Today I'm interviewing Niki Soubliere. Niki is a college student at Florida Southern. She is one of very few young women who are active in the sport of competitive barefoot waterskiing.

Stokeman: How is everything going these days?

Niki: Pretty good, just trying to make a little money this summer because this past year I found out what it really means to be a poor college student!

Stokeman: What is it like going to school at Florida Southern?

Niki: I really liked the school and I met a lot of great people. Before going to Florida Southern I was a little hesitant to go to a small school, but now after experiencing it I couldn’t imagine going to a big university.

Stokeman:  I have friends that have gone to college in Florida hoping to foot all the time with good footers on great water. Each of them have been a little disappointed with the water time they actually gained by moving to Florida for school. What is your experience so far?

Niki: That’s exactly what happened with me, being on the three event team at school made it a little hard to find time. Also, I had knee surgery in December so I had to take some time off to recover from that.

Stokeman:  What are your plans for the summer?

Niki: I plan to compete in plenty of barefoot tournaments along with doing a little three event training to get ready for next year.

Stokeman: A college barefoot babe like you has got to have men chasing you. You know that most guys who barefoot want a girl who barefoots. Is there a special someone in your life?

Niki:  Well, I have met a lot of great people at Florida Southern and at this time yes there is someone special in my life.

Stokeman: He is a lucky man. Many of our readers just got bummed. Is there anything about Niki of interest you would like us to know about?

NIki:  No, not really. I’m just a normal 19 year old girl trying to have fun and living life to its fullest!

Stokeman: How much more footin’ are we going to see out of you?

NIki: This year I would like to start working on some new things, which I was unable to do last year due to injuries. So depending on how that goes will depend on how much of a competitor I will be.

Stokeman: Thanks for your time Niki. We look forward to seeing you at tournaments this summer. Is there anyone you would like to thank?

Niki: Of course, I would like to thank my sponsors Intensity wetsuits, Sanger Boats and Cascade Helmets for their continuous support I really appreciate it! I would also like to thank my family, I love you guys very much and thank you for all you have done for me and still continue to do for me. Furthermore, I would like to thank Jon Kretchman for being a great coach to me for so many years. Also, I would like to thank people like you Paul who continuously are trying to get the sport of barefoot waterskiing known to the public. Oh and I would like to thank the Midwest Region for always being so supportive and making the tournaments so much fun, "We’re all just one big family up here"