Bennett’s To Host 2020 GOODE Nationals

Posted on by May 26, 2020

The American Water Ski Association’s board of directors today announced that Bennett’s Water Ski & Wakeboard School in Zachary, La., will host the 78th GOODE Water Ski National Championships. The world’s largest three-event water ski tournament will be held Aug. 4-8. Bennett’s Water Ski & Wakeboard School previously hosted the Nationals in 1984 and 1989. It most recently played host to the Collegiate Water Ski National Championships in 2017.

Read all of Bennett’s To Host 2020 GOODE Nationals

USA-WSWS ‘Return To Play’ Announcement

Posted on by May 14, 2020
As our communities begin to re-open and get back to some sense of normalcy, USA Water Ski & Wake Sports has been working diligently with the USOPC and our sport discipline organizations to create “return to play” guidelines for our sport. First and foremost, the health and safety of our members is our top priority. These return to play guidelines are 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 Water Ski & Wake Sports 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 organization will work with USA Water Ski & Wake Sports to create additional best practices for their event organizers (e.g. AWSA recommendations for tournament hosts and NSSA recommendations for show ski teams).

We hope to see everyone back on the water soon. #WeAreWaterSki

Nationals and Local Tournament Sanctioning Information From AWSA President Jeff Surdej

Posted on by May 7, 2020

USA Water Ski & Wake Sports, the American Water Ski Association (AWSA) and the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches announced today that the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches will not serve as the host of the 78th GOODE Water Ski National Championships, Aug. 4-8, at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, Fla., due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on South Florida. It is important to note that the Nationals event has NOT been cancelled at this time. The AWSA board of directors is actively seeking an alternate site – and alternative dates if necessary – to conduct the world’s largest three-event water ski tournament in 2020.

The South Florida counties of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach have been Florida’s hardest hit areas with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter addressed to the board of directors of AWSA, the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches said: “We agonized over our decision and this certainly was not the outcome we wanted. However, the health and safety of our competitors, officials, volunteers, and staff in these troubled times amidst the Covid-19 virus had to be our priority. We realize that the event is not until Aug. 4, but there is simply no way to tell what the accessibility status of Palm Beach County will be with this health crisis at that time. Many factors went into our decision.”

USA Water Ski & Wake Sports suspended sanctioned events due to COVID-19 on March 18. USA Water Ski & Wake Sports is planning to begin sanctioning events again starting on May 18 and is currently finalizing Return to Play Guidelines for its more than 600 affiliated water ski clubs, nine sport discipline organizations and 14,000 members. Information on all sanctioned events, including the status of AWSA regional championships, will be available at www.usawaterski.org

2020 Florida Water Ski Federation Hall of Fame Inductee Announced

Posted on by April 10, 2020

Curtis Rabe has been elected to the Florida Water Ski Federation Hall of Fame and will be inducted at the banquet for the 2020 Florida State Championships on July 11.

Curtis is a state, regional, national and World Over 35 medal winning overall skier from Lakeland. He is also the coach of the Florida Southern Water Ski team, Senior official and former President of the FWSF.

 Congratulations to Curtis for the honor and you should make plans now to attend the induction ceremonies on Saturday July 11 at the banquet and this would be a great time to get your entry completed for the 2020 Florida State Championships.

 We look forward to seeing you there!

 Click here for Curtis complete Biography

 

AWSA Allows Practice Scores For Rankings

Posted on by April 9, 2020

Sanctioned events may be put on hold for the near future, but that doesn’t mean skiers still can’t compete. AWSA is pleased to announce that members can now enter practice scores to be judged online by a panel of officials where final scores will be submitted online to the AWSA national rankings list. Please note that USA Water Ski & Wake Sports and the American Water Ski Association strongly encourage all members to practice social distancing and any other CDC or state guidelines that are currently in place, and remember that USA Water Ski & Wake Sports is not sanctioning (providing insurance coverage) any water ski activity (tournaments, clinics, practices or exhibitions) through May 17.

Read all of AWSA Allows Practice Scores For Rankings