Oxbowski

I was able to catch some of the water ski tournament going on at the Oxbow this weekend, getting there just as the individual act competition was wrapping up with this talented young lady, showing her stuff...



It was a decent crowd on the bleachers and grassy slope of the Oxbow's viewing area, and I found myself a spot close to the water, and near the announcer's stage.





There was a brief delay as the Oxbow's new ramp, (fresh from Sea World and 'Jaws' fame), was inspected before the show.



An issue with the water not being turned on slowed things down for a few minutes. Apparently there's supposed to be water running over the ramp to make it slipperier. Team Holland, the first team on the roster, eagerly called out that they were ready to go, with or without the water...



...but the officials wouldn't have it; The Water Must Be On. But soon enough the issue was resolved, and Team Holland was under way...





They were natural crowd-pleasers, and the audience clapped and cheered enthusiastically at their stunts...







Their jumping was great, although there were a couple slight mishaps that didn't diminish the overall excitement of the performance, at least from this spectator's perspective.



However, the sterner judges had their own opinions...



Next up was a red-shirted troop, who similarly wowed the audience with their own repertoir of tricks and daring-do.



...and finally came the Oxbow's own team; a contingent of nine skiers, all in bright DPW green...



It took three boats to haul them around the Oxbow, as each group took turns at the ramp.



They were definitely the most polished of the three competing teams, and the judges scored them accordingly...



...but after all, this is their home field.



This portion of the tourney wrapped up with an unusual, and world-famous, act for the benefit of a Team Oxbow member who suffered a major tragedy earlier this year. This guy on a hydrofoil ski stunned the crowd with the apparatus' ability to launch out of the water at will, sans-ramp.



The man is good. He's a world champion and has performed all over, doubling the world record for consecutive flips, and even making appearances on tv shows like 'Baywatch'.



A good wrap up to an enjoyable show.



I suspect the new ramp will contribute to a local rise in the popularity of this sport in the coming years, both in competitors and in spectators. It was my first time checking it out, and I'll be back...

Woodcraft

Sun-showers were falling as we headed over to the Oxbow Marina this past Saturday, to see some classic old boats that were on display...





Woodies, mostly.



The show was being held by the Baystate Woodies, a local chapter of the larger group called the Antique and Classic Boat Society.







They hold many events like this one, drawing classic wooden boat owners from all over. It's not really a competition, but if the owner wants, their boats can be given a score from 1 to 100, based on such categories as upholstery, engines and finish. The categories are also further divided into classes like Antique (1919-1942), Classic (1943-1968), and Custom or Modern Classic. I'm no boat fanatic, but it's hard not to appreciate the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail employed in building these old beauties...



A lot of them sport cockpits that resemble fine cars of the day...





With engines to match.



Some in fact were pretty much all engine.



And some even had Rumble Seats.



This one might have scored a little under the curve in the finish department, but it looks like a work in progress...



It would take quite a bit of money to build one of these boats today. Well, some people have that kind of money, and do build them today; like the nice example below:



The classic era apparently peaked in the 60's, with some real spacey-looking types...



Behold the Maltese Magnum Missile. Got Testosterone?



Bond...James Bond.



WGGB made a quick appearance, and took some footage.



A couple vintage cars trickled in, as we were leaving. Classics have a way of drawing classics...





This is the second such show I've been to. There's just something fascinating about seeing that kind of workmanship, with materials that are so rarely in use in this plastic era. These old boats must be loads of fun out on the water. If given the opportunity to ride in one, I guess I'd have to say: