BFC Australia hosts Junior Girls Development Camp
What the Sub-Junior Girls are up to during Winter in Australia

The July school holidays were approaching. I’m told four young girls had been counting down the days with much excitement in anticipation of their week ahead on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The youngest is only 9 and the eldest 12 years old. You could be forgiven in believing that the theme parks and lure of the beach had created this excitement. Well, it was actually the chance to renew friendships formed at the Barefoot Nationals in April and the anticipation of footing everyday for a week that created this excitement. These girls are not your average little girls they are members of Australia’s Junior Squad (and they will be the first to tell you so).

Allow me to illustrate what I mean. Both Ashlea and Courtney McDonald had a fifteen hour drive with Mum, Rhonda and Dad, Stewart to get to the Gold Coast. The girls did not sleep a single minute during their entire roadtrip. Riley Mackay flew up from Sydney with Mum, Donna. She stayed up late the night before (waiting for Mum to get home from work was the excuse), then first up the next morning to go to the airport (Riley usually takes at least two wake up calls in the morning to get moving). Megan Roberts was arriving on a late flight with her Mum, Denise. The other girls already had their pajamas on but when asked if they would like to meet Megan at the airport they moved faster than Superman to change for the ride to the airport.

The fun had certainly started from the very first moment. What lied ahead was five great days of training with the right mix of learning, playing, working as a team and just getting to know each other. The parents (Donna, Denise, Rhonda and Stewart) were always on hand as the support crew, for which I am very grateful (especially when it was time to suit up in drysuits). This special group of four grew to five when Sam Payne joined later in the week. So without further delay allow me to share this special week with you all.

A typical day would start at 6am (only one wake up call required no snooze buttons to mention) then straight to the kitchen for breakfast. The lounge room was then transformed to facilitate a 15min warm up / stretch class. By day 5 the girls were adding their personal flare to the exercise routine, each instructed their chosen exercise. Next it was time to suit-up in their drysuits. They all knew the boat would leave the dock at 7am ready or not, so I guess that explains why they were all there at 6.50am, every morning.

The running order was varied everyday, but all the girls were in the boat for every set. Now remember its winter. They each skied three sets a day, which is a great effort given it is the off season. But one word of warning to you all should you find yourself in the boat with this special crew of young ladies. Bladder control is not their forte. I shouldn’t really be the one to comment, however when drysuits are the order of the day a simple comfort stop takes on a whole new meaning.

Each of the girls had set their own goals for the week. They included tumbleturns, backwards both on the boom and long line, one foot forward slalom (and reverse), rope on toe (basic and reverse), backward rope on toe and of course a toe up start. This also required land drills both Glenn Haggath and Foot made great towboats on land. Foot conducted his land drills over the noise of the wind absolutely howling when the river got blown out on the Wednesday.

So, what did we do when the wind blew? Well we had a picnic lunch on the beach with a little sightseeing at Danger Point, in hope of spotting a whale. Now from this point on the girls could never again complain about the cold. Lead by our fearless Megan they all swam in the cold ocean water, for over half an hour. This was backed up with a very awkward attempt at beach volleyball given the force of the wind. Time is up – game over – let’s get back for one for set on the water.

This last set usually consisted of a slalom relay event, where the girls all had a single pass of slalom and their combined score had to better their previous. All guns were blazing when it was decided that a one-foot cross would be awarded double points. Clearly the girls smashed their previous scores every time. Now if a 10 year old girl can do forward one foot wake crosses behind our Custom Protégé ski boat, any bloke should be able to, right!

On the Thursday the wind had arrived exactly as it did the day before. So, what could we do this time? With some forethought and the expectation that the wind would blow – much to the girls’ surprise - Luke Hendrie had organized a session with the trapeze group he regularly trains with. Yes, you read correctly, trapeze, as in circle trapeze. Climbing a tall narrow ladder onto a tiny platform, swing to enormous highest and then drop onto a net. All the girls had a swing or two or three. Remember, they are only young and very tiny – they each stepped out of their comfort zone and had a swinging good time (sorry I had to squeeze that phrase I somewhere).
 

I shouldn’t neglect to mention the other in-between activities shared by the girls. There were the pool games, running to and from the spa and icy waters of the river (wearing only bikinis) not to mention the singing – Oh, did I have to mention the singing? The neighbours thought it was great but from where I was sitting in the boat – well let’s say I’m glad they can barefoot.

Through the week there were some standout comments. Riley would have to take the prize for providing the driver with the most detailed and very specific instructions. Only problem is she’s yet to realise the motor needs to be running before you call ‘in gear’. Courtney has proven to be a far better video operator than her Dad and Megan has shown her leadership skills in more ways than one. Ashlea has shown she has the biggest heart of all. This ten-year-old had a big fall with every breath of air punched out of her. Although there were tears she was not done yet, ‘I’ll have another go’ she says. Sam earned everyone’s respect with doing a tumble up first attempt long line on the last run of the week. Great job Sam!

To finish this fabulous week the girls footed five up long line several times up and down the home straight on the Coomera River. The smiles, cheers and singing said it all. Ask any one of them ‘Who are the Champions?’ and they will answer loud and proud ‘WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS’.

John and I have hosted the Australian Junior Squad in July for a number of years now but it cannot be a success without the help of others. I would like to thank Glenn Haggath, Foot and Luke Hendrie for their boat driving and coaching. Big thanks to Denise, Donna and Rhonda for keeping the house and groceries in check (not to mention being of great support to myself). Although Stewart’s video skills were average at the beginning of the week, his help proved invaluable. Thanks for being my extra pair of hands for the week Stew. Finally, thanks to Geoff Davis and Peter O’Neill. Their continued support for junior development in our chosen sport of barefoot water skiing is appreciated.

Thanks again to all involved on behalf of myself and John.

Gizie and John are sponsored by Wing Wetsuits and www.BarefootCentral.com.au.  We appreciate his support and efforts to bring us these interesting articles.

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