The Shortest Day Waterski Event has been held on the shores of Lake Wānaka for the last 27 years and brings together skiers and swimmers of all ages to brave the cold conditions.
The event first began when founder Graeme Vallance was building on Treble Cone above the inversion layer.
‘‘I thought we’d go for a snow ski in the morning then come down for a water-ski in the afternoon.
‘‘I didn’t think it would last more than a year — then people just wouldn’t stop calling me, asking if we’d do it again next year.
‘‘It’s pretty great really.’’
Gary Tweedie, who has helped run the event for the last 24 years took a lap of Lake Wānaka in a suit, Hawaiian shirt and Bert and Ernie beanie ‘‘just because he can’’.
He said the grey suit was back in style like lava lamps.
‘‘I put the suit on because it looks trendy — people love it.’’
‘‘We’ve had some really cold days, 20 years ago it was snowing and we still went out on the water.
‘‘It’s just a great day out,’’ he said.
Shortest day water-ski first-timer Kelley Kossanyi, of Ohio, said she had water-skied for a team while in college.
‘‘I have skied in a lot colder temperatures back home so I think it will be OK; I have my wetsuit,’’ she said.
MetService recorded a high of 11°C in Wānaka yesterday.
The Shortest Day Waterski Event raised money for Hato Hone St John.
