"Holtzy" Mens 5 National Overall Champion

Mike's Wakes Run

Mike's Trick Run

Mike's Back to Deep Run

What got you into barefooting?
At the tender age of 31, a friend asked me to go water-skiing. Having never done that, I took him up on the offer. I learned to get up on two skis after a few tries and I was somewhat proud of the “old guy” (I was 10 years older than everybody else). Naturally, they were all skiing on one ski and I was amazed and wanted to try, but they suggested otherwise. Then late in the day when the water calmed down, they started barefooting. I was just amazed. I never heard of such a thing. This was in 1981.

How did you lean to barefoot?
The following Monday morning, I called a local “water-ski” school in Pompano, Florida and attended one ski lesson class. I took about 20 face plants as I attempted to barefoot by stepping out of a “single” ski on a 6 ft pigtail from the boom. On the last attempt, I finally barefooted for about 100 ft. Then, with a smile on my face, I took the final face plant of the day. Lesson 1 – Learn to barefoot from a “barefoot-ski” school, not a “water-ski” school!

Within a week I purchased a 13 ft boat with a 70 hp outboard motor but for some reason, when I attempted to barefoot from a kneeboard, all I got was spray on my face… but no barefooting. Since I only weighed 140 lb, I finally learned to barefoot from the kneeboard. Lesson 2 – Get the right boat for barefooting!

Who was your first barefoot instructor?
After a month of barefooting at home, I learned that there were actually barefoot competitions. What is this sport? Do people actually compete? What do they do? What are the events? So many questions, but no one had the answers. I got a lead that a World Champion barefooter lived just an hour away and his name was Mike Seiple, so I contacted him immediately and scheduled a lesson that week.

If you know Mike, he’s a pusher and within a few weeks he had me doing or attempting to do all kinds of things like starts, tumbles, crossing the wake, and even backward skiing. Within a month I was registered for my first barefoot tournament and I was committed to winning the “Novice” division.

Oh yea, I won’t go into the details about the early 1980s at Seiples’. All I can say is that what happened at Seiples stays at Seiples. Some of you reading this will know what I’m talking about.

Tell us about your first tournament.
Okay, six months of training and I’m ready for my first tournament at Melborne, Florida. I called the tournament director and made a prediction that I’ll win the Overall Novice Division!

Short version, at Brian Fuch’s first tournament, he and I had a runoff and I beat him by five points to win the Novice title!

How did you feel the first time you barefooted?
I remember the first time I barefooted forward and backward, like it was yesterday. I remember the water, the ski, the sun, and the special feeling I felt inside. I just can’t explain it. If you’ve been there, you know…

Why do you continue to barefoot?
There is something special about this sport and the people that participate in it. I’ve found that almost all barefooters have a positive attitude. They take care of their body, and are willing to share their knowledge.

I continue to barefoot because it helps me stay in shape, makes me feel great, and helps relieve stress. When I’m not skiing, I feel tight, stiff, and just not as relaxed.

Who has inspired you in this sport?
Without question it was George Blair. As a matter of fact, when I won my first National title, I sent him (and Mike Seiple) a letter thanking him for his inspiration. What I respected about George was his character, his commitment to the sport and to the people he skied with. George was always bigger than life to me – but he took the time to speak to me at the tournaments and he cared enough to get to know me and my family.

What are your goals in life?
My life is a goal. Every day and every minute I’m working toward my goals and, as I accomplish them, I set new goals. My goal was to win an Overall National Title and I have… four times! First in 1988, then 1999, 2005 and 2006.

My goal is to consistently get eight crossing forward and seven backwards and to go open (14 crossings) in 2007.

Have you held any records?
I’ve held many National records over the years. In the mid 1980s, I had the Men 3 jump record of 48 ft, and I currently hold the National records in Slalom and Tricks for Men 5.

Have you won any tournaments?
Yes, a bunch but the most memorable was my first National Title at Houston, Texas in 1988. It just felt so special to stand up before my peers to receive my National Title after seven years of tremendous effort and hard work.

What skiers have you enjoyed watching and why?
I was blessed to ski with or see all of the world’s greatest skiers. For just beauty, it was Rick Powell for tricks; Mike Seiple the first inverted jumper (I was there the first time he did it in a tournament); Ron Scarpa because of his raw skiing style and determination to win, and he’s still an amazing skier (the best barefooter of all time); Billy Nichols just because he skied for almost three hours (I’m still in awe of that accomplishment); Keith St. Onge because of his beautiful line 360’s (I was there the first time he did it in a tournament); Brian Fuch’s backward slalom pass (he actually did his transition in the air); and George Blair because at the age of 75, he would do better front toes in a tournament than I could at the age of 40!

How often do you train/ski?
When I first started, I skied every day I could and sometimes twice a day, but over the years with kids, work, and other distractions, I now only ski between the months of April through September, about three times a week, when possible.

Do you have a nickname and how did you get it?
Yes, “Holtz.” It was given to me by Mike Sieple the first year I trained under him.

Tell us about your family.
I have seven children and they are all grown up now. A grandson and another grandchild are on the way (July 2006).

What other activities do you participate in?
I race ½ scale NASCAR in Central Florida. The series is called the “Florida MiniCup Association” and the Website address is www.FloridaMiniCup.com. I’ve been doing this for about three years because I had to get out of motocross racing (way too many broken bones). The last two years I finished the season 4th overall, and this year I’m looking for the Florida title.

What do you do for a living?


I’m a writer and publisher of electrical publications, Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc. www.MikeHolt.com. I’m considered one of the top experts in the world on the National Electrical Code.

How did the 2005 barefoot season go for you?
Well, it was a great year. I skied about the National record in wakes or tricks at every tournament. I took the gold in all events at Nationals (four gold metals), and was the only skier to set two national records at Nationals. I skied a 2700 point trick run at the 2005 Regional, which qualified me to ski the 2006 Worlds in tricks!

What can we expect from you in 2006.
I hope to break my current record in Slalom and Tricks, win the Overall National Title, and ski the World Championship.

Do you have a motto?
“Do your best at all times, and don’t worry about the results.” Also, “What can I do to make things better?”

Mike 2006 National Champion	Mike and Bananna 2006
Mike Front Flyer	Mike Knee
Mike No Handle	Mike Teeth One
Mike Tumble One	Mike X Pose
Mike Holt Award