The nation’s top barefoot water ski athletes will be competing Tuesday through Saturday in the 39th annual Barefoot Water Ski National Championships at the Blue Moo in Alma Center, Wis. More than 100 athletes are expected to compete in the five-day tournament. All five days of action, including Saturday’s jumping finals under the lights, will be available for viewing via a live webcast. To view the webcast, click here. Action Tuesday through Friday begins at 8 a.m. (CDT); finals on Saturday begin at 9:30 a.m. (CDT) with the Open, Open Pro and International jumping divisions scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
Barefoot athletes in respective age divisions – ranging from 9 and under to 80 and older – as well as Open Men, Open Women and Open Pro Men will compete for national titles in wake slalom, tricks, jumping and overall.
The wake slalom event consists of athletes crossing the boat wake as many times as possible in two 15-second passes. Tricks competitors perform as many tricks as possible in two 15-second passes. Jumpers, who are each allowed three attempts, go for distance while leaping off an 18-inch ramp. Competitors reach speeds of up to 43 mph on their bare feet.
American Barefoot Club 