I don't want to do that - it's much too dangerous!
Actually, it's not dangerous at all for beginners (unless you can't swim, of course!). Once you have a wet suit, life jacket and skis on it's really quite difficult to sink and you are well protected. However, the above is a classic wimp's response and wimps will not be encouraged.

So it's for fitness enthusiasts and macho types only?
Not at all. Wimps apart, anybody can do it (and beginners are particularly welcome). However, you will certainly become fitter if you come skiing regularly. This is a sport that exercises the muscles other sports don't reach. (Just ask anybody who has tried to get out of bed the morning after their first skiing session.) But don't worry - after about three outings you will just feel pleasantly exhausted.

What sort of people go?
Those who have been (and envious onlookers) will tell you that water skiing tends to appeal to the livelier, more extrovert types in IVC. We normally get a group of 6-10 people each week. What is more, the sub-club is run just as much for social as sporting purposes and plenty of parties and other outings are organised - usually at relatively short notice.

How difficult is it?
It isn't. Water skiing is basically quite easy from the outset and it doesn't take long to make significant progress (provided that you listen to the instructions!) but progressing to some of the more advanced techniques, as in any sport, will take time and application. Beginners will find that our teaching method (starting on a bar beside the boat rather than on the end of a long rope) gets them feeling confident pretty quickly.

I can't afford it
You have to be pretty hard up if that is really the case. Only £16.50 buys you a morning's (or occasionally an afternoon's) socialising, tuition, equipment hire and a quarter of an hour on the water.

I haven't got any equipment
Poor you! But see above - it's all provided. We provide more or less everything you need (ie. wet suit, buoyancy jacket and skis) - short of a swimming costume and a towel. (NB. Wearers of contact lenses may need to bring their own goggles if they cannot see without the lenses.)

How am I going to get there?
There are two venues: Banbury Water Sports Centre (part of the Lee Valley complex near Chingford on the North Circular) at weekends and Thorpe Ski Training (next to Thorpe Park in Surrey) on weekday evenings. We provide full directions. If you haven't got a car and the train isn't convenient, lifts can easily be arranged. We usually go to a nice pub in Highgate for lunch after each session - then the rest of the day is yours!

What happens if it rains?
You're going to get wet anyway! In any case, skiing conditions sometimes actually improve in a gentle rain. It takes really nasty conditions to make skiing unpleasant - and we rarely get those. Having said that - there are no contingency plans and all the slots have to be paid for regardless, so you turn up anyway, please!

How can I book?
First, see either the Bulletin or the website for details of proposed dates (we normally expect to go at least every weekend during the summer from May to September). Then ring Bob on 01932 829798 (home) or 0207 333 5615 (work) or 07850 728265 (mobile - only on the day of your ski, please).

It is most important that you ring before writing. Also, the sooner you ring, the more likely it is that a place can be reserved for you. However, please note that places sometimes become available at the last moment in the event of unavoidable cancellations and it is always worth checking for spare places - even up to the last two hours before the event (mobile).