Mid North duo conquer 456km ski for Mental Health
Farrell Flat teen, Ella Hoyle, has traded horse reins for ski ropes – conquering the 456-kilometre Ski for Life journey along the Murray River.
The annual charity event is a three-day water skiing relay from Murray Bridge to Renmark, shining a light on mental health and raising funds to support regional communities in their initiatives to promote well-being and suicide prevention.
Each year, there’s a determined bunch of overachievers, who set out to put their own physical and mental stamina to the test, by tackling the entire 456 kilometres.
At 15, Ella Hoyle is described as a “pretty determined sort of character”. The Clare High student only made the switch from competitive horse riding to water skiing just over 12 months ago, when her parents, Jamie Hoyle and Sam Parker purchased a boat. She leapt from the saddle to skis seamlessly – upright and well balanced, just with a different form of horsepower.
Skiing beside her was 46-year-old teammate, Adam Bruce from Spalding, also putting his body to the test to take on the full Ski for Life course. For Adam, the river has become his “happy place”, a place to momentarily escape life’s pressures. The past year hit close to home as he supported his own child through a mental health struggle, adding deeper meaning to this year’s event.
Their Mid North team, “Send It,” managed to raise about $7,000 for the cause, and Adam’s commitment was bolstered by some charitable auction purchases during the event. He secured the winning bid for a very special piece of memorabilia – a table crafted by one of Ski For Life’s founding members, Gordon Gourlay. He also got his hands on a lifelong memento for Ella, waiting until the determined teen had almost finished her mission, to present her with a Ski For Life Guernsey, featuring the Murray River course map and the magic number, 456.
Looking ahead to next year’s event, Adam’s considering upping the game even more, challenging Ella to join him in tackling the ski from Murray Bridge to Renmark unassisted – relying solely on arm strength!
To make a donation or find out how you can be involved in Ski For Life, click here.
