WHILE swimming pool activities are still banned in Malaysia, the water skiers are relieved to be allowed back on the water.
That is because water skiing is classified as an open water activity, which is permitted by the government, to resume its activities following the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).
Malaysians can't have any activities in swimming pools yet but are allowed to swim in the sea or in lakes as it is open water.
And the Malaysian Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (MWWF) are glad that the dry spell is finally over.
MWWF head coach Hanifah Yoong thanked the authorities for allowing water skiing to recommence operations and training.
"The three months of stoppage has been devastating to our sport but it couldn't be helped as the coronavirus pandemic affected the whole world," said Hanifah yesterday.
"Our ski site in Putrajaya was closed even before the MCO was announced as we didn't want to risk our participants' safety since the infection rate was high at that time."
Hanifah said the national water skiers can't wait to resume training as they prepare for two major events — the World Junior Championships and World Under-21 championships next year.
"There is also the Asian Championships in South Korea in September that could still proceed as planned."
The world juniors was initially scheduled to be held in Florida, United States, on Aug 18-23 but has been postponed to Aug 14-21 next year while the Asian Championships will take place in Chuncheon, South Korea on Sept 1-6.
Water skiing sensation Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah and the other national skiers are eager to return to training at the Putrajaya lake from June 15 after a three-month absence due to the MCO.
Aaliyah, who won one gold and two silver at the Junior Moomba in Melbourne in March, is certainly eager to return to action.
"I'm very excited to get back on the water soon after a three-month stoppage," said the 16-year-old.
"It's been a tough period but I've mostly kept myself busy doing schoolwork since I still have classes online.
"I've also kept myself relatively fit by working out and by skateboarding. Skateboarding did help compensate for the lack of water skiing in the last few months as some aspects of it, such as balancing, could be applied to water skiing.
"But nothing beats getting back on the water and making up for the time that we've lost," added Aaliyah who won three gold in the 2017 Sea Games.