Day 12: I was just happy to be here!

September 17, 2006 - Final entry of my Worlds Journal. What a wild ride it has been. Tonight was the awards banquet. It was impressive to see all the teams in their official team formal wear. Our team wore navy blue with the USA patch on the pocket. I was proud and honored to wear it.

A highlight of the evening included watching two of my favorite people get recognized for their hard work and dedication to the sport of barefoot waterskiing. Jody Sherwood won the Womens Overall. Altogether she took SIX gold medals home from this world championship... She is the first to take home that many golds from a single world competition.

And my coach, Keith St. Onge, took home the Mens Overall Championship. He had a great speech in which he thanked everyone from Swampy to his parents and Ryan Boyd. He has worked so hard for so long to reach this goal. I am so proud of him!

I want to mention a little bit about someone who wasn't at this world championship and hasn't skied a competition in 10 years but still loomed large over the event. Scott Gray.

As you know, he is the person who introduced me to Barefooting and changed my life. He was one of my very first friends in Georgia and to this day, is like a big brother to me. Before Worlds even started, I met a member of team Canada named Don Baker. He too, had been coached by Scott Gray and he had gone on to be a coach himself.

Most of team Canada yelled the signature Scott Gray yell when they jumped in the water and hollered "I love barefooting."

Also at Worlds was judge Joe Malenfant from the east who is a big fan of Scott Gray's.. and of course the new World Champion Keith St. Onge learned his turns from Scott Gray. It's a legacy that looms large.

Day 11: The Barefoot Gods Giveth

September 16, 2006 - Finals started today... Jody swept the womens events and the overall! So far she has taken home 4 golds plus our gold team medal. After the tournament organizers realized she had won the overall... a lady (pictured here) followed Jody around to check her pee for drugs. Just like the olympics!!! So Cool.

Fog and rain interrupted the finals and it truly felt like the longest day.

After competition, Mike Holt and I went to a barbeque for all the barefooters at the Lucky Eagle Casino (one of the tournament sponsors) I didn't gamble but it was good food!

I am getting really tired... I am ready to go home and start training for the next worlds!

Day 10: Wow, this is a long tournament!

September 15, 2006 - It seems like I have been away from home FOREVER! It rained a bit today... more is forecast for tomorrow.

Mike Salber is doing a great job keeping the crowds entertained by waxing poetic on the P.A. System. He is like the Howard Cosell of Barefoot Waterskiing!

The Team Overall Competition and semi-finals ended today... the USA nearly swept the team competition. The Junior team racked up about 10 personal bests but not enough points to best South Africa and Heinrich Sam.

Junior Team Overall
1) South Africa 5250.50
2) USA 5197.34
3) Australia 5061.96

Senior Team Overall
1) USA 5856.07
2) Australia 5469.35
3) Canada 4295.06

Open Team Overall
1) USA 7194.94
2) Australia 6282.65
3) Great Britain 6011.34

Jody won the Senior Womens Slalom Title!!! Yup, Jody Sherwood is a world champion! wooo hooo! I am sure she will pick up more titles tomorrow and Sunday!

Mike Salber is neck and neck with John Stecklenburg from Australia for the Senior mens overall title! The future is so bright he has to wear shades!

Keith St. Onge set a pending tricks world record today with a score of 10,850!!!!!! wooo hoooo! Keep sending winning thoughts out here!
More details tomorrow!

Day 9: The Mike, Mike & Mike Show

September 14, 2006 - The day dawned cool and cloudy but the forecasted rain and wind never materialized. In fact, it was a day made for tricking and my three favorite Mikes took to the water to take on the World.

Mike Salber was near the top of the order in the Semi-Finals of Senior Mens Tricks and he would set the bar pretty high for the rest of the competitors. After being robbed in the prelims, Salber was a man on a mission and tricked out of his mind... a personal best of 4600. He is the number one seed going into the final round on Saturday and definitely the man to beat!

Next on the water was Mike Holt... who once again needed a reride to get the correct pull for his highly technical flying back deep tumble up to one. He pulled it off again... for a nearly flawless first pass. But on his second pass, Mike fell on his positional turn. He still managed to score a 1750 (10th place) and the admiration of competitors from several continents.

After Mike came Mike Whittaker. The Wild Man from West Palm stepped on the dock intent on performing his super secret semi-final trick run with precision. He laid it all on the line and fell on the way down on his back to back 360... and fell on the way back on his front to front 360. Despite two falls he scored 2000 and 8th place in the world!

Jody and I slalomed the semi finals today.. I finished 5th with a 7.4. Jody finished first... and will be on the top of the heap for Saturday's finals.

Day 8: Weather cools as competition heats up

September 13, 2006 - It was cold and windy today... I never had less than four layers of clothing on unless I was skiing. The day started with Open Mens Tricks and Keith St. Onge setting a pending world record of 10,500. Then it was on to jumping.

