Portugal - Ski Clube Quinta Grande - vision and follow-through

João Paulo (Jean Paul) has a beaming smile.  It’s Saturday afternoon at Ski Clube Quinta Grande and he is surrounded by his family and some of the top skiers in Europe.  There are six countries represented here today including: Portugal, France, Spain, Italy Norway and Latvia.

He takes me into the house and shows me some very important photos and memorabilia.  A black and white photo of a strong looking skier in 1959 – his Father . The Simeos family are synonymous with Water skiing in Portugal.  Jean Paul explains.  "We used to ski together at a place called Cascais Bay.  I calculated how much I spent on the family about water skiing..."  (interesting he calculated this in hours rather than dollars).  “...I thought, if I invest some time and money into something that will make this more efficient and pay back then why not.”

One thing you learn very quickly about the Simoes is that they never stand still.  I have been here for a week and see that same trait in 3 generations of them. 

 

So Jean Paul, his two sons and daughter got to work.  They invested in part of an old farm (4000 hectares) as part of a trust.  There was a road being moved after large flooding in the mid 1990's  where one of the large rice fields flooded.  He saw this chance with the earth moving equipment and trucks that were brought in for the road.  Over the space of 3 months in 1996 they built the lake - 100m wide, 700m long and 1.5m deep.  And so Ski Clube Quinta Grande was born. 

Even then, Jean Paul would not have imagined he would be where he is today.  His son Francisco

picked up the mantle and (almost) single handily has turned his Father’s vision into a very well run and exceptional ski school that breeds champions.

Today the weather is good.  Francisco is relieved – this is the weekend of one of the European ski championships at the lake and he has over 30 skiers from 5 different countries competing. 

The Simoes family is strongly represented in the Portuguese team – with Jean Pauls 6 grandchildren in attendance and 5 of them skiing. 

Jean Paul closes the photo album having shown me the photos of the club and lake being established.  He is off to say hello to the many skiers who appreciate him as the patriarch of this place and to give his son some words of encouragement.

Francisco is both energetic, strong and humble.  He is a champion himself and, Jean Paul let’s me into a secret ‘if you can trick ski, you learn balance, the rest, slalom and jump come easier.  That’s why I put my focus into getting them to learn trick.”

Francisco and Marta Simeos -

There a photos on the club house wall of Andy Mapple (Water skiing’s legend) with his arm around Franciso at one of the events.  There’s the many trophies and cups and a poster of the Under 21 2013 European Champion – Francisco’s daughter Marta. 

This place just goes to show what vision and follow-through can result in.

There is a family atmosphere here – even among all of the competitors (some of which have been coming here for over 10 years to be coached by Francisco).  Each one of these competitors has a smile on their face, a determined look in their eye – and will be back again next year.

Ski Clube Quinta Grande is a special place made, maintained and used by some very special people.  Good luck for the World's next year Marta!