The 2020 Nationals was originally scheduled for Aug. 4-8 at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, Fla., however, the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches decided to pull out as the local organizing club due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on South Florida.
The nation’s top water ski athletes will compete for national titles in slalom, tricks, jumping and overall in respective age divisions and two Open divisions during the five-day tournament.
Advancement to the world’s largest three-event water ski tournament is primarily earned through placement on the national rankings list. Athletes also can qualify by placing in the top-five in the previous year’s event or at respective 2020 regional championships.
The first national championships was held in 1939 at Jones Beach in Long Island, N.Y. Except for three years during World War II (1942-1944), the Nationals has been held every year since 1939.
GOODE Skis, a National level sponsor of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports, has been the title sponsor since 2000.
More information on the Nationals, including a revised schedule of events, will be posted at www.usawaterski.org in the coming weeks as it becomes available.
A message from Greg Meloon, President of Nautique Boat Company:
I hope this finds all of you and your families safe and healthy. On March 19th, we announced the postponement of the 61st Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament® based upon health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nautique Boat Company truly cares about your health and well-being. We continue to stay informed and are in close contact with local, state and federal officials to help guide us in making informed decisions regarding the Masters Tournament.
In cooperation with Callaway Resort & Gardens, the IWWF and the WWA, Nautique Boat Company has selected August 28-30th, as the projected dates to host the 2020 Nautique® Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament® presented by GM Marine Engine TechnologyTM. As additional details are disclosed in the upcoming months, we will continue to focus on all mandated guidelines and safety measures to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
I would like to thank all of you for being extremely patient with us, as we navigate this fluid situation. We understand the effects of these announcements, and the impact they may have on spectators, sponsors and athletes alike. Additional information will be made available on www.masterswaterski.com as more information becomes available.
Again, your patience is appreciated as we plan for the 61st Masters Tournament this August.
Regards,
Greg Meloon
President
Nautique Boat Company, Inc.
Introducing Fullwake. Your no-nonsense approach to lake-life apparel and style. Fullwake is the official apparel of lake-life. Fullwake LLC & Fullwake.com were created and arrived online in April 2020. Fullwake currently offers a wide array of apparel products consisting of mens, womens, youth and kids sizes. Some of the most popular categories include t-shirts, hoodies, tank-tops, swimwear, hats, and Aquawear. New items arrive online daily.
Fullwake was created by owner Michael Cawcutt in April 2020. Cawcutt, who’s no stranger to water, grew up in Northern Minnesota enjoying all the splendid gifts that lake-life has to offer. Fullwake was created from the very memories he and his wife, Kelly, had with their families while on the water. Some of Michael’s earliest childhood memories are those of water—favorites including his Grandma’s cabin in Northern Wisconsin where he learned how to water-ski at the age of 6. Others include that one time when his family, sleeping aboard their 24-ft Searay Sundancer, started to drift in the middle of an evening thunderstorm on Lake Superior due to the anchor losing its hold. Fullwake, whose mantra of Live. Love. Lake-life is anything but carefree, is deeply rooted in a passion for boating, water, and lake-life.
April 10, 2020, Fullwake.com opened its “doors'' to a bounty of friends, families, and former strangers who are now part of the Fullwake family. In its first 30 days that Fullwake has been open, it’s quickly grown it’s social media presence to 5000 combined followers and has amassed several hundred unique visits a day.
Fullwake’s goal is simple. Treat everyone you meet like you’re on the water. Fullwake proclaims that being on the water or lake-life is something you can't explain—one experiences something magical once you step aboard. Fullwake hopes to capture some of that magic through their passion for great design, helping people, and coming together. Lake-life isn’t a tangible thing that can be shared—it’s an experience. It isn’t a requirement or status that comes along with owning a boat or living on the water. It’s a frame of mind, an escape—a lifestyle. It doesn’t matter where you're going—but what matters are the memories you make along the way. Every Fullwake logo serves as a reminder of the lake-life experience to the growing community of passionate people who live and love lake-life daily.
USA-WSWS Members,I hope everyone has been staying healthy and safe during these unprecedented times. As our communities begin to re-open and get back to some sense of normalcy, USA-WSWS has been working diligently with the USOPC and our Sports Disciplines to create “return to play” guidelines for our sport.First and foremost, the health and safety of our members is our top priority. Our return to play guidelines is meant to provide athletes, coaches and event organizers with best practices and recommendations regarding return to safe water ski activity.Individual water ski activity is considered low risk for COVID-19 transmission; however, the circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly.
