Jim Clunie

Jim Clunie

Inducted 2008 - Athletics

Jim leaped to international acclaim in the sport of water skiing. As a jump specialist, Clunie was a member of the National Team, competed at many prestigious tournaments, and acquired many notable awards and achievements, including:

• Highest rated water ski jumper in Saskatchewan from l981-1999

• Saskatchewan waterskiing Male Athlete of the Year from l985-1999 and member of Saskfirst Water Ski Team from l987-l996

• Competed in twelve Western Canadian Championships, winning seven gold, six silver and five bronze medals.

• Won eight gold, three silver and three bronze medals in fifteen National Championships

• In l992, at the Moomba Masters in Australia, he became one of the few jumpers in the world to ever break the 200 foot barrier, retiring with a career-best jump of more than 213 feet

• In l995 the Kipabiskau Water Sports Club held a Jim Clunie Appreciation Day and erected a sign in his honour at the park entrance

Jim’s contributions extended beyond the water.

• Named athlete representative on the Canadian Olympic Association for Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada in l997

• Served as an athlete liaison on Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada’s board of directors from l995-l996, as well as various other committees

• Founding member of the Professional Jumpers International Association

• Coached Saskatchewan water skiers at a training academy he operated in Florida then returned home every year to coach young skiers and promote the sport at an annual water skiing clinic

• Vice-president of competition for the Saskatchewan Water Ski Association in l999-2000 as well as Chief of Competition and organizer of the 2000 Saskatchewan provincial water skiing championships

Beyond his titles as an athlete and committee member, Jim has bestowed a level of respect, determination and integrity on the sport. His coaches, team mates and other international athletes refer to him as “the little man with a big heart.”