It was unbelievable to be standing on shore with all of the open women! A once in a lifetime experience! But as always, my jumping is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get... today was no exception.

Mike Salber landed the jump of the day on his third attempt to move on to the finals in Senior Mens!! He was composed right up to the final moment. A great competitor, you never saw him sweat. It might have been because it was 50 degrees with arctic winds coming off the lake... but he performed like a champion today!

Brian Hetherington advanced to the finals in open mens tricks and his parents are fired up! Jody skied the semi finals in open womens slalom and senior womens trick, advancing to the finals in tricks!

Tomorrow Mike Holt and Mike Whittaker take to the water for the semi finals in Senior mens Tricks, Jody and I ski in the semi finals of womens slalom... more on the Mike and Mike show then.

Day 7: Preliminaries continue, some surprises

September 12, 2006 - Today was the first day I have not skied in at least one event. I went along to the lake to support Jody (she kicked butt by the way qualifying for semis in open womens tricks and slalom.)

It was a hot day and we all got a little sunburned. Keith St. Onge performed well in slalom. He is the world record holder after all... I believe he scored a 19.9. But in jump he barely made the cut... landing a 21 meter jump. Send some winning thoughts to KSO to support his quest for an Overall Title!

Mike Holt did a turn on the Microphone... announcing the open mens tricks competition at the end of the day.

Tomorrow I jump in the open womens division. I am a little nervous after the fiasco of Saturday. My hip is still hurting and has now turned all black and blue. UGH. And people know me, not because I skied well... but because I hurt myself. It's embarrassing.

The good news is in the Team Competition, the US is leading! So that is nice to see.

I hope to redeem myself tomorrow. Please send light thoughts my way... I need to fly high!

Day 6: Skiing in the shadow of September 11th

September 11, 2006 - The day started at Lake Silverado with a short memorial service and a moment of silence to remember the victims of September 11th. Team USA, Team Canada and Team Australia all laid flowers at the water's edge to honor the victims. Then it was on to skiing.

Today was the tricks competition for the women... Jody did awesome. She scored 2025 and is leading the pack going into the semi finals. I did my best... but not good enough. Another disappointing performance, but I laid it all out and did my first line step one foots in competition. My hip is a nightmare right now... it is all black and blue and hurts like hell. Pisses me off.

Mike Salber and Brian Heeney did super in Slalom! We are sitting very well in the team points competition. Looks like we are leading pack so far...

In the afternoon, Dr. John, Jody, Brian Heeney and I went to Winlock Practice Lake #3 and did a little slalom practice. Then we rode back to the hotel with Team Canada member Don Schwartz.

More details tomorrow... preliminaries continue!

Day 6: Mike Holt takes on the Worlds!!!!

September 10, 2006 - Mike Holt came away from his first day at the World Championships with a trick score of 2350 and a ticket to the Semi-Finals!!!

It was an amazing moment... I watched first hand from the starting dock as Mike stepped up and gave his start instructions to the boat driver from Australia. A hush fell over the competitors as Mike announced he was going to do a flying back deep tumble up to one. Everyone took a moment to watch the master! I heard one footer exclaim: "That's worth more than my whole trick run!"

The first start was slow... the driver held the 2400 rpms waaaaay too long... and Mike was immediately granted a reride. The second start was better... Mike made the start and skied flawlessly to the other end of the lake. On the way back he did well until falling on his toe hold. But he easily made the cut for the semifinals.

Mike Whittaker was next on the dock with an air of confidence. He called his speed and was off. It was a beautiful trick run in front of very harsh international judges! Mike knew he had done well and was pumping his fist in the air on the way back down the lake!!! There were congratulations all around as Mike slid into the dock and climbed out of the water. The other competitors were shaking at this point... and I am not sure, but I believe the Jamaican Barefoot Team just decided to pack up and leave!

When all was said and done, Mike had tricked his way into the semi finals with a score of 2750. Just wait until he pulls out his super secret semi final trick run! Look out Mens 4 National Record!

Jody andI slalomed today. Jody did awesome and scored an 11... she is tied for second place. I was more than a little concerned about my hip but I managed to ski slow but clean... scoring a personal best of 7.8 and a trip to the semi-finals. I am sitting in 6th place right now.

More Details tomorrow... hopefully it will be warmer. It was 41 degrees this morning. We started the day in stocking hats and coats and ended up in shorts and bikinis.

The highlight of the day was when I traded my Georgia Tech hat for a Canadian maple leaf hat from Team Canada.

Day 5: Continued... Harleys & Hip Flexors

As you know, the day started early and it was an amazing morning with the opening ceremonies! All 13 of the teams were outfitted in their colors and the flags were brought in on Harleys with a representative from every team! I was chosen to carry the US Flag which was WAAAY cool.

