Tales from the Foot

I just saw this on USA Water Ski.  The US Barefoot Nationals are now being held at Mystic Lakes in Maize, Kansas and are taking place a week later, now from August 11 thru 15.  Here’s the official announcement from USA Water Ski:

Dates & Venue Changed For ABC Nationals

Due to severe drought conditions in central Texas, the American Barefoot Club (ABC) has announced a change in the dates and location of the 2009 Barefoot Water Ski National Championships. Originally scheduled for Aug. 4-8 at the Barefoot Ski Ranch in Waco, Texas, the 32nd annual event will now be held Aug. 11-15 (to accommodate the local organizing committee) at Mystic Lakes in Maize, Kan.

“This is relatively short notice for a local organizing committee to get ramped up for a national championships, however, the American Barefoot Club is confident with the commitments we have for support, both physical and financial, that the local organizing committee will pull together a first-class event,” said Dan Cummings, president of the American Barefoot Club.

Mystic Lakes is a two-lake site built in what was formerly a sand pit just outside Wichita, Kan. It was built into a water ski community with houses surrounding the lake. Mystic Lakes has hosted the Midwest Regional Water Ski Championships with more than 300 competitors, so it is no stranger to the logistics of putting together a large tournament.

“There are sidewalks around the lake, it has very high banks for wind protection, and a center strand between the two lakes provides for perfect spectator viewing,” Cummings said. “We will be able to jump on one lake and run slalom and tricks on the other lake. While this is certainly a change from the previously announced Waco site, I am confident it will be a great tournament and one that you will not want to miss. Mystic Lakes has hosted our Regional Barefoot Championships on multiple occasions as well as regular local tournaments.”

More than 100 athletes are expected to compete for national titles in wake slalom, tricks, jumping and overall in respective divisions.

The American Barefoot Club is one of nine sport disciplines of USA Water Ski.

Link to Article

This is especially good news for the many barefooteres that are also show skiers.  Prior to the announcement, Show and Barefoot Nationals were on the same weekend.

Update:

I recieved this in an email from the ABC President:

Barefooters,

Due to the draught we currently experiencing in Central Texas and the lack of water to make the site ski-able, this year’s Barefoot Nationals is being moved to Mystic Lakes in Wichita, Kansas.To accommodate the LOC and Homeowners association, the dates are also being moved toAugust 11-15. The date move will also resolve the conflict we had with Show Ski Nationals, which is good since most of our World Junior Team are also show skiers. 

This is relatively short notice for an LOC to get ramped up. However, we are confident, with the commitments we have for support, both physical and financial, the LOC will pull together a first class event. Mystic Lakes is a two lake site built in what was formerly a sand pit just outside Wichita in Maize, KS. It was built into a water ski community with houses surrounding the lake. Mystic Lakes recently hosted 3 event regionals with over 300 skiers. So they are no strangers to the logistics of putting together a large tournament. Wichita is centrally located in the US and is serviced by an international airport. 

There are sidewalks around the lake, it has very high banks for wind protection, a center strand between the two lakes for perfect spectator viewing. We will be able to jump on the second lake and run slalom and tricks on the other. They have hosted our Regional Barefoot Championships on multiple occasions as well as regular local tournaments.

While this is certainly a change from the previously announced Waco site, I am confident it will be a great tournament and one you will not want to miss. Waco is lining up to host next years Nationals, so we will get to experience that great site as well. We wanted to get the word out so everyone has as much notice as possible to make plans. See you in Wichita!

Dan Cummings
President, American Barefoot Club

Tags: usa water ski