Ski for Life participants hope to save lives, one kilometre at a time
Waterskiers have departed Murray Bridge on their annual 450km trek to Renmark along the River Murray.
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Every year, over the March long weekend, Daniel Clifford, his family and friends jump on a boat and ski more than 450 kilometres.
It’s an epic trek up the River Murray from Murray Bridge to Renmark, but their team – the Aces – has done it seven or eight times now.
After all, it might save a life.
The Ski for Life aims to raise awareness of mental health issues, and promote wellbeing and suicide prevention.
The hundreds who take part every year are united not only by a love of waterskiing, but in many cases by the weight of experience: having lost a loved one to suicide, or survived dark times themselves.
“Everyone has a connection,” Mr Clifford said on Friday morning.
“We had a mate that passed due to suicide in their early 20s.”
He signed up to do Ski for Life in 2013, its second year; he and his wife later moved to Murray Bridge, and now team up with mates from here and Whyalla every year.
“It’s a good cause … and it’s good fun,” he said.
Hundreds of participants swarmed along the riverfront at Sturt Reserve as the sun rose on Friday, queueing for bacon and eggs cooked by the Mobilong Rotary Club or listening to beats by 5MU’s breakfast team.
Standby spokeswoman Leah Colman urged everyone to maintain that sense of community throughout what would be an emotional event: “It’s really important you talk to someone, anyone”.
Murray Bridge Deputy Mayor Andrew Baltensperger hoped Ski for Life would foster a spirit of care and support in the communities it visited.
This year’s event represented a triumphant return for organisers – they were forced to cancel last year’s due to the River Murray floods.
- More information: Visit www.skiforlife.com.au or follow Ski for Life on Facebook or Instagram.
- Get help: In an emergency, call 000. For support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. For support after the loss of a loved one, call Standby on 1300 727 247 or Silent Ripples on 0417 741 888 or 0429 017 858.
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