ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The 23rd Annual California Waterski Pro-Am, a three-day tournament at Shortline Lake in Elk Grove, awarded cash prizes to top performers in slalom and jumping.

The champions of each event are able to qualify for the Masters Water Ski Tournament, which is the most prestigious tournament in the world.             

Shortline Lake has held this event for the last five years, after seasons in Brentwood and Rio Linda. Although Shortline is a private lake, it has hosted local tournaments, collegiate tournaments, pro events and even world championships.     

“This is one of the best lakes in the country,” said amateur skier Kevin Bishop.

The California Pro-Am is one of the largest professional water ski events in the country, featuring both the men’s and women’s professional and amateur divisions. The amateur division competed on Friday, July 18. Then they were to help run the open division event the next two days leading into the finals on Sunday, July 20.

During the weekend, Elk Grove native Ryan Canepa was able to place fourth in the men’s open slalom event. Not only was he in his hometown, he actually lives on Shortline Lake. Still, there is not as much homefield advantage when it comes to these events.                   

“People expect you to go out there and do well because it’s your home site. But really there’s tournament conditions, different boats, different drivers, different everything … it really doesn’t feel like a normal day skiing,” Canepa said.               

Canepa has been skiing in this tournament for nine years, and this year was the first time he had made the finals.

There are multiple uncontrollable factors that every skier faces no matter where the event is held. 

Facing these factors is always going to be difficult. And just like every sport there are going to be difficult challenges that an athlete must face to stay on track, especially with a sport like water skiing.       

 “The biggest thing is probably just a commitment of time,” Canepa said. “Keeping yourself in a position where you can practice and stay on the water several times a week.”

Whether someone is a beginner or experienced skiers like Canepa and Bishop, the commitment of being in the water is going to be the most important part. And it is never too late to start.

“We had skiers this weekend that were 80 years old. I don’t think it’s ever too late. This is a sport you can do well in life,” Bishop said.