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Golden Gate Water Ski
Club History
1948-Present
Golden Gate Water Ski Club is the oldest, continually running water
ski club, sanctioned by the American Water Ski Association (A.W.S.A.)
Our purpose is to support and promote the sport of water Skiing
at all levels, from the beginning recreational skier to the international
competitive skier. Our membership has grown from a few adventurous
skiers in 1948 to over 100 memberships in 1998. We presently have
many members competing at the regional and national levels. Two
well known past members that competed at the regional and national
levels were Chris and Bob LaPoint.
Golden Gate Water Ski Club was organized in early 1948, and was
incorporated under the laws of the State of California in 1949.
A group of pioneer water skiers, who were interested in competitive
and show skiing, frequented the resort called Willow Point at Lakeport,
California. There they established the first slalom course on Clear
Lake. The first meeting of this interested group of skiers was held
in Berkeley, California. Two of these original members, Paul Gutleben
and Gene Doran, still maintain their membership as honorary members
today. Golden Gate Water Ski Club was one of the first clubs to
become affiliated with the American Water Ski Association (A.W.S.A.)
and helped to form the Bay Area Tournament Association (B.A.T.A.).
Through these associations, Golden Gate Water Ski Club sponsors
sanctioned tournaments. Many of its past and present members have
become Regional, National and World Champions.
The club's first permanent location was called Skier's Roost, a
small island the club leased from a farmer in the San Joaquin Delta.
The members developed the site and installed a slalom course adjacent
to the island. The slalom course the club currently uses, was made
available to the club by Roland Smith, a former member. This accounted
for the manning of the facility as "Rollies". In 1987
the named was changed to Skier's Roost in honor of the original
site.
In 1966 the club purchased an undeveloped five-acre island, also
in the South San Joaquin Delta. This they called Golden Isle. Through
the years the increasing memberships have helped to develop Golden
Isle into a premiere "home away from home" skiers paradise,
which includes, facilities for picnicking, barbecuing, and overnight
camping.
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