Beginning on May 18, 2020, USA-WSWS will resume sanctioned activity for practices, exhibitions, basic skills clinics, and tournaments. It is the responsibility of each club and/or LOC to abide by all public health authorities and local and state government guidelines when determining to host an event in their respective geographic area.
High risk individuals, including older adults and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus and are recommended to avoid sanctioned activity involving groups at this time.
View full USA-WSWS return to play guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding return to play.
In addition, each Sport Discipline will work with USA-WSWS to create additional best practices for their event organizers (e.g. AWSA recommendations for tournament hosts and NSSA Scenarios and FAQ).
We hope to see everyone back on the water soon. #WeAreWaterSkiThanks,
Nate Boudreaux
Executive Director
2020 Spring Season USA Water Ski & Wake Sports pulled all event sanctions up to May 17, 2020. This effectively canceled all Spring NCWSA tournaments. The FSC Collegiate Spring tournament (20U038C) was the only NCWSA Spring tournament to occur prior to the USA-WSWS sanction pull.
Additional Spring Eligibility NCWSA skiers do not use a season of eligibility if they do not ski A-Team. This means the vast majority of our skiers retain the Spring season of eligibility that would have been consumed by Spring 2020 skiing. However, the NCWSA Board of Directors has voted to grant an additional season of Spring eligibility to all skiers that participated in the tournament that featured Florida Southern College and Rollins College skiers in February 2020. The six-year eligibility clock still applies to the consumption of eligibility.
2020 NCWSA All-Stars The Illinois stay at home order was extended to May 30th making NCWSA All-Stars impossible at its current date. Due to the extension as well as the high potential for group size restrictions after the order, the 2020 NCWSA All-Stars tournament is postponed until after June 30th, 2020.
2020 NCWSA Team USA Selection Team USA was set to be selected at Team Trials, but Team Trials was coupled with All-Stars and is now canceled due to team selection needing to occur prior to potential future 2020 NCWSA All-Stars dates. The NCWSA Board of Directors has opted to switch from Team Trials to using rankings for selection. Skiers may read the updated eligibility and deadlines in the Team USA Selection Procedures document. Tournament scores between January 1st, 2019 and June 15th, 2020 will be used in the selection process. Skiers must submit an intent to participate to the NCWSA Chair, Jeff Surdej (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), by May 30, 2020. No minimum scores are required to submit an intent to participate. An intent submission will place you on the list of potential skiers for University Team USA selection based on rankings.
The Rest of 2020 At this time we cannot make any decisions about future NCWSA tournaments from All-Stars' new date through the entire 2020 Fall season. Universities potentially staying online for the Fall term and statewide gathering restrictions are two of the many unknowns in our future. As the season approaches, we will openly communicate any cancellations or alterations as soon as we can.
So for the time being, we figured we’d tickle your imagination with memories of those coveted lake days to help you get through the downtime and get you that much more excited for when the lake days are ours again for the taking.
Stay safe and we’ll see you all real soon!
—Your Connelly Family
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Since our humble beginnings in 1968, MasterCraft has been committed to delivering the best on water experience for you and your family. Today, every MasterCraft is a reflection of that commitment — we are passionate about ensuring your time on the water brings maximum joy.
We recognize the days ahead will be challenging. During this unprecedented time, we will remain true to the very core of our company — providing you and your family with valuable time together.
Our thoughts and hearts go out to those around the world currently impacted. We are confident that by standing together and supporting each other, we'll emerge from this stronger than before.
Boating season is just around the corner, our lakes, rivers and waterways will remain open. We are staying positive during this time and looking forward to spending time with friends and family in a safe environment.
Please stay safe and stay strong,
Your MasterCraft Family
Based on the recent recommendations from the CDC regarding events and large gatherings, and after consultation with our Executive Committee, USOPC leadership and insurance broker, USA Water Ski & Wake Sports has made the decision to suspend all sanctioned competition and activities until May 17, 2020.
With the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19) escalating daily, the need to suspend sanctioned activities is a complicated but necessary resolution to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our members and the public at large.
All events, including tournaments, basic skills clinics and practice/exhibitions, that have been sanctioned through May 17 will have those sanctions removed. Please be aware that without a USA Water Ski & Wake Sports sanction, there are no official tournament scores or insurance coverage for the LOC or participants.
We will continue to monitor the CDC as well as Federal, state and local government for guidance on the Novel COVID-19 Virus. We hope to resume normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so.
