The Gloucester Water Ski Association (GWSA) has been around the block; or should we say, around the river. Established in 1973, we’re the longest-standing water ski club in Ottawa, and the largest in the area open to the general public. We’re a member-run, not-for-profit organization and we’ve called beautiful Ecolands Park home for over 45 seasons. We’re proud to say our club was founded by Pat M
essner, a slalom specialist who holds Canada’s only Olympic medal in water skiing—a bronze in women’s slalom at the 1972 Summer Olympics—along with 4 world championship medals, 18 Canadian champion titles and 19 different Canadian records (impressive right?). Pat is now the head coach of Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada’s (WSWC) national adaptive team, and still makes use of our course from time to time. Today, our members range from barefoot and trick skiers to wakeboarders and every enthusiast in between, but the club’s true bread and butter is slalom (come out and try the course for yourself and you’ll see why). We’re not a ski school, but we do welcome novices—both youth and adults—to come out and learn the basics of water skiing from us. Over the years, we’ve built a community made up of water skiers of all ages and skill levels, where bonds are formed amongst family, friends, neighbours, and strangers who all share a love of being behind the boat. Come join us; you’ll leave with sore muscles, new friends, and a renewed passion for the sport. Ottawa Water Ski Club (OWSC) F.K.A - Gloucester Water ski Association
Come and share your enthusiasm for recreational or competitive water skiing with the Ottawa Water Ski Club, the largest waterski club in the Ottawa area open to the general public. The club operates out of Eccolands Park on River Road, just south of the Hunt Club bridge. We are a member run, water skiing club, supporting traditional two-event (slalom, trick) and barefoot enthusiasts in pursuing their on-water activities. We are not a ski school however we welcome novices, either youth or adults, to come out and learn the basics of waterskiing from us. The Ottawa Water Ski Club offers:
- A Ski Nautique 200 boat equipped with Perfect Pass (GPS speed control system)
-A Malibu Response LX with wakeboard tower, wake plate and barefoot boom
- A professional SLALOM COURSE
- Skiing equipment
- Corporate events
- And most of all... a lot of fun! The club operates from mid-May to mid-October primarily in the evenings after 16h00, but skiing is often organized for early mornings, weekends, and whenever we can! It’s simple. When someone wants to ski, they send out a request through the club group email indicating the date and time they want to ski. As long as three people jump in and agree to come out (with at least two being club approved boat drivers), the session is a go. The club is an incorporated, not-for-profit, member-run association. All club members are entitled to the use of the club facilities and are expected to contribute to the upkeep of the club. A driver training program is in place to certify experienced drivers and provide training to new members who want to become a driver. Fee Structure (2021)��Non-Member rate: Non-members can ski at a rate of $5 per minute up to a maximum of $40. Note that non-members can only ski up to 4 times without becoming a member of WSWO (Water Ski Wakeboard Ontario) or FQSN (Fédération Québecoise de Ski Nautique). After becoming a member of an association, a non-member can ski as many times as they want, but may determine that becoming a member is financially better for them. Member rate�The club operates with a 2-part fee structure based on fixed membership, plus per minute usage. It should be noted that for insurance purposes all club members are required to join the Water Ski Wakeboard Ontario Association or the Fédération Québecoise de Ski Nautique and identify their club affiliation. The fee for a single membership is $40.
�OWSC Membership fees:
Annual membership $300.00
Student membership $240.00
Family Discounts 40% discount on 2nd adult member
Kids under 12 ski on parent’s membership
Member per minute ski fees: $3 per pass through the course or minute of skiing. Timer pauses during rests.
