Robinson chasing after family record

Colin Robinson wasn't born with water skis on his feet.

It just seems that way.

Robinson, 13, has been water skiing most of his life and is one of the most accomplished competitors in the sport in the Southeast.

But when your last name is Robinson and your father, Michael, 47, and older brother Shane, 18, are among the state's top water skiers as well, a lot is expected of you when you are on a pair of skis.

Robinson is hoping to put his own mark on the record books this weekend during The Trophy Lakes 4th of July Pro-Am Slalom Tournament on Johns Island.

Shane Robinson, 18, holds the state record for the 10-14 boys division for negotiating 3 1/2 buoys with a 43-foot long rope. Competitors start with six buoys and make a series of runs between them with increasingly shorter ropes until they fall or fail to negotiate the turns.

Colin, who is coached by his father, as well as Matt Dubon and Austin Abel at Trophy Lakes, is hoping to get four buoys under his belt this weekend and thus break the family record.

"I definitely think he's got a shot," said Abel. "He's a very gifted skier. He has a very calm demeanor when he's on the water. We like to say Colin is patiently aggressive. He's always moving, but he never rushes things. He has a real understanding of the sport. His brain processes things quicker and better than most people. That's why he's so successful."

Colin, who is ranked second in the Southeast Region and fifth nationally, might be limited this weekend with a sore back, his father said.

"He's been training hard," Michael Robinson said. "If it wasn't for his back, I would think the chances of him setting the record were pretty good. It's tough to say what his chances are now."

If Robinson doesn't set the mark this weekend, he will have two more shots in the Southern Regional later this month in Paducah, Ky., and at the U.S. National Water Ski Championships in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug 11.