As a reminder, all members, volunteers and supporters are encouraged to stay home if they feel sick and should practice good hygiene habits as prescribed by the CDC. This includes refraining from touching your face, thoroughly washing your hands throughout the day, wiping down surfaces, not shaking hands, and practicing good cough and sneeze etiquette.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports.
Nate Boudreaux
Executive Director
With the developing situation affecting businesses everywhere, Bennett’s Water Ski & Wakeboard School are doing our best to operate as normal with group bookings and ski school deals. Still looking to take advantage of our April special? Collegiate skier with a little more time on your hands? Or just want to book short get-away to tri-lakes? Bennett’s will be sure to cater to your needs and keep you out on the water!
Please call Anne Bennett on (225) 938-1498 for more information and pricing information.
In this Winter 2020 edition of SkiTips, I recently had the opportunity to sit down with a guy that I become more impressed with the more I get to know. He runs 39, runs a pro tournament, runs a podcast, and has already psychoanalyzed you in the meantime. For the 1st of my new interview format titled Forthcoming, meet Matteo Luzzeri:
So what's up? You are a pretty busy guy right now.
Hey Pete. Yeah, quite busy at the moment. I was just cleared to defend my dissertation, which will take place on March 12th. Five days later, I am moving back to Italy for good after almost 13 years living in the US. So right now, life is a juggle between boxes and PowerPoint presentations.
Tournament organizer, waterski coach, pro division skier, podcast host, and PhD. What would you like to be most recognized for?
Probably as a strange combination of the first four. Throughout the years, I have always tried to keep my skiing separate from my career. However, after I started the PhD program in Sport Psychology here at Florida State University, the connection between the two sides of my life became stronger. I am trying to be what you could call an ambassador for the sport of water skiing, trying to grow the sport and promote it the best way I can.
But the podcast is consuming the most amount of your time.
I would say it became a strong component of my scheduling. Trying to fit time in for travel, learning equipment, recording, post-production, promotion… I knew it was going to be an adventure when I started, but you always end up underestimating the time commitment.
Read more: Forthcoming: The Matteo Luzzeri Interview by Pete Shoemaker
USA Water Ski & Wake Sports is committed to supporting the health, safety and well-being of our members and the public at large. Regarding the Novel COVID-19 Virus and USA Water Ski & Wake Sports sanctioned events, USA Water Ski & Wake Sports strongly recommends that all sanctioned events scheduled over the next four weeks be canceled or postponed as a public safety measure. Local organizing committees (ski clubs) do have the final say on if an event will proceed. However, USA Water Ski & Wake Sports is advising each host to strongly consider cancelation or postponement.
Members, volunteers, and supporters who feel ill are encouraged to stay at home and not join the large groups of people at events. All members, volunteers and supporters should practice good hygiene habits as prescribed by the CDC. This includes refraining from touching your face, thoroughly washing your hands throughout the day, wiping down surfaces, not shaking hands, and practicing good cough and sneeze etiquette.
The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Executive Committee is closely monitoring the CDC, Federal, and state and local government guidance on the Novel Coronavirus. USA Water Ski & Wake Sports urges all of its members to consult the CDC Coronavirus Disease ( COVID-19) webpage for guidance or more detail on this rapidly evolving situation.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports.
Nate Boudreaux
Executive Director
Due to the rapidly evolving Coronavirus situation, the Goode family has POSTPONED the March 14th Celebration of Life gathering honoring Dave Goode. Details for a rescheduled event will be shared as soon as they are determined.
While the family will miss celebrating Dave's life and legacy with everyone this Saturday, there is no doubt that Dave would not have wanted to endanger the health of his friends and family.
Sincerely,
The Goode family
“In Central Washington State there is a lake that you should check out. Stella Blue Lake, located 23 miles north of Pasco, is available for destination skiers to fly in or drive, stay for a few nights, and practice their slalom sets on tournament pristine waters. Rick Kearns purchased the lake from Dennis Koreis in 2018 and is offering up mid-week packages that include transportation to and from the airport, accommodations, boat, driver, and almost guaranteed sun. The lake was dug in 1984 and is one of the oldest in the state and country. The poplar trees provide a solid wind break and the house, patio, dock, and hot tub all offer great vantage points to watch your friends and family work on their personal bests. 
Located next to Tate Lake and 3 hours from Seattle, Stella Blue Lake attracts visitors from the ski community like Jill Knutson. Jill says that "Stella Blue is my favorite retreat! I go there to get away with my family and friends in order to bring back the joy that I have in water skiing. I can honestly say that it feels like skiing on "magic water" because I have had two of my personal records on Stella Blue! The weather is always warmer than where I train, the water feels slow, I am provided a good trusted boat driver, I stay in a gorgeous house with comfortable beds with a beautiful view of the entire lake when you wake up, along with every amenity I could ever want or need to enjoy being on and off the water!"
