One of the major players in Wake Sports on the Island is the Sproat Lake Water Sports Association (also known as Sproat Lake Ski Club). Every year they put on a number of events, from clinics to competitions. And every year a vote is made for a new club president. This year we have the pleasure of hearing from the new prez, Kris McNichol. I’ve personally had the privilege of knowing Kris for a few years now and enjoy spending time on the lake with him. His knowledge, leadership and energetic qualities will be great assets to the club’s future.
Mr. McNichol, tell everyone a little about yourself?
Kris – Well I own a few companies, CPI Pumps and Irrigation, Climax Roofing and Halien Dive Shop all located in Parksville. I have three daughters ages 16,14 and 10. We are a very busy family with wakeboarding, fastball, volleyball and snowboarding.
How long you been a member of the club?
Kris – I’m going on my third year at
Sproat Lake Water Association
Why did you join?
Kris – We have a pretty active family which loves all sports and I knew a couple people who where involved at the lake and thought it would be a great fit for my family and I. It’s been 3 years now and I have loved every minute of it. When you have approximately 40 families all part of a club that have a greater goal in teaching and passing on what they have learned in water sports to new and younger people, you can’t get better than that.
Were you nominated to become prez or did you volunteer?
Kris – I was nominated and gratefully accepted. I think when you’re a part of a club it’s always a good thing to get involved and leave your mark, as they say. I will try and do the best job as I can and hope that I’m half as good as the past Presidents that I have followed.
Is there anything new and exciting you would like to see happen at the club for 2012?
Kris – Well, we are hosting the Provincials again this year Aug 17-19. I hope the weather turns out great and it’s a huge success. Also we are in the process of maybe adding to are jumps/kickers etc… With any luck everyone will be able to ride something new this year!!
How are you going to handle being prez of the club and head of security in the event of a competition?
Kris – (lol) Well, I hope I do a better job of being the president than I did at being head of security last year. You know on the serious side, we host a tournament every year and we have a lot of fun, but there always seems to be a handful of people that want to wreck it. I don’t get it because there used to be sand castles in Parksville and it was excellent until a handful of people wrecked it, so there is no sand castles. I grew up over on the mainland and there used to be Peachfest until a handful of people wrecked it, and it got cancelled. You go to Game 7 of a hockey game and what happens there?? The people who are getting robbed of fun are the young people. I’ve been to Peachfest, I’ve been to the sand castles I’ve been to those places before a handful of people wrecked it,and it was a lot of fun. So the only thing I can say is have fun but don’t wreck a good thing……I’ll leave it that.
With all the boat issues with the club boat over last year do you see a new boat in the future?
Kris – Well, honestly, I know there were a few issues with the boat but nothing was very major. I hope the boat lasts a few years more so we can concentrate on other issues before we buy a new boat, but man does the new X-Stars look good!!! MasterCraft you can thank me later for the free plug. Haha