I went to the Footin’ (that’s how we say Footing down South) on the Curve Tournament!  I was especially excited about this tournament because the show ski team I ski with, The Carolina Show Ski Team was hosting it. This tournament had two divisions, Heads up (double elimination) and tricks. I skied tricks. 

When I arrived at Windjammer Park, the water was flat and the air was perfect, but not for long. The sky began to get cloudy and gray, but it was my turn to ski behind a brand new Sanger.  I asked for medium up to 40 mph so I could do my front one foots, sit down-stand up, and waves. For the next pass I asked for slow, medium, hot up to 38 mph to go backwards. The pulls by Bryan Holton were absolutely perfect. My run went off without a hitch.  I was very pleased with my run and so was my coach Carl Rubidge. He was hugging all over my mother and screaming “Go Marissa! Go Barefoot Girl!” He was really proud and so were my parents. 

I came in 4th. Ronnie Meeks took First with a score of over 2,000 points, Carl Rubidge took 2nd with 900 points, and Shannon Miller took 3rd with 580 points. 

One observer of the competition commented that this is probably the only sport that competitors coach and help one another on the dock. I agree. It’s pretty cool when your very own competitor is so willing to help you out. 

After the Tricks division was the Heads Up division. The competition was fierce. The barefooters went head-to-head in a battle of endurance. They first agreed upon a speed, and then skied a big circle. The first one down lost, and the other barefooter would advance. Seth Frase, an eleven year old boy, took first in Heads Up and Melissa Barrett took 2nd.

Footin’ on a Curve was a whole lot of fun. It was like hanging out with a bunch of friends who all loved to do the same things you do. I encourage other barefooters (especially from the southern USA) to come. Footin’ on a Curve is a great warm-up fun tournament to start off the season!

Toes Up!
Marissa Williams 
Marissa@BarefootCentral.com

Thanks so very much to my sponsors: Barefoot Central, Eagles Sports, and US Gear!