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Mike
Salber, Charlene Portman, Banana George, and Keith St. Onge
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It's
not often you get to meet someone who can say they have barefoot
waterskied when they where 90 years old. As a matter of fact,
Banana George is most likely the only person on the planet that can make
that claim. Most 90 year olds are just happy to be able to get
around without the aid of a cane or wheelchair. But Banana George
is far from any normal 90 year old. He's as full of piss and vinegar
as he was when he was 40. He may move a bit slower these days, but
his mind hasn't slowed any. He's still as crazy about barefooting
and the color yellow as he ever was.
I was traveling on
business to Atlanta the week of George's 90th birthday and decided to
take the opportunity to drop in on a birthday party that USA Waterski
had planned for him. He had called me the week before to place an
ad in our Pre-owned Boats section and during our conversation, he told
me about the party and said he was looking forward to seeing all his
foot'n friends. I told him I'd try to swing by and would love to
interview him for the site if he could make the time.
We talked for a while
about the boat he was selling, and about the what his new boat was
like. He explained that he was selling his yellow 2003 Barefoot Sanger because he
was about to take delivery of his 2005 yellow Barefoot Sanger with the
new 8.1 liter 420 hp motor. Listening to him talk about his new
boat was just like talking to a guy about to take delivery of his first
boat. He couldn't wait to get it in the water and ski behind
it. Though George probably only weighs 140 lbs soaking wet, and
probably never skis much over 38 mph, he wasn't about to pass up the
extra horsepower and 50+ mph speed the new Sanger will give him. Like all of us, George wants
the biggest motor and fastest boat available. He's all about
having the best, as long as it's yellow. He'll be the
first to tell you to live life large and to the fullest. Go big or
go home as they say. Above all else, stay active.
I flew into Tampa and
planned to stay the weekend hanging out with our promo team skiers Mike
Salber and Keith St. Onge. Keith arranged to have Char Portman,
the October 2004 BFC Footer of the Month, pick me up at the
airport. He and Mike were to meet me at the USA Waterski
Headquarters and Hall of Fame, where George's party was to take
place. Char and I arrived right in time. We walked in about
5 minutes before everyone began singing Happy Birthday to George. George's
wife JoAnne and all his family were there with him to celebrate along
with the American Barefoot Club's Board of Directors and many board
members and famous USA Waterski athletes. It was a "Who's Who" of
waterskiing.
We had a great time
hanging out with all the footers and catching up with what everyone was
up to. The ABC was conducting their Winter Board Meeting, so
representatives from all the regions were on hand. As promised,
George gave us some time for an interview. He sat down with Keith
St. Onge in front of his wax statue that is on display at the Waterski
Hall of Fame. You can check out the interview by clicking on the
link below:
Click
Here to Launch Video
13.8 meg file size
We'd like to thanks George and
his wife JoAnne for sharing their time with us. We had a great
time visiting with them. Thanks to Keith, Char, Derek Koch, and Mike Salber for all your
help and for keeping us entertained the whole weekend.
Chuck Gleason
Be sure
to check out Banana George's Web Site for more information on his
birthday
Click
Here
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Banana
George's 90th Birthday Party