With direct flights from Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle to Pasco, Stella Blue Lake is only a few hours away and can be all yours….for four days. www.stellabluelake.com”
SEATTLE—Jan. 24, 2020 – Basta Boatlifts will unveil three new products at the 2020 Seattle Boat Show. New products include:
- 5,000 lb. Capacity Galvanized Steel Boat Lift
- The Quick Clamp Wheel Kit
- Exclusive Basta Rubber Bunks.
5,000 lb. Capacity Galvanized Steel Boat Lift
The versatile 5k Series has two sizes. The shorter version is designed for shallow water locations like man-made waterski lakes and natural prairie lakes. The taller version is a robust choice for rough water conditions and deeper water installations. Optional longer legs and deep water sway & brace kits allow for installations up to 19 ½ feet of water depth.
Basta Quick Clamp Wheel Kit
The patent pending Basta Quick Clamp Wheel Kit makes installation, removal and repositioning of boat lifts easier than ever before. The kit attaches to the boat lift with a screw activated clamp, making it possible to attach it without putting your face in the water.
The kit is attached on each side of the boat lift, using a standard ½” drive ratchet or a battery powered drill. It has a dual-sided handle making it easy to maneuver into place. The adjustable column provides up to a total of 26” lift making it easier to reach deeper water locations. Unlike other wheel kits, it is an easy on/off and fits many different brand boat lifts giving the operator the ability to perform more installations/removals in a day. The kit has a 1,200 lb. capacity.
Exclusive Basta Rubber Bunks
Designed and engineered by Basta Boatlifts, the EPDM patent pending Basta Rubber Bunks feature a taller profile than the competition with greater cushioning properties, accommodating unique hull designs and strake patterns.
“I am excited about these new additions to our product line. We have listened to the needs of our customers and I think they are going to love them! The 5k Series is super rugged and incredibly versatile. It’s great for shallow water lakes and sturdy enough for rough and deep water. For those whose Spring and Fall fun include moving their boat lift, the Quick Clamp Wheel Kit is quicker and easier than any boat lift wheel kit on the market. People, and hulls, are going to love our supportive new rubber bunks, you’ve just got to see them.” remarked Basta Boatlifts’ owner Bryce Hansen.
About Basta Boatlifts
Basta Boatlifts is the leader in hand-crafted luxury hydraulic boat lifts, seaplane lifts and PWC lifts. Basta patented the Over-Center gravity locking design in 1992 that changed the boat lift industry. Basta Boatlifts is a privately held company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, USA. For more information go to bastaboatlifts.com.
Hey Baller´s
For the 4th year in a row Waterski ITALY tour will happen between Sept 19th and Oct 5th 2020. Waterski ITALY tour is like a “Giro d´ITALIA” but on water skis. It is not a competition but a personal guided tour by myself during 15 day´s (16 night´s) from the north east of ITALY towards the west and then all the way south to Napoli.
During the 15 day´s we will ski the 10 best and most beautiful waterski lakes of ITALY and we will eat great Italian food at places which you would probably not end up at if being a regular tourist. As a matter of fact it was suggested that I name the tour “Waterski & Eat ITALY tour”
You don´t have to be a Pro water skier to partake. This is for anyone who loves the sport of waterskiing and have a desire to experience what some of the previous participants has called the tour “the ultimate waterski vacation” or “a waterski trip of a lifetime” it is defenetly a trip that should be on everyones buket list.
In 1991 I came to ITALY to work as a Waterski coach and since then I have competed, traveled, shoot photo´s all over ITALY.
Now I want to share all of what I have experienced and so in 2017 I decided to create “Waterski ITALY tour”
The tour has 8 exclusive spot´s available and I hear by invite all of you ballers to join me on the “2020 Waterski ITALY tour”
Below is a link to the event which I have created on Face Book and also links to photo´s from previous years tour.
Event on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/811351819277328/
Photo´s from the 2017 tour
https://www.facebook.com/pg/waterskiitaly/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155888954748175
Photo´s from the 2018 tour
https://www.facebook.com/pg/waterskiitaly/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10156002594708175
Photo´s from the 2018 tour
https://www.facebook.com/pg/waterskiitaly/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10156921860903175
For more in depth information about the “2020 Waterski ITALY tour” or if you would like to get on the mailing list please contact me directly at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thomas Gustafson
ORLANDO, FL (February 12, 2020) — Watershed Innovation (a subsidiary of Correct Craft) is excited to announce its newest brand, Ingenity. Ingenity will debut its electric drive system powered by a unique battery at the 2020 Miami International Boat Show.
