Over the years we have all sorts of top athletes and coaches stop by as our guests, to attend our competitions or just to go for a rip. Charley Patterson (left), Chad Sharpe (below, right), Randy Harris, Steve Wahlman and Chase Heavener have all hung out and lent a hand at one time or another. Even National Team Coach Steve Bush has wheeled his motorhome around to the North Shuswap.

Head coach, Mike Gazley, says "Our staff and guest coaches are chosen based on their ability to help students learn, have fun and make coming to school an unforgettable experience. The fact that they tend to be fairly entertaining and are a blast to watch is just the icing on the cake."

Owner and head coach, Mike Gazley (pictured below skiing), is an internationally recognized coach, competitor, driver and official. Certified through Canada's National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) many years ago, Mike is now a key contributor to the coaching manuals used by the NCCP for waterskiing and wakeboarding. After summers of conducting Travelling Clinics throughout BC for the BC Water Ski Association Mike decided it was time to spend less time on the road and more

time on the water, with a permanent site for his coaching. Having spent many enjoyable hours on beautiful, Shuswap Lake, he could think of no better place to call home.

As an active competitor, Mike is sponsored by Blindside, KD, LA Ski, Moose Juice, O'Neill, and Nautique competition tow boats. He has coached, competed and officiated in Canada, the US and Australia. Also a Past-President of the BCWSA, he has been formally recognized for outstanding contribution to the sport. Mike frequently writes articles on training, coaching and equipment for waterski.ca magazine. His knowledge and writing skills have also been put to work as a significant contributor to the NCCP water skiing and wakeboarding coaching manuals. You could say he's writing the book on teaching towed water sports. Having taught hundreds of first-timers, coached national champions, and consulted to industry, there are few individuals better qualified to help people improve their water skiing or wakeboarding, in a safe and fun filled environment.

Senior Instructor - Jeremy Mathews, Jeremy Matthews has been around the water his whole life. Spending time at the family cabin on Mara since he was born , Jeremy knows the sweet spots to ride all over the lake. As a member of the Alberta waterski team from 1991 to 1998 Jeremy competed in numerous Western Canadian and National Championships. He is a proficient slalom, trick and jump coach, however his greatest love is wakeboarding. After receiving his first wakeboard in 1994 as a grad present he immediately took to the feel of riding sideways. He has competed in every Wakeboard Nationals since 1997, and has been ranked in the top 10 in Canada since that time. He was also the organizer of the 2001 Canadian Wakeboard Championships in Calgary. A nationally certified waterski and wakeboard coach, Jeremy has been the head coach of the Alberta wakeboard team since 2000, as well as serving on the board of directors for Waterski Alberta. Jeremy has been coaching for 10 years and along with his brother Jason ran their own ski & board school in Alberta, in past years.

Now 25, Jeremy is a veteran in the watersports world. He has ridden and coached with some of the best wakeboarders and waterskiers in the world and brings with him a wealth of experience. Jeremy has an outgoing and positive coaching style which has earned him a great reputation throughout the industry.

Jeremy is sponsored by O'Brien Wakeboards, Arnette Sunglasses, Scorpion Ropes and BMG Sports Canada.

Instructor - Corey Liston, grew up in Peterborough Ontario and started water-skiing at her cottage near Bancroft at age twelve. Her love of skiing lead her parents to send her to Camp Can-Aqua where she could receive some coaching and have access to better equipment. It was here that Corey first successfully skied the course and eventually went on to become water-ski staff. For the past two summers Corey has been instructing water-skiing and wakeboarding at Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka with the company Water Skis Etc.

Although Corey has enjoyed opportunities to learn how to wakeboard, barefoot and jump she remains dedicated to slalom and like many others loves the continuous challenge of the course. Corey is making her second journey to BC for this summer and is excited about joining the crew in Shuswap at their new location. Mike says he is especially please at a bit more gender equity and at having another keen slalom skier around.

Instructor - Ian Leew, has spent every summer since 1986 at Mara lake with his family and friends. He received his first wakeboarding coaching from Mike and Charley Patterson during one of Shuswap Ski & Board's camps, in 1998 when he landed his first invert. He got hooked and his riding took off from there. He graduated from Western Canada High school in 2001 and plans to attend University pursuing a degree in Kinesiology the fall of 2001. Ian is also an avid snowboarder with 30+ days on the mountain this year and has also been very active in hockey competing at the AAA level.

Ian is spending six weeks at the World Wakeboard Center this spring to further his riding and coaching skills. He will also attend spring training with Mike on beautiful Shasta Lake, in California. Ian is working on his certification and will take an active roll at the Shuswap Waterski and Wakeboard Center, both on the water and in the Pro Shop. He is a personable and happy guy who loves every aspect of Wakeboarding.

Guests Coaches and other staff, discussions are under way with several potentially great additions but, based on last year, I hesitate to talk about things without a done deal in hand. We are still shooting for a couple of guest Pros, like our pals Chad Sharpe and Jeff Heer, and are pleased to have added a gal to the Shuswap Ski & Board team!