Seven straight days of wet and wild action will take place November 14 through November 20 when Chapala’s Boca Laguna ski club hosts the 2016 Pan American Water Ski Championships. Top-notch competitors from Canada, the United States, Mexico and other countries, including a number of world and national champions, are lined up for the event. 

The teams will appear in an inaugural parade Wednesday, November 16, 7 p.m., along Chapala’s Avenida Madero.

The initial phase of competition takes place Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m., concentrating the Under-13 and Under-17 Junior and Over-35 and Over-45 Senior age categories in male and female divisions. Spectators are offered free entry to the grounds on those days. 

The adrenaline pumps up Friday through Sunday for the matchup between Under-21 and Open Elite teams. Admission for the public is 100 pesos for adults, 50 pesos for children. Proceeds will be channeled to Fundación Nice for the acquisition of an electrical transformer for Chapala’s Municipal Clinic and programs benefiting the underprivileged.

“It’s great to be back here,” remarked Canada’s team coach Steve Bush during this week’s announcement of the championship program.  He qualified Boca Laguna as one of the best skiing venues in the world due to the design of its artificial lake, the excellent local weather and great wind for jumping contests.  

Boca Laguna was the site for water ski competition in the 2011 Pan American Games and the recent Mexico National Championship. The facility is located at Kilometer 4.5 on the Chapala-Mezcala highway, just past the turn-off to Santa Cruz de la Soledad.