Then all the teams were introduced. I was once again honored to be a part of the team. Mike Holt and I still can't believe we are at the Worlds!!!

After the lunch of champions (PBJ,) Jody, Andrea and I jumped. Jody jumped great and moved on to the semi finals. As did Andrea... I did not. I can't say I am not disappointed. I hurt my hip flexor on the second jump and didn't land the third. It hurt so bad I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head. I am icing it as we speak.

Mike Salber and Brian Heeney both landed BIG jumps and will move on to the semi-finals... They are both skiing super!

Tomorrow is another day... I will do my best. Mike Holt skis tomorrow and he is fired up!!!!

Day 4: I'm just happy to be here!

September 8, 2006 - The theme so far at this world championship is "I'm just happy to be here." And today it was one of those days that really underscored what an honor it is to represent the US at this competition. It's a dream for me really. In a year of incredible lows... this is an amazing high.

I actually slept in later today 545am! A new record. I met Team Barefootwaterskier.com member Mike Holt in the lobby and we had a nice breakfast before Andrea, Jody & I headed out to Lake Silverado for jump practice. It went well. Andrea landed two of two, Jody landed one of one and I landed one of two. Yup... another TIA on the second jump (temporary idiot attack.) Mike Salber got it all together with jumping today and landed a beautiful jump!

Then we all headed over to the Winlock Lake #2 for practice. The Canadian Team tried to crowd us... but we managed to all practice in plenty of time!

Jody got her new team USA Vortex wetsuit and tested it out on Winlock. I think that new wetsuit is ALL WORLD because she skied like the champion she is!

We were done practicing by three and headed to the hotel. And then it was like Christmas!We went to American Barefoot Club President Doug Koch's room and received all of our team clothing. I almost cried when I put on the Team USA jacket we will be wearing in the opening ceremony tomorrow. It was a moment I will never forget.

Mike Holt took the whole Southern Region out for dinner for some regional bonding: Kay Wiser, Jim Boyette, Mike Salber Etc... It was fun for all!

Jody and I went to the welcoming reception at the hotel. We met some nice barefooters from all over the world. Andy Harris from Great Britain even assigned me the job of beat reporter for the worlds... I will be doing daily updates on the World Championships for Europe.

More details to come... Day 5!!!

Day 3: Magma & Lava

September 7, 2006 - I managed to sleep in until 5am today... Jody and Andrea were able to sleep much longer. The time change is still kicking my rear end.
The team headed out to Winlock Lake #2 (the team practice lake) to practice for the first time with the whole team together: Mike Salber, Brian Heeney, Andrea Eggert, Dr. John, Jody and me. I got to wear my new team eagle wetsuit (see photo below) and holy buckets... my tumble turns were faster than they have ever been! Then I worked on slalom and took a bad stinger backwards. After I put my brains back in my head.. I didn't ski all that great.

We all went to lunch and headed to Lake Silverado to jump. There wasn't much time because the New Zealand Team was about to take over the lake for team practice. Mike, Andrea and Jody jumped. I did not, which was good because I still couldn't feel my hands.

Let me take a moment to thank Team Sponsor Speedo... we got our cool Speedo backpacks yesterday full of team clothing including a swimsuit, yoga pants and shirt, track suit, shorts, flip flops, t-shirts, etc. WAAAY COOL!!!!

After jumping, Andrea, Jody and I had the explosive idea of going to see Mount St. Helens which we can see from Winlock Lake. It couldn't be that far.

We headed out and the first stop was Toledo, Washington "The Gateway to Mount St. Helen's," where we had our first kodak moment. From there, it was on to a beautiful, but long drive to the Volcano.

IT WAS SOOOO COOL! The Blast Zone is HUGE! Although it has been 26 years since it erupted, you can still see the footprint of the massive explosion.

When we finally got to the viewing point where you can see into the volcano... IT WAS STEAMING! And you could actually see the new lava dome forming in the crater. IT GROWS ABOUT 20 FEET A DAY! It's crazy. As you can see from the photo... I had to buy the t-shirt!

Jody called her husband Ron from Mount St. Helens but he didn't answer. Then she called her parents, and they weren't home. Then she called her ski buddy Chris Finn and he was in the boat with Ron so she finally got to talk to Ron from the shadow of Mount St. Helens. Verizon would be proud.

Then it was back to Olympia and the hotel. Tomorrow most of the other independent skiers arrive and competition starts Saturday. More Details to come... Day 4!

Science Fact of Day from Betsy Nye the Science Guy: Do you know the difference between magma and lava? Magma is what its called when it's underground, it becomes lava when it comes out of the ground.

