Ski

The  Ski became part of Surf Life Saving Competition in the post war era,  (1945-50), making getting out to the patient quicker than the reel and the board. Glenelg tasted very limited success in the ski area during  the 1950's, 60's and 70's. During the early 1980's Bob Clarke initiated many young club members into the kayak movement here in Adelaide following on from the great success of Southport S.L.S.C in the ski area at State and National Titles in the early 1980's. Bob was a forward thinking club member whose approach was years ahead of anyone else in SA.

At the same time Mark Cocks, Shane Daw and Craig Burton developed a broad appeal to the  club with ski training in the surf and thus opening up the ski to a new audience. Craig Burton and Shane Daw has significant success in the early 80's winning doubel ski races interstate as well as achieving great results at both State and National levels.

Following from Bob's pursuits in the kayak discipline names such as Dobie, Bonaguro, Fielder, Michell and particularly Dalton became the new breed of Glenelg ski paddlers, enjoying significant success in the ski arena. The turn around in fortune came in the 1990/91 season when Glenelg won the Junior Ski Relay, Junior Double and Tony Dalton, the Junior Single Ski Title. During the 1990's Glenelg dominated the ski area under the guidance of Craig Burton and the persistence of Stephen Dalton, with much of the ground work laid by Bob  Clarke during the mid 1980's.

In 2000 Stephen Dalton and Nat Gohl paddled to Bronze in the final of the double ski at the Australian Titles. Glenelg's most successful result  ever in the water area in the Open competition, further to this Stephen went to the World Titles at Manly after the Australian Titles and gained a Bronze in the Open Single Ski. Glenelg's first ever finalist and medallist at the World Titles. A tremendous achievement by our most successful ski paddler ever.

In 2002 Glenelg SLSC Ski Team was the force in SA.  Hannah Davis was the current Open Female Ski Champion, brothers Stephen and Tony Dalton the  Open Double Ski Champions, while the all conquering trio of Steve, Tony and Nat Gohl were the Open Ski Relay Champions, as well as, Australian Finalists.

Success has continued for the GSLSC ski team despite some key retirements. In 2008 the new breed of GSLSC ski paddlers experienced success with Jebb Staite winning the Open Male Ski title and in 2009, Hannah Davis reclaimed her Open Female Ski title. Today's champions such as Jebb and Hannah are already setting the scene for the next generation with their mentoring of the up and coming Jack Curtis, Kate Curtis and several other young paddlers. Master coach Gerry Cornelius is recognised as one of the truly great ski coaches in SA and brings immense enthusiasm and depth to the section.