Thornhill water-skiers make life on the water family affair

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 15, 2014
By Tim Kelly

For Ben Wheeler water-skiing is as natural as walking and talking.

The seven-year-old Thornhill boy is the youngest competitor at the Canadian National Water Skiing Championships. He virtually started his life in a boat, watching skiers from the time he was two days old.

So it comes as no surprise he has taken to slalom skiing with such natural poise and style that he takes on competitors a year or two older.

It’s a thrill for Ben’s dad, Tom, a lifelong skier himself, who has followed in the spray of his own father, Reg, former president of the Canadian Water-Skiing Association.

Water-skiing has been a multi-generational passion for the Thornhill family, with Tom due to compete over the weekend in the 35-45 age category.

“I’m up against the old guys who still go at it pretty good. You put up the best score that you can. It would be pretty tough in the company we’ve got here. We’ve some really great skiers,” said Wheeler.

He raves about the site at Spray Lake Watersport and Activity Centre, located 18205 Keele St., in King Township.

“We’re really lucky to have a place like this, this close to the GTA in York Region. It’s a great spot and there is some excellent skiing going down by these kids,” Wheeler said.

He’s proud of Ben, who is the youngest competitor at the Nationals.

“He (Ben) is the youngest qualifier in quite a few years and it is the first experience for him and he’s wearing it well,” said Wheeler who said Ben was first on skis at age three and really started skiing when he was four.

The family has a cottage in the Kawarthas where they get plenty of opportunities to practice their skills.

Wheeler said the big thrill of water-skiing is “being able to be on top of the water. You can’t walk out on your pool, but you can throw some skis on, go out behind your boat and go on the water. It’s very addictive, it’s quite a sensation.”

He urges people to get out to the events on Saturday and Sunday, especially, when some of Canada’s best skiers will show off their skills from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the site.

Admission is free.

Water-skiing and waterboarding will take place at Ontario Place next July during the Pan Am Games. There were test runs performed for the Games this week at Spray Lake.