American Water Ski Educational Foundation Award of Distinction 2006
Inducted into the Florida Water Ski Federation Hall of Fame 2006
Dave Benzel of Groveland has been involved in water skiing since 1971 when he began competing at the age of 21. He competed in his first Nationals in 1974 and he won six consecutive national overall titles from 1983 to 1988 in Men 2 and 3. He broke the Men 3 national jumping record five times. He has served on the board of directors for the American Water Ski Educational Foundation. He has retired from competitive water skiing and is a motivational speaker and author.