Oak Bay High student Jake Chambers is one of two Shawnigan Lake teen water-skiers who hauled home medals from provincial, national and international events last year.
Chambers and Jaret Goulah train with the Shawnigan Lake’s Victoria Aqua Ski Club most recently earned wins at the Pan American Water-ski Championships in San Bernardo, Chile.
The championships are held every two years with an Under 17 age division and an Under 14 age division. Participating countries included Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Brazil, and Peru.
The 2022 competition was held Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, with Chambers representing Canada on the U17 team, and Goulah representing Canada on the U14 team.
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While each athlete vied for individual medals in each discipline, as well as an overall medal, each country was competing for an overall team medal, based on points awarded for three events – slalom, trick and jump.
The U17 Canadian team won gold with Chambers winning silver medal in the trick event.
Goulah won the bronze medal in the jump event – helping the U14 team score silver.
“Jake and Jaret’s success in Chile came as no surprise as both boys had a habit of podium finishes this summer,” said a club press release. “Jake spent the season winning gold in slalom and bronze overall at the Canadian Open; gold in trick at Canadian nationals; and a silver medal overall at Canadian nationals for all three ski events.”
Chambers was also invited to the Red Bull Pro Am three-event competition at Predator Bay. He most recently returned from the World Junior Water-skiing Competition in Chile where the team finished second.
Meanwhile, Goulah earned himself a gold medal in jump at nationals, westerns, and provincials. He was also invited to compete at the Canadian Junior Open where he competed in U17 boys and won a bronze medal.
Goulah also set a new Canadian record in the jump event this summer with a 135-foot jump that ranked him No. 3 in the world in U14.
“Not bad for two local boys, both proud members of the Vancouver Aqua Ski Club of Shawnigan Lake,” the release reads.
The VASC is the oldest water ski club in Canada. Anyone interested in joining, or paying the club a visit, can call club president Lee Curtis at 250-893-2881.
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