The_Krista

Thanks @ScarletArrow‌ That was the major motivation behind this. We will be posting many more 'how to's', informational videos and fun videos on our YouTube channel. We really wanted to establish an easy way to share what we do and what we are working on with our members. It's all about communication! :) On that same note, we are building a database of "FAQ's" answered by skiers and our partners via video that will be posted throughout the year. We have a lot of expertise and access to people with a ton of knowledge about the sport and other aspects of our organization from daunting insurance questions to going through the contents of our 2014 Collegiate Kits. Stay tuned and thank you for the support and encouraging words.

So happy to see Seth run 41 and then so deep into 43. Love you @Sethski‌

@Oldutskier I commend your efforts! This is not an easy undertaking but likely will leave a life-long impression on a lot of these girls and great memories for the dads. This makes me smile. If you'd like, email Taryn at programs (at) usawaterski (dot) org and let her know what you are putting together. She might be able to pull together some goodie bags, stickers, etc., for the girls to enhance their experience. ALSO, be sure to take a lot of pictures and videos. For the kids' sake of course but I would love to use your experience and photos as an example and testimonial for others to host similar parties. And from personal experience, kneeboards are a great place to start. High rate of success with low level of athletic ability and stability on the water required. It also helps them gain confidence in being on top of the water, hearing the noise of the boat, etc... Feel free to email me as well if there is anything we can do to help your efforts. Good luck!

Hi @lhoover I'm glad you brought this up...Can you be more specific about the "outrageous fees?" As a skier, judge, driver, etc., I understand the frustrations with all of the paperwork, requirements and qualifications and how over-board they appear. Since joining the USA-WS staff however, I have seen an entirely new side to the organization and witnessed the frustrating roadblocks that continue to pop up ...mostly from an insurance standpoint. Believe me, we are trying to navigate around these issues with the smallest affect possible on our members. We are addressing the benefits currently offered to our members, sponsors and partners and are identifying new assets and opportunities we can offer to enhance our value as an national governing body and membership-based organization. One of the first things we are tackling in 2014 is prioritizing our member-benefits and clearly communicating exactly "who we are" and "what we do." I feel like that will help explain a lot of these "outrageous" fees you're referring to. @ShaneH I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully with better communication from our organization we will be able to shine some light on this issue so at least their decisions not to partake will be based on the facts and the entire picture and not just assumptions. Overall, I ask you guys just to hang in there and be vocal about what you want from us. We have a lot of plans in the works from national media initiatives, complteley new-membership growth programs, premier events planned and hosted by our organization and out of industry partnerships being forged. Thanks again for bringing this up, please continue to talk, ask questions, give suggestions, complain, etc. We are listening and we are trying. Thanks! Krista Feel free to send me emails: krogers @ usawaterski (.org)

@mattP, @Skoot1123, @wish, @toddL and others, USA WS is part of the WSIA (watersports industry association) and are involved with the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) We attend WSIA board meetings and are involved in conversations with both organizations constantly. Not only making sure USA-WS and our sport remains relevant in discussions but also to stay involved and use our resources to protect and serve as much as we can on a larger scale. The mission of WSIA is to serve as the world’s leading trade association that promotes and protects towed water sports activities-- and they do a darn good job at it. There are a lot of people behind the scenes, working with lobbyists and fighting against potential EPA issues across the nation on a daily basis--I see the emails and during the last WSIA board meeting there was an entire presentation on a success story in Wisconsin and the potential negative economic impact it could have had on our entire industry had the politicians been successful at banning boats with engines on certain lakes. (Mind you this stemmed from a grumpy man claiming "erosion" from a wakeboard boat.) WSIA and NMMA work with third party researchers to determine rates of erosion and put together convincing reports to protect the waterways and skiers/riders right to use them... This is just one small example. I appreciate everyone taking an interest and a concern in this ugly-stuff, it's so nice to know we are not an island. Like @klindy mentioned, you can send a note to your regional rep and do your part ;)

10:30am @mattp I sent you the running order.

@chadw & @mattp the tournament at Lake Grew began at 8am and will go until this afternoon...2:30 is just the time the open men are jumping :)

I will be there with a few of the new team members of USA WS! Come by the our booth for some stickers, shirts, coozies, FREE Hobie sunglasses, a photo booth and just to say hi :) Have you seen this promo vid for the event? It is a recap from the media event last Friday.

Thank you for all of the input, support and encouragement. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to share your thoughts and passion. I am listening, digesting and saving to my "ideas" folder. Keep 'em coming Ballers!

