Georgian Bay Lean

I learned to water ski on Georgian Bay. While my family has been present on Sunnyside Beach in St. Vincent Township and Meaford for almost 100 years, I don't know much about what Sunnyside Beach residents did for water sports in the 30's to the 50's. My story here begins in the 50's, my first few years on Georgian Bay. Water sports seem to have evolved quite a bit in since the 50's, but it mostly seems to have included skimming or bouncing on the surface of the Bay. Of course there is diving and snorkeling, but that is another story. While my first ski was on another lake, my real skiing happened here. I have been here for part of every year of my life. When I was 12, in the 60’s, and then through my teen years and beyond, I joined with friends who also loved water skiing. During the summer on Sunnyside Beach the water is often flat calm even though Georgian Bay is huge. There are rough water days, but in between those we skied and skied and skied. Four or five of us would get together on a warm summer day in July or August, and ski several times a day. Starting at one family’s motor boat we would bring our own skis if we had them. We would stand in a line on the dock waiting for our turn. In the 60s and 70s it would have been Bren, Brad, Richie, Doug, Sue, brother Mike and more. We would each go for a ski run, a big loop, or two on the magnificent calm water of Georgian Bay. After everyone had one run, we would go to the next family boat and go again, all the way down Sunnyside, visiting several docks, boats and ski ropes. Of course the conversation was about the best lean, or the wickedest fall - cartwheels often winning those discussions - as long as no one was hurt. Of course we would also compare notes on which was the best slalom ski. When we were younger our parents would drive for us, but as we gained boating experience we drove for each other. The hard part was working to earn $$ to buy gas. Of course we also grew into better ski boats, bigger motors (and less for fishing). I remember hot summer days during which we skied all day long. There was nothing like the buttery feel of the water on a calm day. When it had the little ripples we called it traction. We skied on two, slalom, wake boards and barefoot. We would double and triple ski. In the 80s and 90s we were focused on teaching and taking our kids, and nieces and nephews. Some of them are tube riders. Ew. Well, whatever brings fun! Since 2000, it is more of the same. Making fun, on skis, on Georgian Bay. A grand highlight for me, when I began my own family and owned my own cottage on Sunnyside, and my own boat, it is the greatest of days teaching my kids to ski and ski all day with them. That is one of many reasons why I love Georgian Bay.