By Christina Nadalin
Barefooters from the Great White North, the Sunny South, and the Southern Hemisphere took over the site of the 2024 World Championships in Auburndale, Florida, for the Mike Salber Memorial Worlds Qualifier on December 9th. The warm weather and calm water did not disappoint, and the personal bests flowed! All the scores are posted HERE.
Mike would have been proud as a new generation of barefooters took over the water of a brand-new site for the annual December Tournament. Mike Salber was a long-time world competitor and driver of the Southern Region. He passed away in a boating accident in 2018, and we have been holding this tournament every year since. For more about Mike, CLICK HERE.
Brooke Gunderson skied her first tournament and came away with a 550 in tricks, qualifying her in that event for the 2024 junior worlds as an independent! She also got a 2.38 in slalom!
Lance Smith got first place in tricks and slalom in the Men’s B division and a personal best in tricks scoring a 1450! John Garrity skied all 3 events and took home first place overall in Men’s B and a new jump PB of 10.3.
Trey Edwards grabbed first place overall in the Men’s A division after winning tricks and slalom and getting third in jump – he also got a PB in slalom of 13.6. Michael (Berry) Yoder took home second overall with PB’s in both slalom (13.0) and jump (17.1). Eric Coryer rounded out the Men’s A division by getting bronze overall.
Brett Swanbom and Carter Boerman battled it out in all three events in the Open Men’s Pro Division and Brett skied away with first place overall.
In the Men’s international division, New Zealand’s Ben Groen took home first place overall followed by Brian Basaraba from Canada who skied a personal best in slalom and tricks with a 6.25 and 350 respectively.
In the Women’s International division Canada’s Christina Nadalin took home first place overall with a PB in tricks (1200) and slalom (4.7). She was followed by Ashleigh Stebbeings who skied her first tournament after giving birth to a young American. Ashleigh skied in the slalom event which she dominated with a 17.8. Kelly took home third overall with a 13 in slalom.
Carol Jackson won the Master Women’s division with a 1080 in tricks and a 3.4 in slalom. Jess Caserta won the Master Men’s division with a 7.75 in slalom and a 500 in tricks.
Massive thanks to the City of Auburndale, Polk County Sports Marketing & Visit Central Florida for supplying the lake and a very clean Portalet! Thanks also to Mike, The Lake Myrtle Park Superintendent, for supplying garbage cans and Lucky Lowe for cutting out the slalom course.
Special thanks to Eric Coryer for the use of his boat, Payton Groen for being the emotional support baby on shore all day, and, of course, to Ben and Ash for all they do for the region. Thanks also to everyone who set up on Friday and the Tournament Drivers, Scorers and Judges!
The Southern Region looks forward to a busy season leading up to the 2024 World Championships in Auburndale, Florida. Stay Tuned! Below is the 2024 Southern Region Schedule!
American Barefoot Club 