“The lake goes on forever and the season never ends” – A few words from Betsy

Greetings #BarefootNation!

Spring is here and our first tournament of the season is less than two weeks away! I am into my second year as President of the American Barefoot Club and I wanted to give you a little update on what’s been happening!

If you haven’t signed up for the legendary PGA Season Opener in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida… sign up here today!  I know it sounds like a golf tournament but it really is the best butter calm water you will get all year!  And it’s already summer in South Florida.

2018 U.S. Barefoot Nationals, Lake Grew, Polk City, Florida July 26-29

The schedule is out… more details to follow on Barefoot.org and the American Barefoot Club Facebook Page.  The Southern Region tried to condense nationals to make it more of a family-friendly weekend event instead of “taking a week off work event.”  There will be medals for nationals event winners but division overall champions will be receiving some exciting new awards! Sign up today for discounted early registration.

There is also a fun X-Games/Jump Jam event open to all competitors on Friday afternoon of Nationals!  Get ready to barefoot your bottoms off!  Woohoooo!

 2018 World Barefoot Championships in Napanee, Ontario, Canada August 11-18

The Junior, Elite and Senior U.S. Barefoot Teams will be announced soon!  If you are an independent and planning to ski, please reach out to Team Manager Lauren St. Onge or check out all the info on the USA Worlds INFO Facebook Page

Barefoot Badges: Go get ’em!

The South-Central ABC Regional Director Landen Ehlers is leading the charge for the revival of the barefoot badges.  He introduced the Barefooter and Master Barefooter Badge last year and this year three more badges are coming out!  Get yours today! For all the info go to Barefoot.org

2018 Water Ski Hall of Fame: Jon Kretchman

Our own Warrior of the North will be inducted into the Water Ski Hall of Fame on April 28 at Disney World.  The Kretch Krew is bringing in dozens of barefooters from the Upper Midwest.  Please send your good wishes to Jon and attend if you can! Tickets are going fast. All the info here!

 Performance Divisions

This is the second year of the new performance divisions and we are excited to keep barefoot competition… well… competitive!   If you haven’t checked it out… go to a tournament this summer and have a blast!I know, I know, I know… it’s not like we’ve always done it. But it’s super fun!

USA Water Ski Name Change

USA Water Ski.our parent organization, is now USA Water Ski and Wake Sports.   The name change is all about making towed water sports more inclusive and exciting!  For more info go to USAWaterski.org  There will also be new lower membership fees coming soon.

That’s the biz! Take time this summer to support your local tournaments and local barefooters!  We all need to come together more than ever to lift up barefoot water skiing!  If you see something that’s not working, instead of just complaining, volunteer to make it better!  Ask what you can do for barefooting!

Barefooters are amazing, creative and passionate… I can’t wait to see what the 2018 season brings! Because… after all, the lake goes on forever and the season never ends!

• Betsy Anderson Gilman, President, American Barefoot Club BetsyBarefoots@aol.com