Children of all ages can compete in barefoot skiing. (All photos courtesy USA Water Ski.)

Children of all ages can compete in barefoot skiing. (All photos courtesy USA Water Ski.)



Have you ever imagined yourself gliding through a slalom course, flying high after being launched off a killer wake or cruising along the water with only your two bare feet? You can stop dreaming and make it reality, because USA Water Ski offers three uniquely based programs for everyone from beginners to advanced slalom skiers, wakeboarders and barefooters. These leagues provide the opportunity for you to challenge yourself — perhaps emulate your favorite pro or maybe just enjoy a fun and competitive environment while improving your skills.

Whether you have never stepped a foot into a binding or are perfecting a Toe Side Off -Axis 720 you'll have the opportunity to "hit it" this season with the National Ski League, National Wakeboard League and National Barefoot League.

The National Ski League, National Wakeboard League and the National Barefoot League were formed in 1997 with the of making tournaments much less intimidating by providing a fun and relaxed atmosphere in which participants compete and learn with others of the same ability level. The festive environment of these events attract recreational and experienced boaters alike.

Everyone walks away a winner. Participants are awarded free T-shirts, hats and/or decals. The top three competitors in each division will receive an award. And you don't have to compete — at most these events, there are clinics offered by professional waterskiers, wakeboarders and barefooters.But for those who do enjoy competition, there is the chance to compete in the Annual Pro-Am Challenge in sunny Orlando, Florida by accumulating participation and placement points from these league events. There are more than 150 tournaments across the country.

Here is a league-by-league look at what you can expect from each program.

National Ski League

NSL competition challenges participants to improve their skills in an unintimidating environment.

NSL competition challenges participants to improve their skills in an unintimidating environment.



The National Ski League is made up of local water ski clubs across the country that host fun tournaments for new and upcoming skiers. These tournaments provide skiing opportunities that are attractive to the recreational skier because they feature competition between skiers of the same ability- giving everyone a chance to win. Many of the tournaments feature skier clinics and provide opportunities to demo the latest equipment and ski technology. On-site announcers, music and banners from local and national sponsors create a lively atmosphere.

Some NSL tournaments are held in conjunction with other events such as wakeboarding, barefooting, kneeboarding, etc. Other events are held with higher rated tournaments, which will give you a glance of the next level of competition. Anyone who participates in an NSL tournament has an opportunity to get started in the sport and move up the ladder of water skiing success.

All NSL participants have the chance to compete in the 2001 Pro-Am Challenge, October 20-21, at the Orlando Watersports Complex, Orlando Fl. Through the new Pro-Am Point System, participants accumulate participation and placement points for a chance to earn an invitation from USA Water Ski to compete in the Pro-Am Challenge.

Their are trophies for winners and prizes for participants all NSL, NWL and NBL events.

Their are trophies for winners and prizes for participants all NSL, NWL and NBL events.



The Pro-Am Challenge is the end of the season event for the NSL/NWL/NBL programs. Participants will compete on a team with a pro skier, as well be scored individually for a chance to win the Pro-Am title in their respected division. The best part? USA Water Ski will provide airfare and a portion of the accommodations to participants who have accumulated the most points at the end of the season. Participants accumulate points through participation and placement at NSL/NWL/NBL events. All NSL/NWL/NBL participants are invited, but only the competitors with the most points at the end of the season will win there way to take the challenge. Talk to your tournament coordinator to sign up for this event, or check out the website at USA Waterski

National Wakeboard League

You have learned to ride a wakeboard and you can pull off a few tricks that are worth bragging about. Maybe you've never put your two feet near a wakeboard, but dream about competing in the X-Games. Whatever your goals, the National Wakeboard League is designed for beginner to advanced wakeboarders looking to learn new tricks, catch some big air, compete and — most of all have a good time on the water. There are more than 85 tournaments across the country that will provide boarders with this opportunity.

Like the events of the other leagues, the NWL events offer a fun atmosphere and instructional clinics. There also are plenty of product demos in which clinic participants get to ride the latest boards while being towed by the hottest boats.

Forty-three-year-old Lori Roy started skiing competitively three years ago.

Forty-three-year-old Lori Roy started skiing competitively three years ago.



All competitors have a chance to compete in 2001 Pro-Am Challenge. How do competitors qualify? Compete and win in as many National Wakeboard League, National Ski League and/or National Barefoot League events as possible.

Through a Pro-Am Point System; participants accumulate participation and placement points for a chance to earn an invitation to the Pro-Am Challenge from the American Wakeboard Association. The participants with the top points at the end of the season will have their airfare and a portion of their accommodations paid for by the American Wakeboard Association. The Pro-Am Challenge challenges competitors to compete on a team with a pro rider, as well as be scored individually for a chance to win the Pro-Am Title in a their division. Talk to your tournament coordinator to sign up for this event, or check out the website at USA Waterski

The National Barefoot League

The National barefoot League mirrors the National Ski League and the National Wakeboard League by bringing grassroots barefoot competition to more participants nationwide. The NBL debuted on Lake Silver in Winter Haven, Fla., October 1999. The host was was "Banana" George Blair at his 12th Annual Blairfoot Bananza.

"The Bananza is exactly what an NBL tournament should be," said Blair. "It offers a variety of events for athletes to participate at every level of the sport."

The tournament was geared toward juniors' participation in a boom division, figure- 8 head-to-head competitions as well as an endurance event. Footers participated in novice divisions all the way through expert levels. The NBL's ability-based format for these barefoot tournaments help participants compete against footers of the same level and/or receive guidance as far as putting together a trick run or knowing what the slalom event consists of. The footers personal best score for the current season or from the previous season are the guideline as to which division he or she will be placed. One restart is allowed if you fall before the course, and you can utilize a boom, which is a piece of barefoot training equipment.

