ESWSC History
How did we come about?
Back in 1977, it was proposed that the whole length of the River Deben be subject to a speed limit of 8 knots. The skiers at that time were forced to form a club to represent their interests on the matter and so the East Suffolk Water Ski Club was born.
After a successful campaign, the speed limit was only imposed on certain stretches of the river (all of it except the area where the ESWSC now skis). In 1980, Planning permission was granted to the club for the positioning of a floating jetty, a ski jump and a slalom course on the Felixstowe side of the Deben in the only stretch of water without a speed limit. This area has become known as the skiing area. At that time, the club equipment was built by the members as funds were scarce. They built a jetty and laid out a slalom course. A ski jump was built which saw many spectacular falls on competition days.
In 1986 the club managed to obtain planning permission to convert a store shed in the grounds of the Victoria public house into a changing room. This changing facility was fitted with one shower to accommodate both sexes. It would appear that the female members were a little less shy in those days. 1987 saw the association of the ESWSC and the Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club (FFSC). This meant that the changing facilities were much improved with hot showers, the parking increased and the members could enjoy the comfort of a club bar.
In 1988 a new jetty arrived as the clubs finances were looking rather healthy. In June 1989 the ESWSC took delivery of a second hand jump which it bought from a club in Grimsby.
Up until 1990 the ESWSC had an agreement with the lady who owned the Slipway, this allowed us to launch our boats with no charge as long as we collected launching fees from non-members who used the Slipway. Some of the money collected was passed onto her as commission.
In 1991 the Slipway was bought by a consortium calling themselves the Felixstowe Ferry Foreshore Trust (FFFT). We negotiated to retain the right to launch our boats over the Slipway and to charge non-members for launching their boats which we achieved. These days the club has a new jetty built in 2002, a slalom course (not to tournament standard), a full size ski jump, fully qualified BWS instructors & coaches, several qualified club drivers, the Slipway and our affiliation with the FFSC, all necessary ski equipment and wetsuits for beginners whatever their choice of water-skiing discipline.
We are also a British Water Ski SBDA test centre, waterski instructor & barefoot instructor development centre & club driver test centre. We hope that you will come and ski with and join in with our family atmosphere whether you are a beginner or a experienced skier!
The club still runs on the basis of Club members having their own boats, and local arrangements are made between members as those without boats marry up with those that have.
On Wednesday evenings, members are generally willing to take beginners out behind their boats for suitable remuneration to cover costs. This is how we recruit new members to the club.
East Suffolk Water Ski Club