Barefoot Waterskier

Team BarefootWaterskier.com/team Nightscaping is gearing up for the 2009 season with new tricks and new goals!

Reigning World Barefoot Waterski Champion and World Record Holder Keith St. Onge will be making his annual appearance at Lake Lanier May 18-24, 2009. There is no better way to learn than from the very best barefooter in the entire world. We've just started taking reservations. Email ERICCORYER@GMAIL.com TODAY!

NEW YEARS DAY 2009: COLD & COMPETITIVE

Al Posada is calling it the BEST New Years Day tournament EVER!

Five members of Team Cumming-on-up gathered on Posada’s dock January 1, 2009 to bring in the New Year by taking a “friendly” barefoot run on Lake Lanier. The day dawned cold and clear with air temperatures in the 20’s and water temperatures in the 40’s. But the smack talk was smoldering before Chris Wakefield even stepped on the dock in his Girlie Boots.

Chris borrowed his wife boots and donned just about all of his fancy snow skiing gear and showed up at the dock with his mouth in high gear. Wakefield had a plan to “open a can” on his fellow barefooters and win the $125 prize. He had his dry suit, his wet suit and was ready to rock and roll.

Eric Coryer was the defending champion and walked to the dock with a can of gas and a quiet confidence. Coryer was certain he was going to capture the big money and bragging rights once again. He has spent much of the year working out and juicing up on his new vitamins.

Lake Lanier Legend Mike Crawford decided to make a guest appearance in the boat this year… and was silently formulating a plan for victory. His experience and cunning made him an unknown factor in the battle for first and no one was counting him out! Crawford is capable of anything.

Host and perennial favorite Al Posada walked to the dock knowing he is always the man to beat on New Years Day. With the size of a Chihuahua and the determination of a Clydesdale, Posada can outlast and outwit anyone, anytime.

Betsy Anderson was only woman in the competition and was still recovering from an ankle injury. Retribution was on her mind.

Al had everyone draw straws before leaving the house and the order was set. Al was first out of the gate, then Eric, Chris, Mike and last, but not least, Betsy.

But before the boat even started… negotiations began over the rules. Eric wanted gloves, beanies and heater shirts allowed if a skier went in a wetsuit… but was voted down. Al had wanted to give Betsy extra points off the top because she is a girl… but Betsy told the boys “I do not want any special treatment… you can take that 750 points and stick it where the sun don’t shine!”

The rules were decided on per Posada:

- Everyone gets ONE run behind the boat
- No “do-overs” without a unanimous decision in the boat
- 2000 point bonus for going wetsuit only
- Tricks scored per ABC rules
- 200 points for every minute behind the boat
- 50 points for every one foot wake cross
- 25 points for two foot wake cross
- 10,000 points for going in underwear only
- No Crying

And then-- game on.

Al hit the water first… in a wetsuit, no gloves, no beanie and almost NO nose tape (luckily he remembered at the last moment.) The air had warmed to about 36 degrees when Posada entered the frigid lake and the wind was starting to increase.

Al started forward and put up a respectable score while turning purple in the bitter wind. He held on for the longest run of the day and definitely set the bar high for the rest of the team:

2,000 for going in wetsuit
225 Tricks
473 (for holding on for 2:22 minutes)
TOTAL=2,698

Eric also decided to go in his wetsuit but started with a back deep. The water took his breath away when he rolled over but Coryer upped the ante by about 100 points. He held on for just 24 seconds but managed to score 700 trick points before falling on his second back toe hold.

2,000 for going in wetsuit
700 Tricks
80 (for holding on for :24 seconds)
TOTAL=2,780

Chris decided to go for broke. He stripped down to his underwear and used Betsy’s Mossy Oak duct tape is to protect his hole. Wakefield was trying to avoid a lake water enema. His plan was to get up going forwards and grab the 10,000 point bonus!

