Club History

The Nipmuc Water Ski Club, founded in 1954, has a rich history of providing family fun on the shores of Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg in Webster, MA. Throughout our fifty plus year history, we have promoted recreational and competition level skiing in a family-friendly environment.

It All Began . . . in the Winter of 1954 on the shores of Webster Lake. The ski club was organized by seven water ski enthusiasts - they were Gerry Bernier, Ray Blair, Gerald "Tate" Dion, George Hekowycz, Andy Hoenig, Gretchen Hoenig, and Roger Lavoie. In the winter of 1954 an opening meeting was held at Jesse White's Marina. Two ski shows were held at Birch Island Pavilion and donations from these shows, totaling $132.00, were used to build the club's first jump. Andy Hoeing was made chairman of the Jump Building Committee.

Throughout the 1950s the club expanded and continued to perform ski shows and tournaments at Snug Harbor and Birch Island. In 1958 Irv Piehler was the first club member to win first place in an AWSA sanctioned tournament and held the Eastern Boy's Jumping Record at 84 feet. The 1950's eneded with the club having a membership of over 100 and members regulary participating in regional tournaments

The 60's - The Golden Era for the Club With the club continuing to expand, and club members asserting themselves on the regional tournament level, the 1960s began with the Nipmuc Ski Club as a powerhouse for waterskiing in the North East. The Club hosted the 1962 AWSA Eastern Regional Tournament, which was a great success with many club members comparing and bringing home trophies. Jackie Lynch qualified to go to the Nationals in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Howie Tryba jumped 107 feet to qualify for the Century Club

In 1963 the club was named the Host Club for the 1963 AWSA National Water Ski Tournament at Memorial Beach. Ron Cardin an Bob Harris were co-chairmen of the Host Committee. Ray Blair was Tournament Director. The town offically renamed Ben's Cove to Nipmuc Cove in honor of the club. A cavalcade was used to promote the tournament and traveled all over New England. A new Century Resorter was raffled off to help defray expenses. This was the first AWSA sponsored national tournament that made a profit. Jackie Lynch represented the club as a competitor in the Nationals.

The club continued to host regional tournaments and ski-shows throughout the 1960s with club memberships toping out at 160 members. With Construction of Route 52, and a new access road for Union Point - the Club moved from Snug Harbor to it's present location on Thompson Road in 1968

More History Coming Soon!!!