150 years of pond skim

Gather ‘round folks as we tell you the story of the first National Pond Skim Championships. The Mt Buller Pond Skim is steeped in history and while it is now a massive party full of fun, we thought it was time to tell you where it all started…

In 1873 at Mt Buller, brothers Otis and Neville Fairweather were scouting for gold sites in early spring when they came upon Chalet Creek. Unable to cross the vast mass of water, they pulled ironbark planks off the side of their wagon and strapped them to their feet with plaited rope, thinking they could walk across the water. Otis attempted to cross first and got his grey pantaloons drenched as he sank to the bottom of the freezing creek by the bank. Taking heed of his brother’s waterlogged clothing, Neville thought he needed more oompf to start. He smoothed out a sliding ramp of snow on the leeside, walked 10m up and slid down towards the water on his woody planks. He too got dripping wet pantaloons as he sank to the bottom of the creek, notably further from the bank than Otis.

Otis, being a competitive soul, decided he could do better but just needed a bigger take off ramp. Rather than walking the two feet to the otherside, now that he was wet, he wanted another attempt to show Neville he could do better. He added more height to the ramp and walked 20m up the hill. As he was about to take off, Harold Twodads and Alma Shortknee rode up on their steads. “Fair gentlemen, what hath ye got doing over yonder?” yelled Alma.

Otis demonstrated as he launched off the ski jump. He skimmed like a bird landing on the water until he sank in the middle of the creek. Harold shouted, “Alma, ye are far more adept-eth in sporting pursuits. Show us how to do it."

“Tips up!” was the cry as she took off from the ski jump and soared through the crisp spring air. Her hand grabbed the tail of the ironbark plank as she spinned 360 until she descended and landed smoothly on the water surface, gliding to the far side of the creek.

“Huzzah” cried all the men as Alma stepped off her planks and flicked them up to rest on her shoulder, still dry to the bone right to the tip of her leather lace up boots.

Alma taking her friends to the second annual Pond Skim at Mt Buller

From that day, the Pond Skim National Championships was begunneth and has run every year in spring since. The locals joined the Federation International de Pond Skim (FIPS) to acquire international recognition for their serious skillz.

See more details to plan your entry into the 150th year of Mt Buller Pond Skim.