Water Skiing On The Schuylkill In Norristown On New Years Day

By KATALINAS COMMUNICATIONS

A bevy of water skiers will brave winter’s chill on New Year’s Day to benefit a Montgomery County-based summer camp.

With the region’s unseasonably warm weather, organizer Brian Birsa said he’s not sure if the 36th annual Port Indian Ski Freeze will share ice-breaking tactics of early days.

“In years past, we had to get an old boat out there to break through the ice,” Birsa said, adding that ice or not, it’s still sure to be frigid temperatures. “The attraction is the cold.”

With the day’s contributions helping to fund Montgomery County-based Camp Rainbow Inc.’s week-long overnight summer camping experience for hundreds of deserving county children, getting wet and being cold is worthwhile.

“It’s a lot of fun to watch,” Birsa said. “We’ve been getting bigger and bigger each year. We’re in growth mode, and it’s for a great cause.”

In 2015, Birsa said the ski club raised about $3,200 and hopes to raise even more money in 2016. The camp, which is located in Lower Salford Township and operates as a nonprofit organization, provides a camping experience to children ages 7 to 16 each summer.

Anyone willing to sign a waiver and make a donation can come out on New Year’s Day and water ski. “Ideally you’ll know how to water ski – it’s not a good time to learn,” Birsa said of participants. Spectators are welcome to cheer on the participants, and often come with noisemakers from the previous night’s festivities.

So what prompted folks to take to water skiing 36 years ago – in the middle of winter?

“It started as a bet in 1979 between some river folks about who was going to start the waterski season earlier,” Birsa said. “You can’t get any earlier than Jan. 1.”

In addition to water skiing, Birsa said the annual event features an auction, hot food and drinks, baked goods and music, as well as a fire pit and warming hut for the skiers. “It’s a fun time for spectators and skiers alike, and a great way to start off the New Year along the Schuykill River.”

Participant T-shirts, which say “I survived the 2016 Port Indian Ski Freeze,” will be available for purchase.

If you go

The 36th annual Port Indian Ski Freeze will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 1 at #18 East Indian Lane, located next to the Norristown Boat Club. Skiers must make a donation in order to participate. All funds benefit Camp Rainbow Inc. For more information on the event, email Brian Birsa at bbirsa@yahoo.com.

For more information, or to donate to Camp Rainbow Inc., visithttp://camprainbowinc.com/ and click on the donate button.