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NMMA Reports U.S. Boat Sales Reached 13-Year High In 2020
The NMMA reported today that retail unit sales of new powerboats in the U.S. increased last year by an estimated 12 percent compared to 2019. More than 310,000 new powerboats were sold in 2020, levels the recreational boating industry has not seen since before the Great Recession in 2008. Read more
The NMMA reported today that retail unit sales of new powerboats in the U.S. increased last year by an estimated 12 percent compared to 2019. More than 310,000 new powerboats were sold in 2020, levels the recreational boating industry has not seen since before the Great Recession in 2008. Read more
News from USA Water Ski & Wake Sports
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Please consider supporting USA Water Ski & Wake Sports
Click on Logo to go directly to their website,
or go directly to their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/USAWaterski/
The American Water Ski Association’s Technical Controllers and Drivers committees are recommending the use of Sure-Path (automation boat tracker) in all 2021 Class L/R tournaments (this will be required in 2022 by the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation).
- All the data can be integrated in the scoring program (WSTIMS), real time data
- Eliminate upload EC Video (saving hours of work)
Note: All EC Data (Sure-Path data or Video) will be required to be uploaded prior to any scores being posted in 2021 within 7 days
- Eliminate any issue/questions after the tournament
- Automatic approval of national slalom records
Several States have Free RTK Network Base stations (virtual base-station, which should work anywhere within your state) (VRS/Imax/Max), other states/counties have free Single Base Station, which must be within 6 miles from the site. So, check in your state/county for Free RTK Base-station. Example of a few: FL (FDOT), AL, KY, NY, CA.
If you have any general questions, please contact Will Bush or Jerry Jackson.
For ordering Sure-Path or specific questions, go to the Sure-Path Website: Home - Sure-Path GPS Boat Lane Tracking.
- All the data can be integrated in the scoring program (WSTIMS), real time data
- Eliminate upload EC Video (saving hours of work)
Note: All EC Data (Sure-Path data or Video) will be required to be uploaded prior to any scores being posted in 2021 within 7 days
- Eliminate any issue/questions after the tournament
- Automatic approval of national slalom records
Several States have Free RTK Network Base stations (virtual base-station, which should work anywhere within your state) (VRS/Imax/Max), other states/counties have free Single Base Station, which must be within 6 miles from the site. So, check in your state/county for Free RTK Base-station. Example of a few: FL (FDOT), AL, KY, NY, CA.
If you have any general questions, please contact Will Bush or Jerry Jackson.
For ordering Sure-Path or specific questions, go to the Sure-Path Website: Home - Sure-Path GPS Boat Lane Tracking.
ULM Mourns Loss Of Water Ski Coach Nov. 05, 2020, 3:21 p.m. (ET)
USA Water Ski & Wake Sports is saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Woodgate, the University of Louisiana Monroe water ski team’s head coach, on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Originally from Boroughbridge, England, Woodgate, 28, was named head coach of the perennial national champion water ski team in May 2019.
Prior to being named head coach, he served as a graduate assistant for the team and kinesiology department. Woodgate earned his M.S. in Exercise Science in May 2020.
The ULM water ski team will celebrate Michael’s life with a potluck gathering at the Bayou on Friday, Nov. 6 from 1 to 5 p.m.
USA Water Ski & Wake Sports is saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Woodgate, the University of Louisiana Monroe water ski team’s head coach, on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Originally from Boroughbridge, England, Woodgate, 28, was named head coach of the perennial national champion water ski team in May 2019.
Prior to being named head coach, he served as a graduate assistant for the team and kinesiology department. Woodgate earned his M.S. in Exercise Science in May 2020.
The ULM water ski team will celebrate Michael’s life with a potluck gathering at the Bayou on Friday, Nov. 6 from 1 to 5 p.m.
“Banana” George Event Makes A Splash In Return
By Betsy Gilman | Nov. 02, 2020, 10:58 a.m. (ET)
Every once in a while… "Going Bananas" is a good thing!
Everyone could feel the spirit of “Banana” George Blair on Oct. 24 and 25 at Lake Silver in Winter Haven, Fla., as the tournament George started many years ago made a comeback.
It had been several years since the “Banana” George Blairfoot Bananza had been held, and the American Barefoot Club’s Southern Regional Director, Mikey Caruso, thought it was time for a “Bananza Intervention.”
“It just had to happen,” says Caruso, a former Junior Barefoot World Champion and member of the 2020 U.S. Elite Barefoot Water Ski Team. “We had to do it for George and everyone who loves him.”
More than 40 barefoot water skiers ranging in age from 7 to 80 years old gathered at a safe, social distance to celebrate the memory of George and ski in the two-day Figure 8 and Endurance Tournament.
But it wasn’t just about barefooting, the two-day event raised $4,000 for The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation’s Banana George Blair Ambassador College Scholarship. A check was presented to USA-WWF Scholarship Administrator Jeff Clark at the tournament Saturday night.
If you are a college-age water sports athlete… APPLY HERE for the “Banana” George Ambassador Scholarship and other Foundation Scholarships.
If you would like to donate to the scholarship fund, contact Jeff Clark at scholarshipadmin@waterskihalloffame.com or make a donation HERE.
Winners received a super cool trophy, a Masterline Ski Handle and amazing framed photos from George Blair’s Office donated and presented by Donna Blair, who also helped sponsor the tournament! Donna also gave every competitor a copy of the “Banana” George book by Karen Putz.
George’s Great-Granddaughter, Hayleigh Blair, helped present the awards and even participated in the Boom Division!
View the complete recap with photos.
Thanks to our sponsors: Visit Central Florida/Polk County Sports Marketing, Delray Beach Executive Suites, Joanne Blair, Donna Blair, Georgia Blair, Carrie Blair, Robin Blair, Ted Blair, John Cornish, Masterline, Celcius, ABC Southern Region, Just Add Water Media, American Barefoot Club, World Barefoot Center, Patrick & Charlotte Stewart, Don Stoppe, The Jersey Boys, Bob Swanbom and Adrienne Rundell.
Massive thanks to Hank Longo, Chief Judge Justin Landers, Boat Wrangler Don Simon, Chief Driver Ben Groen, Announcer Jared “The Golden Voice of Water Skiing” Lippelgoos, Chief Safety Char Portman, Bracket Men Al Hager and John Friede, COVID Sanitation Officer Deanna Dean, Ice Man Chuck Bender and Chief Registrar Alyx Matheny!
And of course, The Bananza Committee: Chuck Bender, Mikey Caruso, Tim Collette, Deanna Dean, Ted Eisenstat, John Gillette, Betsy Gilman, Ben Groen, Al Hager, Justin Landers, Marty Levine, Jared Lippelgoos, Rob Scott, Don Simon, Steve Shannon, Lance Smith and Bruce Walter.