Winter has arrived in Central Florida early this year, just in time for some hard-core barefooters to heat up the water of the Championship Lake in Auburndale, Florida, and the Sixth Annual Mike Salber Memorial Barefoot Tournament.
Temperatures were in the 40s when the tournament began, with a cold breeze out of the north. But the weather didn’t bother some of the same competitors who took to the water in October’s World Barefoot Championships and came back for more… more personal bests… more fun!
ALL of the Results are HERE!
Only one barefooter stayed warm long enough to compete in ALL three events. Logan Harrington set a personal best in tricks of 1620, a solid score of 6.6 in wake slalom, and landed his first jump in competition of 7.7 meters! Way to go Logan!
Girls Competitor Brooke Gunderson set a personal best and pending national record of 1610 in tricks. This girl is on fire and never stops training!
The pride of Polk County and New Zealand Ben Groen boosted a 25.5 meter jump… topping his incredible performance at the World Championships.
The G.O.A.T. (Ash Stebbeings) scored a solid 17 in wake slalom… all while keeping the tournament rolling and Payton out of trouble.
Orval Cyr pulled out every trick in the book to grab a personal best in tricks. No joy on the PB, but it was great to see this barefoot phenom and his USA teammates Brody Meskers and Brett Swanbom back together again!
Filmmaker and all-around cool dude Jake Snider scored 770 in tricks and landed his very first jump in competition… but did not get to BSP before the ride-out buoy. That was a sweet 11+ meter jump, Jake!
Massive thanks to John Cornish, Jess Caserta, Teri Jones, Brody Meskers, Brett Swanbom, Ash Stebbeings, Ben Groen, Kelly Blank, and Trey Edwards for officiating and volunteering, and Mikey Caruso and Steve Gunderson for helping with Safety.
And of course, to Payton Groen for being the best barefooting supporter in the USA!
Thanks also to our biggest supporters, Visit Central Florida and Polk County Sports Marketing, for providing the portalet and access to the amazing site!
See you in April at the PGA Canal!
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American Barefoot Club 