Highlights of western Canadian watersports in 2013

Shalom Park

Repeatedly classified as one of the top ten waterski parks in the world, Shalom Park outside of Edmonton was designed by a professional engineer with a serious passion for waterskiing.

Ken Nelson, who started waterskiing competitively in his early 20s and currently holds the title of national champion in the sport at the age of 68, built the park in the winter of 1985 and has been making improvements to the property and its programming ever since.

“We have such excellent water conditions,” he said. “We’ve got tremendous wind protection from the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River, so we get very little wind here. We have slow water, which waterskiers like very much because it allows them to perform to their best. We’ve had many records set here.”

While Shalom has a ski club, Nelson said the facilities are also open to the general public. Park programming includes a New Kids on the Water learn-to-ski program for children between the ages of five and 12, an Honour Day military appreciation event and several tournaments for skiers at a range of riding levels. Day passes are also available.

Sasktel Summer Invasion

This summer riders can go from a park named for peace to an action sport and music festival set to invade downtown Regina, the annual Sasktel Summer Invasion.

According to Randy Malinoski, store manager at Martin’s Motorsports in Saskatoon which is the tow boat supplier for the event, Summer Invasion is a riding event not to be missed.

“Summer Invasion in Regina is an annual wakeboaring event,” said Malinoski. “It’s right on the Wascana River, right downtown in Regina. It’s easy access; annually about 17,000 people show up."

While there is a charge for the nightly concerts, Malinoski said the event, happening August 23 to 25, is free to the general public during the day.