The Barefooters of the Midwest are making the most of extra training time this summer and mastering some new tricks on the water.
More than 27 barefooters arrived at the Blue Moo on July 24th with their game faces on, ready to take on the glass calm water and some friendly competition.
The Junior Divisions were well-represented at the Midwest Regionals. In Boys A, Carter Boerman won slalom and tricks, followed closely by Cameron Patton. The “C-Amigos” seem to get better every time they touch the handle!
Boys B is all about the Cyr Twins, with Orval Cyr winning tricks and slalom and Martin Cyr winning Jump. Multiple turns and high-flying jumps are hallmarks of the Cyr Style… you have to see these boys barefoot waterski!
Girls A was dominated by Megan “PB Queen” Adams who won the slalom event and jump with, you guessed it, personal bests! She also brought home the Open Women’s tricks title with another PB of 2350. Oh yes… and she won the 2020 Barb Knight Training Scholarship of $500 which was presented by Midwest Regional Director Sean Qualey.
When Skiing was over for the day… Ryker Meskers earned his Barefoot Badge by barefooting the entire length of the Blue Moo! Maybe Ryker will finally get a new wetsuit!
Brody, Ryker’s Big Brother, owned the Open Pro Men’s Division, winning Slalom, Tricks and Jump with Paul “Stokeman” Stokes finishing second. International Men’s was all about Ben Groen… the Kiwi Legend. Dan Baumgartner is back to 100% after his bicep injury and won Open Men’s Slalom.
Elizabeth Davison made her comeback after having a baby… winning Womens A Tricks and Women’s B Slalom. She is incredible!
Men’s A was competitive with Eric “The Machine” Friedle winning slalom and jump and Matthew Martin winning tricks! Buoy, Sean Qualey’s dog won the “photobomb” contest.
In Men’s B, Mike “The Shankster” Schoenke won Jump, Paul “Megan’s Dad” Adams won tricks. Paul and Sean Qualey tied for first in slalom.
Men’s C had some excitement with some new faces! Kevin Rauscher won Tricks and Dan “Dad” Boerman won Slalom! We loved watching Mark Gibbon, Scott Scafidi and Clif Martin tear it up!
The more experienced divisions were not going to let the young ones show them up. Joe Knapp won Master Men Slalom, Tricks and Jump. And at 80 years young… Ben Hough won Super Veteran Mens Tricks and Slalom. Ben is one of the oldest competitive barefooters in the country right now!
As always, a huge Midwest thank-you to the Heller Family for providing the perfect tournament site to the Midwest Region!
It was a Team Effort by fans and footers to make this tournament a success including officials Paul Adams, Megan Adams, Max Adams, Sean Qualey, Mike Schoenke, Ben Groen, Scott Stouffer, Tom Tocco and Eric Friedle.
Massive thanks to Rick Meskers for cooking up lunch and Chief Judge Joe Knapp for cooking up a perfectly run tournament! A footnote: Joe Knapp dislocated his shoulder while barefooting the week after regionals so send some good thoughts to Joe!
As always, a huge Midwest thank-you to the Heller Family for providing the perfect tournament site to the Midwest Region!
American Barefoot Club 