Thank you everyone! I'm overwhelmed with the support and encouragement! And excited about the opportunity in so many ways... Let's do this! :)

Thank you for all of the support, well wishes and beyond flattering compliments...holy moly you guys better keep my ego in check! I enjoyed this thread for a lot more than that though--lots of fresh ideas and interesting thoughts in regards to marketing our sport and I just wanted to thank everyone for weighing in. Hopefully it is just the beginning and this conversation planted a few seeds amongst our community. Looking forward to see what grows from it (unintentional seed/growth pun...my apologies.) Also, I am not entirely against @shaneH or @Horton in bikinis...viral video potential? It shows that our sport doesn't discriminate (against hairy, "interesting" characters) and can have fun, right? ;) Thanks again! And for those of you asking about my ankle....I don't have to have surgery! The breaks were nondisplaced and the tendons partially torn so it looks like 3 months in this cast to heal and then I can look forward to some really sore "ski" muscles in October.

@bishop8950 .... I don't mind him posting the pics...I'm all about giving back to the sport...whether it is through judging/driving/scoring at tournaments, coaching and working the jr. developments, working for the Pro Ski Tour/Malibu Open, D3, Atlanta Pro Am, writing for BOS or Waterski Mag, bringing friends to the lake and introducing them to my passion or taking photos with Horton at 5am. It is fun for me too and I wouldn't do something that I wasn't comfortable with....Without delving too deep into this conversation about marketing the sport, I do think there is a missed opportunity on highlighting the "life of a waterskier" like many others have posted above. Are we a family oriented sport? Of course, I've been skiing with my parents since I could walk and we still travel, compete, train, BBQ, drive and support each other... that is a huge part of why I love waterskiing....But, like I remind people of all levels and ages (and myself ALL of the time) we do this for FUN (right?) and I think marketing the fun lifestyle is important. Does that mean creepy photos of random model girls crawling on cars in bikinis? I dont think so...but I think embracing the personalities in the sport and appealing to the lake lifestyle would be beneficial to upping the cool factor--even with kids. GirlsThatFly are onto something and I think their vision can be applied throughout the sport...tough, sexy, athletic women from around the world competing in an extreme sport with unique stories and personalities..that is marketable..And coming from a girl, that appeals to me and doesn't push me away. I think the GTF girls are badass and other girls are inspired by them not turned off from the sport by them. And along those same lines for the people worried about offending women, I posted one of those photos on Facebook / Instagram and I have just as many likes from women as I do from guys, if you find that relevant. Oh also...I don't blame @horton at all for the ankle. Unfortunate, fluke accident and I'm really bummed. I find out about surgery tomorrow at 2pm. Fingers crossed please.

@horton....ill match your $10.

Watch it @Horton! Nate is always the winner in my eyes! (cut some slack its almost Valentine's day....)

@swc5150 , @skibrain & others, check out the home page for a little more info on the Quest or our team blog: http://d3skiteam.com/1/post/2013/02/d3-skis-announces-the-quest.html Glad you're excited for it @jdarwin, @ral, @horton...we are too!

@Londonskier ... Come ski with us in Canyon Lake! You can make it an hour from Newport over the Ortega easy! Lots of friendly people to ski with (clearly!) right @Steven Haines and @Danbirch ?

I have a handle bracelet from my first nationals win (10 years ago now) and I still wear it all of the time...And this year I got the white gold handle ring with a little diamond in it...its so cute and people (outside the industry) are always asking about it. I love his work...every piece is hand designed and crafted by him-pretty cool and unique. I highly recommend his stuff for Valentine's Day gifts...you can't go wrong! Sparkly bling + skiing related = Happy skier girlfriends/wives.

Here ya go...enjoy....and also, it was an old fin from somewhere that was screwed on the bottom last minute....

@h2oski just to clarify...the MO festival will be June 21-22 not July :)

Hehehehehe muahahahaha!

Try starting with this: Binding: 30 5/8th” Fin: 2.505 6.925 (tips) .745 (flat) Wing @ 8 Hope that helps!

Woohoo! Naked Panda isn't really that far off from Liberated China if you think about it...and the fact that their logo is a Panda makes perfect sense! Those Smack Bottoms would make a great stocking stuffer! Hint hint ...Nate...if you're reading this...;)

Sorry @igkya and @jedgell Nick asked me to remove the video because in his words it was intended for "tournament use only"

Hey Mickey--Check out this interview with Trent on the Vice, it's characteristics, composition, etc. Good luck on your ski hunt! http://ow.ly/3Iwe7

It was a completely anonymous thing guys...I didn't know what year the photos were taken, or who they were submitted by. And honestly had a difficult time picking. There were a TON of awesome skier/action photos but these top 3 stood out to me because they really made me want to go mess up that water. The action ones were awesome but I've seen a lot of photos like that. It was my discretion, it was a fun contest and those photos are the ones I liked. Don't get grumpy! Maybe next round we will be more specific. Congrats Joe. :)