During the days boats fly along the Murray River at speeds up to 180 kilometres an hour, all with skiers in tow. Along the course anyone can watch the action from a number of vantage points, however there is nothing like being at Victoria Park as the boats roar across the finish line.

The Breakfast With The Stars kicks off the activities on the Friday morning, while the Southern 80 launch night in the evening is one not to miss. The action really begins on the water on Saturday when skiers compete in social classes, including tadpoles, veterans and disabled classes.

Later in the day the big guns contest the invitation only "Baker’s Blitz" over 20 kilometres to see who has pole position for the main race. The winner also takes out the Ted Hurley Memorial Trophy and cash.

You can see the big boats up close when they take part in the static display on the Saturday from 9am until noon, followed by great viewing with the street parade. Next year’s proposed parade course sees the Blitz boats face north in Hare St, following the block along Hare, Anstruther, High and Pakenham streets (anti-clockwise) before proceeding up to Heygarth St. They will then travel towards High St and turn left, and disperse past the water tower.

Non-Blitz boats move off at noon from Hare St south to join onto Blitz boats on their second run along Hare St, and follow the same parade route as the Blitz boats. The engines roar early on Sunday morning when the first boat leaves from Torrumbarry. Social classes kick off the action, with non-stop racing action throughout the day. Then all eyes are on the river as the superclass boats contest the prized Southern 80, the climax of the world’s largest water ski event.

The Moama Water Sports Club has a new team leader and some new faces to help make next year’s Club Marine Southern 80 water ski race the best yet.

Noel Grant takes over as president from Harley Nicholls, who remains on the committee. Neil Donald has taken on the position of vice president. Helen Britnell is again the club’s secretary and has proven to be professional and efficient.

Two new directors are Mandy Mitchell and Dick Minchin, joining Nicholls, Ken Oliver, Peter Glanville and Donna Wilson. The club thanks retiring members Craig Beehag and Kerry Floyd for their input over many years. They have been hard working stalwarts of the club and their contributions will be missed.

The coming year is a challenge to attract new members to the club and to seek new ideas for social events during the year. The club is thrilled to have Club Marine aboard for another year as a major sponsor. Promotional Services are again part of the team.

The club hopes ski racing supporters can see their way clear to join the membership ranks to ensure the club and the Southern 80 race continue to grow well into the next millennium .

1998 –99 committee:

President Noel Grant; vice president Neil Donald; treasurer Donna Wilson; secretary Helen Britnell; Directors Harley Nicholls, Ken Oliver, Peter Glanville, Donna Wilson, Mandy Mitchell, Dick Minchin.

Inquiries can be directed to secretary, Helen Britnell on the following numbers: office: 03 5480 6754, mobile: 018 505 554, fax: 03 5480 1115.

Meetings of the board are held at the clubrooms on the first Tuesday (general meeting) and third Tuesday (directors meeting) of the month from 8pm.