We are closing in on the Footin.com 2018 U.S. Barefoot Nationals presented by Visit Central Florida! It’s being held on Lake Grew at Action Water Sports in Polk City, Florida! Yes, we have two title sponsors this year, Thanks so much Footin.com and Visit Central Florida!
We have condensed the schedule to make the nationals more of a weekend event than a “take-the-week-off-work” event! Here is the entire schedule. And a color-coded, printable version: Nationals Schedule
It’s been 41 years of the Barefoot Nationals… we hope to see perennial competitors Joe Knapp and Jim Boyette hit the water!
DO I QUALIFY? HOW DO I REGISTER? Let’s start with the basics… to qualify to compete in the nationals you must attend your Regional Tournament. Southern Regionals are over but there are plenty more to attend register here. Just talk to your Regional Director if you have questions, look them up here.
REGISTER FOR NATIONALS! If you are planning on attending, REGISTER NOW! The entry fee $150 through July 15 when it goes up to $200! Ryan Gilman is the Registrar and you can contact him if you have questions! RyanGilman@gmail.com
BOOK YOUR HOTEL BEFORE JULY 1! The host hotel is the Hampton Inn at 202 Cypress Gardens Boulevard in beautiful Winter Haven Book Here Book it now… the rooms won’t be reserved after July 1! Group Name: Barefoot Nationals (Hampton Inn 863-299-9251)
THE NATIONAL AWARDS we are putting this up high because it’s cool. We will still be awarding the USA Waterski traditional medals for event winners, BUT the Overall Winners will win an amazing trophy (pictured here) sponsored by Visit Central Florida! #FancyHardware Event Medals will be handed out on site on the day of the event, right before the jumping events! So if you ski, STAY to get your hardware! Arlene Stoppe is the Vanna White of awards this year… so look for her with questions!
HD SHIP-TO-SHORE – watch all the action behind the boat from shore and it may be live-streamed by Footin.com for the world to see… stay tuned!!!
JULY 25 Wednesday – The ABC Summer Board Meeting will be held at the Host Hotel from 10a-2p. There is a short site familiarization on Lake Grew at Action Water Sports from 4-7pm, First come, first served. Ryan the Registrar will be selling tickets on site $10 for two passes. And finally… ALL Appointed Officials need to attend a Officials meeting at the Host Hotel from 7-9pm with Chief Judge Dale Stevens!
JULY 26 Thursday – Competition Begins 8am Food and Drink on site plus t-shirt sales! After we get the awards and juump events… ABC President Betsy Gilman with run a short “Happy Hour” ABC General Membership Meeting with drinks and snacks. Please come to talk about the future of our sport! Then we can celebrate with a pizza party at Grove Roots, the coolest microbrewery in the Sunshine State. It’s a Pizza Party/Team USA Fundraiser!!!!
JULY 27 Friday – Competition begins at 8am! And ends with the amazing Open Jumping event! When competition is done for the day, the super fun Water Warriors Event sponsored by Action Water Sports takes place and everyone can participate! It should be blast! Contact Keith St. Onge barefootkso@aol.com for info. But you can register day of the event! And then after the Warriors, everyone can gather at Manny’s in Winter Haven for a group dinner!
JULY 28 Saturday – Competition begins at 8am and includes several open and junior events! After the competition is over for the day… the ABC Awards Banquet will take place at Lake Grew at Action Water Sports!!! Oh yea… Barefoot and BBQ! The Prestigious Barefooter of the Year and Jennifer Renee Odom Award will be handed out.. plus the overall awards… woot!
JULY 29 Sunday – Divisional finals… the best of the best from all of the non-open events. Compete with all ages and all divisions! Boat parade and special awards! And all of the events that were postponed by weather will be held this day so don’t make plans to leave before 4pm!! It’s gonna happen, so be prepared!
We can’t wait to see you all! Let us know if you have questions contact Tournament Director llstonge@gmail.com or Betsy Gilman betsybarefoots@aol.com
That’s the biz… we will continue to update this article as we get closer!
HUGE Thanks Again to our title sponsors: Footin.com & Visit Central Florida
Thank also to Jorge Presas and the Argentinian Barefoot Club, The World Barefoot Center, Wheel Haus, Overwear Apparel, The American Barefoot Club and of course, our lake hosts: Action Water Sports!
American Barefoot Club 
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