supported by the Irish Sports Council, this project is really working. While female participation was at about 30% in the past years, last month our research showed it at 51% for July – and all time record. Well done to all for making this welcome trend happen.
Tomorrow we kick off at 09.30hrs and will keep going till the last one hangs on ! It should be great fun. Do come and join us and bring those cameras so that we can upload some great photos here on Monday morning. All you need is your swim gear and a towel – we will supply all the other equipment needed. At a special price of just Euro 15, we hope to be inundated all day long !!!
Tags: Ballymore Eustace, Clubhouse, Coaching, Daryl Higgins, DES BURKE-KENNEDY, Geoff Clarke, Golden Falls, Golden Falls Waterski Club, Irish National Waterski Championships, Ladies on the water, Learn to Waterski, National Waterski Champions, Ray Stokes, SLALOM AND JUMP GRAND PRIX, Slalom Buoys, Slalom Course, Water ski Ireland, Waterski Blessington, Waterski Boat Driver, Waterski Dublin, Waterski Jump, Waterski Lessons, Waterskiing in Dublin, Where can I waterski, Women Waterskiers
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