Written by Canadian Sport News    
Monday, 22 February 2010 16:30 
OTTAWA – Waterski and Wakeboard Canada announced its five inductees into its Hall of Fame. They are the late Greg Athans of Kelowna, B.C., Lisa Long of Clarksburg, Ont., and her late father Wally Sokolowski, Louis Simard of Montreal and Rob Bocock of Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Que.

Athans came from one of Canada’s most successful sporting families. His father George was an Olympic diver, his mother a world record holding synchronized swimmer while his brothers George Jr., and Gary were on the national water skiing and alpine skiing teams respectively. Greg Athans won 15 national water skiing titles and was also a star in freestyle skiing. He was the first athlete to win gold at both a summer and winter Canada Games.

“It’s a really nice reminder of all his success,” said George Athans Jr. “We’re all involved in sport because we enjoyed it but it’s always nice to be recognized for your achievements. Greg had the single-minded ability to pursue his goals and to achieve whatever he wanted regardless of the obstacles. It was amazing to see and he leaves quite a legacy.”

Lisa Long (formerly Sokolowski) was one of Canada’s top water skiers in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. She was a national team member from 1978 to 1982 and compiled numerous record performances. The overall champion at the 1975 Canada Games she also won nine national titles and held Canadian juvenile records in slalom and tricks.

“I’m surprised but very honoured,” said Long. “The sport really formed who I am. It gave me so many wonderful experiences at a young age. I met wonderful people and travelled extensively. I always carried those experiences with me.”

Louis Simard is currently president of the Federation quebecoise de ski nautique. Over his 40+ years in the sport he has been involved in all aspects including founding clubs, organizing national championships and judging. He is still a record breaking competitor recently setting national marks for his age group in barefoot water skiing for slalom and endurance.

“It’s a great honour and accomplishment to be inducted,” said Simard. “There are numerous highlights for me. The sport allowed me to meet people from around the world who shared the same passion for water skiing as I did. I was able to witness some great athletic performances throughout the years especially by our Canadian athletes through my involvement in the sport.’’

Rob Bocock made his mark in numerous facets of the sport. As a competitor he won 12 national titles between 1963 and 1993 and was a national team and world championship team member. He was also the first Canadian to earn more than 2,000 points for a tricks routine. As an administrator he was director of the Canadian Water Ski Association, a national team coach and Water Ski Canada’s chief boat driver in the 1970’s at which time he also became involved in distributing and supplying boats.

“It’s nice to be recognized after being involved in the sport for so man years,’’ said Bocock. ‘’I enjoyed my competitive career and then I became interested in the mechanical and driving side of it with the boats. It required a lot of time commitment and long hours on the road but it was fun.’’

Wally Sokolowski, Lisa’s father, played a key role in the development of water skiing in the 1940’s and 1950’s. He was the Ontario Water Ski Association’s executive director from 1971 to 1995, operated clubs in Welland and Claireville and built jumps and designed slalom courses across the province.

“He was a great man and contributed so much to water skiing,” said his daughter Lisa. “What I remember most is his total commitment to seeing water skiing evolve. He wanted it to stay strong and his passion for the sport was infectious. To be inducted at the same time as him is really special.”