Damian (18), who is in Wanaka on a six-month exchange from Switzerland, was among a hardy group who braved the icy water of Lake Wanaka yesterday afternoon, for an annual winter water-skiing and barbecue event at Roys Bay, to mark the shortest day of the year.
He was unwell when his host family went water-skiing shortly after his arrival in January, so yesterday was his only opportunity to try it before he heads home to Switzerland in two weeks.
"I thought, 'it's a unique experience so let's do it'," he told the Otago Daily Times as he emerged shivering from the lake after several failed attempts to get upright on the skis.
"It's harder than expected, actually, but even though I wasn't skiing it was still a lot of fun."
Asked if he would try waterskiing again back home, Damian replied: "Absolutely, although probably not in the middle of winter".
Money raised by the event went to Coastguard Wanaka Lakes.