Barefoot International has teamed up with USA Water Ski to offer each NBL tournament participants a chance to win a "free" one-day lesson. Barefoot international also will offer an "Easy Footer" training handle and a video to NBL coordinators for any barefoot clinics held prior to NBL tournaments.

NBL participants, like participants in the other leagues, have the chance to compete in the 2001 Pro-Am Challenge. Participants with the highest points totals will have their airfare and a portion of their accommodations paid for by USA Water Ski. Talk to your tournament coordinator to sign up for this event, or check out the website at USA Waterski

Who Gets Involved

A young wakeboarding competitor heads for the water.

A young wakeboarding competitor heads for the water.



The most appealing aspect of these watersports is the longevity and family connection they provide. To professionals Andy Mapple, Darin Shapio and Christy Overton-Johnson did not wake up one day with the phenomenal ability to perform unbelievable tricks and break world records. They all started somewhere, most likely on a family weekend camping trip to the lake being pulled behind any engine that would drag them out of the water.

Families and friends travel from all over the city, state or region to these tournaments; some even make it a family vacation. Competitors ages range from under eight and nine year olds to over fifty. In these sports, you are never too old or too young.

Take Lori Roy, a 43-year-old NSL competitor from Shreveport, La. She started in competitive waterskiing through the NSL at age 40. Her goal is to compete at the U.S. Water Ski Nationals when she is 100 years old. Roy now 43, was inspired to compete when she met 84-year-old Slalom competitor, Lucille Borgen at the 1997 Water Ski Nationals. Roy's progress has been astounding.

"I can now get five balls at 30 mph and am working hard to make regionals this year," she says. "It is going to be tough."

On the other end of the spectrum is Jessica Butler, a National Wakeboard League competitor in Colorado, who is tearing up the water at the tender age of eight.

How to Get Involved

Getting involved is easier than you might think. You don't have to be a great skier/rider or have your own boat. Simply find the nearest tournament and sign up. To find these fun events go to www.usawaterski.org nd click on the "grassroots events" link, or the NSL, NWL, or NBL logos.

Costs— Entry fees are typically no more than $35 with options to join the host ski/wakeboard club and USA Water Ski. To participate in the tournament you must register to become a USA Water Ski Active or Guest Member. Guest Membership is $10 per event and Active membership is $50 for individuals with family packages available. With the Active Membership, you will not only receive access into all USA Water Ski events, but you will receive a 9-month subscription to The Water Skier magazine, your copy of The Regional Tournament Guide, decals and plenty of great discounts on industry related products as well as hotel and car rentals

Equipment Needed— You will need to bring a Type III approved life jacket, your own ski and/or wakeboard and a rope. If you do not have this equipment, don't worry, simply contact the tournament coordinator to see if extra skis, boards, life jackets and/or ropes will be available on the premises. A majority of the time there will be ski and wakeboard equipment demos or an extra ski, board or jacket floating around that you can borrow. If you are planning to attend an NBL tournament it would be beneficial if you have your own personal wetsuit, for those are much more difficult to borrow.

Other equipment and items suggested, but not necessary are: gloves, tools for possible equipment repair, ice cold water to keep cool in the summer heat, lawn chairs and other "fun in the sun essentials" - frisbee, volleyball, supersoaker water guns, etc. Contact the coordinator to see if food will be provided and what accommodations will be available on and off the site, such as hotels, restrooms and restaurants.

How to Host a Tournament

Although competitive waterskiing and wakeboarding are growing every year, many clubs and individuals believe it would be very difficult to put on a tournament or series of tournaments. On the contrary, it has been made very simple by USA Water Ski through their step-by-step "How to Host a Fun Tournament" kit or computerized CD.

The tournaments include very low set-up costs that will usually be regained from the participation in your events. USA Water Ski will also provide you with the following benefits to make sure your event is a success:

  • A straight forward step-by-step how to hold a tournament kit or Compact Disc.

  • Flexibility and suggestions in scoring, obtaining sponsors, and running your tournaments.

  • Access to Safety Officials and Drivers.

  • Affordable insurance coverage for your tournaments and clinics.

  • Discounted equipment provided by Barefoot International and Fly High
    FREE Banners.

  • Assistance in obtaining sponsorship.

  • Assistance in promoting your tournaments.

  • Wholesale discounts on quality merchandise for your participants.

  • Easily accessible and triumphant trophies and plaques.

  • $100 credit on the purchase of trophies and/or plaques for each event.

  • Online Coordinators Discussion Group serviced by Groups.Yahoo.com.

  • Coordinator Newsletter to keep you updated on all of the current NSL/NWL/NBL topics.

  • Fifteen FREE T-Shirts for new coordinators.


Tournaments are hosted by USA Water Ski affiliated clubs. A club consists of two or more individuals that are members of USA Water Ski and have taken the initiative of becoming Active USA Water Ski members, filling out a club membership application and paying a low annual club fee.

By hosting tournaments, you will be known for increasing enthusiasm and participation in the sport, bringing families and the community together, building future champions while at the same time having fun and increasing membership into your club or organization.

"Hosting National Ski League and National Wakeboard League tournaments gives club members an active voice in the club and is a fun way to get the community involved in a lifelong family activity," says Dean Cherry, an NSL coordinator of more than 10 events in Southern California.

For more information on hosting a National Ski League, National Wakeboard League and/or National Barefoot League tournament and/or to receive your "How to Host a Fun Tournament" kit, contact Colleen Gleeson at 800-533-2972 or email [email protected]. Or go to the USA Water Ski website, USA Waterski