The PGA Season Opener is traditionally the first barefoot tournament of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and barefooters from around the world showed up to take advantage of the glass-calm water and air temperatures in the 90s. Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, and the United States were represented on the C-18 canal in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on April 20th.
Local Barefoot Legend Jim Forster hosts the event each year. This year, Jim donated all proceeds from the tournament to help the ABC Southern Region prepare to host the 2024 IWWF World Barefoot Championships, which will be held in Auburndale, Florida, October 5-12, 2024. Namely, the money paid for the survey for the Championship Ski Lake’s new barefoot jump course! Thanks Jim! For more information on the worlds go to: https://2024barefootworlds.com/
It was a good cause and a very good day on the canal for Barefooting’s new young gun, Brooke Gunderson. Brooke qualified in wake slalom for the Junior World Championships with a 3.4 and got a new personal best in tricks of 800. Brooke is ready to take on the world in both events in October! For all the scores, go to IWWF HERE.
The Open Men only wanted to wake slalom, with Jim Forster scoring 12.5, Eric Coryer 12.4, and Michael Yoder 11.9. The Master men were only about one event also with Mike Molepske winning tricks with a 1220 and Jess Caserta tearing it up in slalom with an 8.35
In Men’s A, Trey Edwards scored 11.7 in slalom and 1850 in Tricks. In Men’s B, Trey Morse scored 4.2 in Slalom and 1000 in tricks. In Men’s C, Famous Filmmaker Jake Snider scored 4.35 in slalom and 750 in tricks, followed closely by Aidan McCarthy.
Matt Ellis dominated the Senior Men’s division with a 580 in tricks and a 3.3 in slalom. In the Senior Women’s division, Carol Jackson won tricks with an 1100 and placed first in slalom.
The International Mens Division had some of the fiercest competition of the day, maybe because local gators Dino and Otis decided not to attend the tourney. “Big Daddy” Ben Groen scored at 18.6 in slalom and 11,880 in tricks, followed by Rick “For the King” Moyes with a 13.2 in slalom and 5880 in tricks. “Captain Intensity” Duane Godfrey and Sascha Baeyens also had good showings for the first tourney of the year.
The International Women’s Division marked the return of the G.O.A.T. Ash Stebbeings Groen, who casually set a post-partum pending world record in slalom of 17.8 and scored 6400 in tricks. Look out, world, she’s baaaaaack!
Kelly Blank tied her PB’s in slalom and tricks with a 13.4 and 3200. Her big victory was winning the “slalom off” with the boys of the World Barefoot Center, who were all “blanked” by Kelly. Sorry Rick and Berry!
Canadian Christina “PB Nadine” Nadalin showed off her new wetsuit, some incredible front slalom, and a tricky new start!
But the International Baby Division beat everyone. Young American Payton Groen can’t walk yet but scored 22.5 in wake slalom and 14,000 points in tricks all while taking a nap on her waffle matt in the tent! GO USA!
Massive thanks to Chief Judge Kelly Blank and Assistant Chief Judge Mike Molepske for keeping the tournament moving. And kicking butt when needed.
Thanks to drivers Dale Henrickson, Ben Groen, and Jim Forster. Judges Duane Godfrey, Christina Nadalin, Trey Edwards, Eric Coryer, and Scorers Ash Groen, Carol Jackson, Dale Stevens, and Lesley Gunderson.
Sign up for the Summer Splash in Auburndale May 11th! SIGN UP HERE
American Barefoot Club 