Bill Yeargin, President and CEO of Correct Craft stated, “Ingenity will change the marine industry as we know it. At Correct Craft we believe the future will be very different than it is today and that’s why we started Watershed Innovation to take on projects like Ingenity. The Watershed Innovation team has done a phenomenal job creating a system that is clearly the future of our industry.”
Watershed Innovation created Ingenity to bring a high-power electric drive to the most demanding watersports enthusiasts and inevitably to the marine industry. President of Watershed Innovation (Ingenity’s parent company), Sean Marrero said, “Electric is the propulsion of the future, but no battery in the world could meet the high-power requirements for a watersports boat, fit in the available space, and be used twice in the same day…so we designed our own.”
With 124 kWh of stored energy, the Ingenity battery allows for 2 to 3 hours of typical watersports use and can be recharged in as little as 90 minutes. It has cells from top tier suppliers and the latest in cooling and safety technology. The battery management system is designed for thousands of cycles which equates to many years of use powering a boat.
GOODE Skis will honor the memory of its founder, Dave Goode, by serving as the presenting sponsor of the 2020 Big Dawg World Tour.
“I don’t think anyone loved the Big Dawg tour as much as Dave did,” said Dawn Goode. “He competed in nearly every tour stop ever held and he absolutely loved seeing all his friends have so much success on the tour over the years. This seemed like a really fitting way to keep Dave’s memory alive while supporting a sport and series that he loved so much.”
The 2020 Nautique Big Dawg World Tour presented by GOODE Skis in memory of Dave Goode will feature two qualifying stops: June 26-28, at Botaski in Sesena, Spain, and Aug. 28-30, at the California Pro Am at Shortline Lakes in Elk Grove, Calif. The top finishers from the two events will square off at the 2021 Nautique Masters.
California Pro Am tournament director Greg Badal is a Team GOODE skier who saw Dave’s passion for the tour up close.
“He just loved the camaraderie between all the skiers, hanging out and talking with each other,” said Greg. “And it didn’t matter what ski you skied on, he was there to help everyone whether it was with a fin tweak or fixing an equipment problem. It was always a very personal touch from him.
“Doing this in his memory, I don’t think you could ask for anything better,” added Greg.
Besides supporting something near and dear to Dave’s heart, Dawn hopes that GOODE’s involvement with the tour will signal that the company remains committed to its customers and the sport as a whole.
“Dave was always pushing the company forward and he left it in a strong position that will allow us to keep that legacy alive,” said Dawn. “We are going to keep working, keep innovating and keep helping skiers be the best they can be.”
For more details about the tour, visit nautiquebigdawg.com
The 2020 Season is Here!
The first three session dates for On-Site Training with Terry Winter are up on the web site and booking now. If you want to improve your skiing while taking advantage of the opportunity to ski in sunny California at a beautiful site check out the dates and get scheduled today. We don’t want you to miss out!
Weeks available include:
Sunday, April 5th-Thursday, April 9th
Saturday, May 9th-Wednesday, May 13th
Friday, May 22nd-Monday, May 25th
MORE DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!
All levels are encouraged and welcome.
Whether you are brand new to water skiing or looking to increase your personal best, come ski and enjoy the phenomenal site, Liquid Zone.
KD skis are also available to DEMO at Liquid Zone. Come ski with Terry, and have him help you find the optimal set up that work for you!
Can't ski with Terry? That's okay, you can still make arrangements to demo a ski. Shoot an e-mail to Terry and get set up.
Subcategories
Breaking News by Ellie Rae Horton
Ellie Horton is three event and third generation competitive water skier. She grew up skiing at Horton Lakes, which was built by her grandfather Dr Jack Horton, and began competing when she was ten years old.
Currently, Ellie is a second year student at Florida Southern College. She is studying journalism and skis on scholarship for the FSC water ski team. is ranked 3rd overall in the nation, 9th in the U21 overall world standings, and has her open women’s rating in overall.
She is a member of the D3 water skis Factory Team and is sponsored by CAMARO wetsuits and NewCity Clothing.
Her recent successes have included winning Division I women’s tricks at the 2013 collegiate nationals as well as taking the tricks and overall title at the U21 2014 Pan Am Championships.