But just before Chris got in the lake, Al and Eric noticed illegal padding in his underwear… a neoprene glove! After much wrestling and accusations, Chris decides to go in his wetsuit. Wakeboy got up backwards and got in the line step position doing a one foot, one foot, hop and fall. But it was enough to beat Al & Eric and take the lead by about 100 points:

2,000 for going in wetsuit
800 Tricks
73 (for holding on :22 seconds
TOTAL= 2,873

MIKE CHILLIN ON THE BOAT AFTER HIS FIRST RUN

Mike Crawford showed the boat why he is the man, the legend, of Lake Lanier Barefooting. Crawford decided to risk hypothermia and losing his boxers and go in his underwear to grab 10,000 points and the lead. He used up the rest of Betsy’s Mossy Oak duct tape on his boxers to protect his hole and wore Al’s speedo over that. He dove into Lake Lanier like it was summer! The boat was in awe. Crawford missed his first back deep because of boat driver error. He took a hot shower and got a second chance in some calmer water. AND BEAT THE REST OF THE BOYS TO TAKE THE LEAD!

10,000 points for going in underwear
200 for back deep start
40 (for holding on for :12 seconds)
TOTAL= 10,240

Betsy had to go big or go home and the duct tape was gone. Plus, unlike the men… she had chest appendages to deal with for the back deep start. She made the decision to wear Chris' underwear with Al's suit over them. Mike thought she would never go backwards with just a bikini top on! It was cold and the start was torture on the 34-D’s, but Betsy made the back deep and rode down the lake with her bikini top around her neck and a smile on her face. She let go when Al shut the boat down. Black and Blue but victorious! SHE BEAT THE MEN!

10,000 points for going in underwear
200 Back deep start
125 (for holding on for :34)
TOTAL=10,325

FINAL STANDINGS:
1) BETSY
2) CRAWFORD
3) CHRIS

It was a day for all women to stand up and talk a little smack. And Betsy did… and will for the next year. Al Posada commented on how the New Year’s Day tournament will never be the same… the bar has been raised forever.

2008 HOTLANTA BAREFOOT CHALLENGE

The Hotlanta Barefoot Challenge in being called a success after a weekend of footin' fun on Lake Frances.

About 17 barefooters from across the south gathered at the The Lake in the ATL to trick, slalom and jump. Robbie Schulz from South Carolina and Pat Dalton from Florida were the brand new skiers on the dock and performed like champions! Vanisa Hickman also hit the water after a 10-year hiatus!

Other notable performances of the day:
Al Posada jumped 11.1 meters (the longest jump of the day)

Chris Wakefield tricked 2450 in the second round of Tricks.. just 100 points away from qualifying for worlds.

Ronnie Meeks turned in a near perfect trick pass of 1900 points, plus passed his Senior Driver test

Mike Holt jumped over 11 meters.. close to his goal of 12.7

Andrea Eggert jumped 8.1 meters and tricked 1400 points

Don Simon skied in pain and kicked butt anyway

Al Hagar won Mens 6 Tricks and Overall

Tom Gabey got beat by a girl in Slalom.. scoring a 7.1

Jay Hickman scored more than 1805 in tricks

Richard Hudson beat his buddy Jay Hickman in Slalom

Tim Collette drove all night, replaced all the tires on his RV between Ocala and Valdosta and still won the Mens 2 Overall

Char Portman kept everybody safe despite thunderstorms in the area

Eric Coryer scored a solid 10.6 in Slalom, 10.2 in Jump and 1700 in Tricks to kick his buddy Chris Wakefield's hiney.

Full Results Slalom Tricks Jump
Mens 2
1) Tim Collette 5.0 705

Mens 3
1) Eric Coryer 10.6 1700 10.2
2)Chris Wakefield 0.0 0/2450 10.3
3) Pat Dalton 3.1 310

Mens 4 -
1) Ronnie Meeks 5.5 1900 10.2
2) Jay Hickman 4.1 1805
3) Robbie Schulz 3.1 370

Mens 5 -
1) Thomas Gabey 7.1 1295 9.9
2) Al Posada 0.0 625 11.1
3) Richard Hudson 1.0 220

Mens 6 -
1) Al Hagar 2.5 575
2) Don Simon 2.4 300

Womens 3
1) Andrea Eggert 4.6 1400 8.1
2) Betsy Anderson 7.4 1100

Updated on 08/28/2009 09:24 PM by admin