American Barefoot Club Quarterly Newsletter – Winter 2025

Welcome to the ABC Quarterly Newsletter!
The goal of this publication will be to ensure you know about upcoming events, hear about the latest news, get sport specific tips, and provide resources for additional information. This is a new effort from the marketing committee to enhance communication outside of social media. We need to welcome the barefoot family at large to sign up and we need your help. Please forward this newsletter to every barefoot water skier you know, whether they just learned or they used to barefoot “back in the day”. The barefoot family is something special and we need to grow the family. Let’s Go!

Proper and Safe Flying Dock Starts
Writer: Paul Stokes
Athlete: Brody Meskers
The secret to a proper and safe flying dock start is a tight rope. Let’s talk through the steps.
Step 1 – Stand two steps away from the edge of the dock. Hold the handle in one hand while letting the rope uncoil from the other hand. Hold the coils high so your driver can see them.
Step 2 – Wait for the line to come tight. This is crucial! You must wait for the line to come tight prior to saying “OK” and before you begin to take steps towards the edge of the dock.
Step 3 – Follow the pull of the boat with a tight rope while taking two steps to leap from the dock. The boat WILL NOT pull you out the front.
Step 4 – Land on your feet and butt, not your back, and be sure you have the rope between your legs.
Step 5 – Proceed with your normal deepwater start.
Conclusion – If you practice these, you’ll find they aren’t difficult, they are fun, and they are nothing to be intimidated by. If you don’t practice them, you won’t understand the importance of a tight rope, you will be anxious about saying “OK” to the boat driver, and you will risk hitting the dock with a slack rope.These are really easy and fun, but it takes some practice to use the tight rope effectively. Tight rope is the key.
Thank you to the current US National Barefoot Champion, Brody Meskers, for providing the media.

Message from the American Barefoot Club
Teri Larson Jones – ABC President
Greetings, Barefoot Family:
Thank you for signing up for the new ABC Newsletter!

We have an exciting 2025 season on tap including 15 scheduled events across the country, and the 2025 IWWF World Masters Barefoot Championships in Chartres, France this September.

As the new President of our organization, my vision for our future includes the following:
– Growing the number of active ABC members
– Expanding education and mentoring for officials and new members
– Supporting junior development and engaging younger ABC members in leadership roles
– Investing in technology and outreach programs
Outreach begins with this newsletter, so this vision is already being realized!

Right now, the Eastern Region needs our support. In years past, the great Eastern region was a powerhouse that brought icons such as KSO and Bill Brzoza to our sport. However, the region is currently in a two-year drought for holding any events. So, if you live in CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, or RI…we want you! The Eastern Region has excellent leadership already in place, but they need YOU to help get the region “back on its feet!” ( ;

Regardless of where you are in the US, the ABC would love to have you on board, and your subscription to this newsletter is a great start!