The Southern 80 has evolved over many years to become the world class event it is today. Initially Echuca hosted a marathon event held over 522 miles in 1964. In 1965 it was divided into two events; the Murray Ski Marathon over 500 miles as well as a shorter 100 mile race. That year the race even attracted two air boats which could power through shallow water at up to 60mph and on flat land for short distances.

In 1974 the Moama Water Sports Club was formed.  By 1975 the event was named the Southern 80 Ski Trial, was held in February for the first time and 47 teams were entered. The event was well established by 1981 when 103 teams took part with one of the competing teams consisting of six year old Aaron Johnson and eleven year old Brett Sands.  The Memorial trophy for the outright winner is presented in memory of Aaron's father Leigh. Brett Sands has since represented Australia on many occasions winning gold at the World Barefoot titles in 1996 and runs a barefoot school just out of Moama.

By 1983 the event was getting pretty serious with the honours going to $50,000 "Aquaholic" which was beaten the following year by a mere .06/sec by stoic campaigner the now lat Ted Hurley. The 35 minute barrier was broken by Island Cooler in '89 and again in driving rain in 1990. The 34 minute barrier was smashed in 1992 by Thundernuts towing 17 year olds Brett Dominguez and Steve Morley.

Although the Southern 80 has grown bigger and faster it is still a family affair with classes for everyone from the under 10 Tadpoles to the over 40 Veterans. The Southern 80 has evolved to become one of the world's greatest ski races ... and it's a lot of fun.