Skiers from all over the state competed this weekend in the 2009 Georgia State Water Ski Championships in Forsyth.

Around 80 people competed this year at the Southern Waters community. They splashed around in three different events: slalom, tricks and jumps.

Hayleigh Blair started skiing at 2 years old. Now the 9-year-old competes in slalom and tricks at the event. This year, she hopes to beat her personal best score.

"You can ring a bell, and just ring it all you want," said Hayleigh Blair.

In slalom, she has to go through a maze of buoys as the boat's speeds up or as the rope gets shorter but she prefers to do tricks.

"Its easier to me because you get to just play around but in slolam it's serious because you have to turn around the buoys and its very hard," said Hayleigh Blair.

Hayleigh's dad, tournament coordinator, Robert Blair says this year's competition has greater expectations for the family.

"There is a lot of pressure because its in your backyard and you have to do well," sair Robert Blair.

But he says its about the bigger picture.

"We have a tremendous junior development party and a ski organization. 50% of our participants were juniors," said Robert Blair.

He says organizers picked the event at Southern Waters because people share a passion for the sport. Any revenue collected is an added bonus.

"It's about passing the legacy down to the children," said Richard Blair.

For Hayley, the thrills and spills of getting into the water means one thing.

"And I do it because I get to win trophies but even if not I am still happy," said Robert Blair.

Winning or not, Hayley say she's proud to achieve a new personal best score.

Event organizers say any money collected through entry fees goes to the junior skiiers for training and equipment. Winners from this weekend's contest take part in the Southeast Regional Championship and can move on to the nationals later this year.