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Freddy Krueger and Ryan Dodd water ski jumping

The Case for Jumping | Waterski Pro Tour

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The Case for Jumping

Freddy Krueger and Ryan Dodd water ski jumping

Freddy Krueger and Ryan Dodd water ski jumping at Ski Fluid.

By Joey Gilroy

Waterski Pro Tour

June 8, 2023

What does it feel like to fly? Billions of people on Earth will never know the feeling of rocketing into the air, and being disconnected from everything, even if it’s just for a moment. However, many waterskiers have been able to seize the opportunity to know what it is like to fly, even if for just a moment. Is it scary? Yes. Is it dangerous at times? Yes. Is it difficult to get into? Yes. So why do it? Because waterski jumping is the greatest feeling in the world. Whether you are going 25ft over the ramp and into the water, or uncorking a 300ft leap through the air, jump is truly the best thing that can be done on waterskis.

Full article at Waterski Pro Tour.

It is with great sadness that the University will lower the University flag to half-staff in memory of Michael Arthur "Micky" Geller on Thursday, May 18.

University of Louisiana-Lafayette Champion Water-Skier Dies ‘Suddenly’ at 18 | NBC

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University of Louisiana-Lafayette champion water-skier dies ‘suddenly’ at 18

It is with great sadness that the University will lower the University flag to half-staff in memory of Michael Arthur "Micky" Geller on Thursday, May 18.

Image: University of Louisiana at Lafayette

By Marlene Lenthang

NBC News

A champion water skier who studied at a Louisiana university has died “suddenly” at the age of 18, school officials and his water ski team announced.

Michael Arthur “Micky” Geller, a freshman at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and member of the school’s Ragin’ Cajuns Waterski Team, died Saturday, according to his obituary.

Full article at NBC.

Chile's Sports Minister Jaime Pizarro played an active part in promoting the water skiing preparations of the national team ahead of the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games

Chile Sports Minister Turns Water Skier in Support of Preparations for Santiago 2023 | Inside The Games

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Chile Sports Minister turns water skier in support of preparations for Santiago 2023

Chile's Sports Minister Jaime Pizarro played an active part in promoting the water skiing preparations of the national team ahead of the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games

Chile’s Sports Minister Jaime Pizarro played an active part in promoting the water skiing preparations of the national team ahead of the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

By Mike Rowbottom

Inside the Games

Chile’s Sports Minister Jaime Pizarro took an active part as he visited Laguna Los Morros in San Bernardo, training alongside the country’s water skiing team as they prepare for this year’s Pan American Games in Santiago.

During the visit the 59-year-old Pizzaro, a former footballer played 53 times for the Chile national team as a midfielder, participated in a water skiing practical class given by Felipe Miranda, the overall 2015 Pan American champion and 2013 and 2017 world champion.

“We’re in the vespers of amazing Games and you’ve been part of worldwide tournaments, Pan American and South American ones; so you do know the importance of participating as Chilean representatives in those events,” Pizzaro said.

“This is a wonderful discipline that has achieved a lot of medals for our country.”

Full article at Inside the Games.

WWS 2023 Press Release

Bigger, Better, & Beyond: 2023 WWS Overall Tour Launch | WWS

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Bigger, Better, & Beyond: 2023 WWS Overall Tour Launch

WWS 2023 Press Release

World Water Skiers

May 11, 2023

Exciting news! The WWS Overall Tour is back and better than ever! This is only the second year of the Tour, but it’s already making waves in the world of water skiing. The WWS Tour features four stops across four countries – France, Austria, Canada, and the USA – all of which boast some of the most renowned lakes in the world. With each stop awarding equal prize money and points towards the tour rankings, every buoy, every trick, and every jump, and every round could determine the course of the entire year. And for the Overall Tour Champions, there’s more than just bragging rights on the line – they’ll take home a year-end bonus totaling $14,000! WWS is proud to partner with forward-thinking clubs, sponsors, and donors committed to investing in the sport and showcasing the extraordinary talents of these athletes. With the WWS-built EMS hub, the clubs will have the most advanced tools to promote the sport. Join us for an electric atmosphere and unforgettable action at every Tour stop.

Full press release at World Water Skiers.

Women's podium from the 2023 Swiss Pro Slalom

May Madness Recap | Waterski Pro Tour

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May Madness Recap

Women's podium from the 2023 Swiss Pro Slalom

The 2023 King of Darkness and Swiss Pro Slalom were hosted on the same weekend in Central Florida.