Day 2: Jumping & Team Practice

September 6, 2006 - Jump, Ski, Ski - Dr. John Brownrigg and I picked Fellow Team Member Jody Sherwood up at the airport this morning and headed down to Lake Silverado for jumping practice. We were each allowed two jumps... I took three and should have stopped at two because Number 3 was a complete yard sale. Dr. John called it "TIA" or complete brain freeze.

Jody jumped great,she is rock-solid on the jump. When I grow up I want to ski like Jody! Jumping is held as kind of a first come, first served basis and unlike team practice you are mixed in with other country's competitors.

Team Canada's All-star Paul McDonald was on the dock as was some athletes from Australia. So COOL.

After jumping, we headed down to Winlock Lake #3 to practice with the Junior Team again. The water was a little chippy so I worked on slalom and even got to drive some of the members of the junior team.

About 5pm we went back to Lake Silverado for team practice on the tournament lake. IT WAS SOOOOO COLD. We the sun went behind the trees and I could not stop shivering. I worked on tricks but the time difference is kicking my butt. It was a lackluster performance.
We didn't get back to the hotel in Olympia until 930pm and at that point I couldn't even remember my name I was so tired!

BUT the cool thing is... my team wetsuit arrived!!! I will look slick tomorrow.. Day 3! More details to come!

The Team Wetsuit Arrives

I LOVE MY NEW WETSUIT! It fits... and looks so cool with my hoochie mama shoes!

I would like to thank Barefoot Central for their support of the Senior Team. I know Mike Salber has worked tirelessly to get recognition and support for the team. Thank you Chuck and Michelle Gleason for your support! We all appreciate it so much! You are the greatest!

Day 1: The World Barefoot Championships, Betsy Arrives

September 5, 2006 Olympia, Washington
Toe Hold Handles & Terrorism:
I arrived safely in Seattle despite having to bring my back toe hold handle as carry on luggage. I was sure that I would be singled out at security... surely a waterski handle could be used as a weapon more easily than toothpaste... but I breezed through the crack security screening team at the Atlanta Airport... And I do mean crack!

US Team Coach Dr. John Brownrigg picked me up at the Seattle Airport and we went directly to the US team practice lake. Winlock Lake is about two hours south of Seattle and a good jaunt from the Tournament Lake (Lake Silverado.) You can see Mount St. Helens from the lake! It was windy but I took a few runs up and down the lake. The junior team arrived after I was done and as you can see from the photo Brody Benoist and I were proudly wearing our BarefootWaterskier.com t-shirts from Nationals.

After skiing and stopping by Lake Silverado (during the Australian Team Practice) I checked into the Hotel in Olympia.
More details to come... Day 2!

2006 Barefoot Nationals a Team Success!

Team BarefootWaterskier.com walked away from the 29th annual Barefoot Water Ski National Championships in Polk City, Florida with three Overall titles and 14 medals.

More than 100 athletes competed for national titles in slalom, tricks and jumping at the five-day tournament. The American Barefoot Club, a sport discipline of USA Water Ski, served as the local organizing committee with a large amount of help from Team BarefootWaterskier.com.

In Open Pro Men, Keith St. Onge tied his world record of 20.6 points to win the slalom event. The record is pending approval. St. Onge also won tricks and overall.

In the Men’s divisions, Chris Wakefield won Men 2 tricks and overall; Mike Holt won Men 5 tricks with a national record of 2,550 points, as well as jumping and overall. Tom Gabey grabbed the silver medal in Mens 4 Jumping and Al Posada was just edged out of the medals in jumping... placing 4th.

In the Womens 3 Division, Betsy Colmant placed second in jumping, slalom and overall.

Al Posada makes his CNN debut!

Barefooter Al Posada, member of Team Cumming-on-Up, Team Nightscaping and Team Malibu Boats made his television debut on CNN's American Morning Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 8:25am ET.

Al was interviewed as part of a series on staying healthy in your 30's 40's and 50's. The segment focuses on Knee Health. The 51-year-old Mens 4 Competitor had knee surgery recently and is back on the water better than ever!

The segment includes a brief interview with Al and footage of him doing some March barefooting on Lake Lanier, Georgia. It was a cool day with 15-20 mph winds, 55 degree water and 57 degree air temperature.

Check out the video on CNN.

Get ready to get your feet WET!

Barefoot Waterskiing is the best kept secret in Extreme Sports… but we want it to be a secret no more. BarefootWaterskier.com is all about bringing the thrills and spills of this incredible sport to the world.

Think of this website as the “ESPN of the Barefooting World!”

You may have heard about it or you’ve seen people do it on the weekends… now see Barefoot Waterskiing done a completely different level… forwards, backwards and high in the air. This is your chance to learn about Barefooting… meet the team, watch the videos and hold on… you’re about to get your feet wet!