BIG STARS, BIG JUMPS, BIG CINCO DE MAYO FUN AT SUMMER SPLASH TOURNAMENT

The Southern Region is getting it done early this year with two barefoot tournaments already in the books!

The Cinco De Mayo Edition of the Summer Splash Tournament at Action Water Sports, Lake Grew in Polk City, Florida did not disappoint. Several members of the 2018 U.S. Barefoot Team showed up to do some tournament training jump big on the Southern Region’s new barefoot ramp.  We think the jump has some good mojo from its former big daddy: Peter Fleck.

Summer Splash Tournament Director and all-around barefoot supporter, Ben Groen, won Open Pro Jumping with a 23-meter jump… going beyond the distance of Dave Small who finished second.  But the crowd-pleaser of the day was when little Brett Swanbom jumped a new pending boys national record of 12.5 meters… that kid can fly!

The water was butter from start… with Keith St. Onge laying down a 12,150 point trick run just past 8am.  KSO seemed to stir the pot for the other seven Open Pro Barefooters in the competition… including young phenom Jackson Gerard who tricked 11,250 points.

Tricks also went well in the other divisions.  Dillon “Chillin” Brouch moved into the Open Mens Division with a 3200 point trick run and Texas Outlaw Chad Sullivan chalked up 1580 points in Mens B.

In wake slalom, David Small hit 19.6 and Ashleigh Stebbeings scored 17.4, another pending women’s world record. Then Rising Star Brett Swanbom went out there and hit a new personal best of 9.1 and Frank “The German” Renelt scored 14.

A storm rolled through in the afternoon and all the skiers took a turn at the Summer Splash Pinata.  The only thing missing was a margarita machine.

Massive thanks go out to Bruce and Logan Walter and the Sanger Bumblebee boat, Ben Groen, Ash Stebbeings and Chris McWatters who were either in the boat, scoring sheets or skiing!  A Team Effort at Lake Grew!

Be sure to sign up for the Jim Boyette Southern Regionals on May 19-20!  Good fun and a Saturday night cookout included with your entry fee!  Support your local tournaments today!