By Joey Gilroy

Waterski Pro Tour

May Madness is over, as are the early stages of this year’s Pro Tour.

The King of Darkness was a resounding success, with Freddy Krueger, Regina Jaquess, Nate Smith, and Whitney McClintock-Rini all coming away as winners. The Swiss Pro Slalom finished with Nate Smith and Regina Jaquess each topping the podiums at the end of the weekend with Regina continuing her unbeaten streak at Swiss since 2015.

Full article at Waterski Pro Tour.

Women's podium from the 2023 Swiss Pro Tricks

2023 Swiss Pro Tricks Recap | Waterski Pro Tour

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Swiss Pro Tricks Recap

Women's podium from the 2023 Swiss Pro Tricks

Women’s podium from the 2023 Swiss Pro Tricks (image: @swissprowaterski)

By Jane Peel

Waterski Pro Tour

The 2023 Waterski Pro Tour launched in style on Sunday 23rd April with the best in the world competing at the first tricks-only competition to be organised under the WPT banner. The inaugural Swiss Pro Tricks, held at the Swiss Waterski Resort in Florida, was also the first pro event of the season in the northern hemisphere. It did not disappoint: there were huge scores, a world record equalled and a couple of PBs.

“We just had the craziest and best tricks tournament of all time,” said Dorien Llewellyn. And that was before the finals!

Full article at Waterski Pro Tour.

Aaron Bartlett, 13, practices his moves on the slalom course

In New Hampshire, Water Skiers Keep their Sport Skimming Along | Boston Globe

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In New Hampshire, water skiers keep their sport skimming along

Aaron Bartlett, 13, practices his moves on the slalom course

Aaron Bartlett, 13, practices his moves on the slalom course (image: Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff)

By Stan Grossfeld

WOLFEBORO, N.H. — The best part of water skiing is the jump, says Aaron Bartlett.

“It’s fun to fly through the air,” says Bartlett, a sun-bronzed 13-year-old who started skiing at age 4.

Bartlett’s last competitive jump on June 25 was heart-stopping. He was leaning on his heels heading into the ramp, but then pressed too hard on his toes while in the air. The ski tips pointed down into the water and he did a face-plant in Lake Winnipesaukee and was knocked unconscious.

Full article at the Boston Globe.

My boat floating for the first time in Veteran’s Park Lagoon

Water Skiing on Veteran’s Park Lagoon in Milwaukee | Medium

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How We Got to be the First People to Waterski on Veteran’s Park Lagoon in Milwaukee

My boat floating for the first time in Veteran’s Park Lagoon

My boat floating for the first time in Veteran’s Park Lagoon (image: Joel Hughes).

By Joel Hughes

Medium

From 2010 to 2016 the quiet lagoon in the middle of Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee would transform into a premier urban waterski venue for one special weekend each year, hosting an elite professional waterskiing tournament called the Malibu Open. This tournament has since moved to another location, but for those 7 summer weekends we had something really special going on with waterskiing in the heart of Milwaukee.

A very long list individuals and corporations contributed time and money to make this amazing event happen. We played a very, very small part in comparison. Here is the story of how we helped out on one cold, windy autumn day in 2009.

Full article at Medium.

Lauren Morgan water ski jump

Lauren Morgan: Scholar, Feminist, and World Games Gold Medalist | CBS 42

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Lauren Morgan: Scholar, feminist, and World Games gold medalist

Lauren Morgan water ski jump

Lauren Morgan exits the water at Oak Mountain State Park after securing a gold medal for the US in the women’s water ski jump. (Photo by Lee Hedgepeth)

By Lee Hedgepeth

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) – Lauren Morgan didn’t know she’d be representing the United States in the World Games until three days before the international sporting competition began. She didn’t have the normal opportunity for planning or for preparation. But the world-class water skier was determined. A little panicked, too, but determined nonetheless. She wanted to win, and she knew she had the skills to get the job done.

Full article at CBS 42.

Ralph Samuelson Pioneer of Water Skiing

100 Years of Water Skiing | BoatUS Magazine

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100 Years of Water Skiing

Ralph Samuelson Water Ski Jump

Photo: The Lake City Graphic

By Zenon Bilas

BoatUS Magazine

July 2022

Way back in 1922, Ralph Samuelson, an athletic 18-year-old Minnesotan, was the first person to get up on water skis. With natural ability combined with ingenuity (and some degree of bravery), he accomplished the feat, skiing upright on Lake Pepin, a picturesque 30-mile segment of the Mississippi River.

Full article at BoatUS Magazine.