I drove into Kingsland, one of the towns that borders Lake LBJ, northwest of Austin. The bridge over the lake was the place to be for watching the local fire-works.  Literally hundreds of boats and thousands of people were on hand.  The ABC was to perform a ski show between the boat parade and the fire works.  They did a great job writing and organizing the show.  But there was one BIG PROBLEM to contend with.  Ridiculous amounts of boat rollers from every direction.  Plan A was to start the show with a huge inverted jump center stage.  Plan B was no jump and try to just survive a full pass on your feet.  It was a great opportunity for us to showcase our sport, but the conditions made it difficult to show more than face plants.

Kevin Lee one of ten to ski out the opening multi-line - Andrea pulled off a back deep - Merle pulled off a tumble turn - Rob Edgecomb and I did a flying bridge start - I planted my head on a front to smack.

After the show, equipment was collected, cold drinks where opened, and the fire works began.

Every trip to Austin includes my staying at my good friend Mark Virt's condo.  Across Lake Austin from the Hula Hut, this condo is multi-level, boat on the lift, hot-tub on the deck, killer pad.  Mark is a long time Lake Austin boater, a former D2D champ team member, and a former US Olympic diver.

Thursday and Friday morning we met at the gas station near the boat ramp on the Perdernales River.  Clinic participants were Jerry Paine, Phil Gustafson, Charles Hensley, Matt Hensley, Ed Nagy, Kevin Lee, Lee McCarty, and Allen Read all the way from New Mexico.  We went up the Perd and had awesome conditions.  The boats that were out seemed to respect our water.  What a cool spot to go foot’n.  All was good!!!  We covered tumbles, front and back ones, front and back toes, front and back wakes, and even some turns including the line step to the back.  This clinic was a great one. I always love a river atmosphere, and we had this river at its best.  Young Matt has tons of potential, and Allen may actually get some barefoot activity going in New Mexico. Everyone seemed to have a great time and everybody took home some new techniques.  It was a blast.  I look forward to my return.

One "BUMMER".  On a practice run, for the days next tournament, I yanked my knee on my basic front to front 360.  It came out of nowhere.  I think I broke focus, and initiated with my head and shoulders instead of my hips.  It’s been one week today and I’m feeling better, hoping to be 100% at the South Central Regionals on July 21st.  At least it was just a strain.  My barefoot brother Lane Bowers had a season ending elbow injury the same weekend. We wish Lane a speedy and healthy re-hab.

Over the weekend, I wish I could have been on the water at the Austin tournament. I would have made Jason Lee, who happened to be in Austin that weekend, get of his lazy butt and show up to play.  Jason was enjoying too many of Austin's extra curricular activities. 

The Austin Barefoot Club hosts their annual Barefoot Blowout Tournament at the Auquaplex private ski club & lake.  The wind was blowing as usual, but the conditions never did get out of hand.  Wakes and Tricks finished on Saturday.  I think Jimmy Taurus may have a pending Men 3 Trick Record.  The banquet was on 6th street, party central. They had a nice raffle with nice prizes.  Jumping and a pick and choose rapped up the tournament on Sunday.  Well done ABC!  It is definitely a July 4th I won‘t soon forget!!!

Stokeman OUT!!
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