This is one of the few months we've received two letters nominating the
same footer for BFC Footer of the Month. I think Jacob is a great
choice and a perfect example of what we look for in FOMs and Footers of
the Year. I've been sponsoring Footstock for 5 years and every
year I'm there setting up, Jacob is right there asking us if we need
help doing anything. You can tell he genuinely loves being around
the sport and helping others. A GREAT choice all around......Chuck
Gleason
We're posting both letters:
Letter #1
Hi
Chuck,
Jennie Weber (Jacob’s mom) and I would like to nominate Jacob Weber for
barefooter of the month. I have known Jacob for about 4 years now and he
has definitely proven himself to be worthy of this nomination.
Jacob is from
Platteville, WI and spends his summers on Lake Lucerne in Crandon, WI.
When Jacob was 11 years old, he was a spectator at a Crandon Water Shows
ski show and saw kids barefooting that were only a little bit older than
him. After seeing this, Jacob taught himself to slalom ski and then
barefoot in a matter of only 2 weeks. Barefooting has been his passion
every since. The next summer, he joined Crandon Water Shows and has been
an asset to our club. I cannot say enough about Jacob as a skier. He is
just as strong-willed about learning new tricks as he is strong on the
water. Whether it’s barefoot line, barefoot chain, building pyramids,
jumping, doubles, or 360 around the boat, I never have to worry about
Jacob when he is on the water. He is a natural!
Jacob’s competitive
drive is something I admire about him. He has been competing in figure 8
barefoot tournaments since he learned how to barefoot. He has placed 3rd
three times in the juniors division at Manitowish Waters and has placed
2nd at Faceplant. However, 2008 has proven to be Jacob’s year as he
finished 1st place in juniors in St. Louis and 8th in the open division,
as well as 1st place in the juniors division at Footstock and an amazing
10th place in the open division at Footstock this year. Not too shabby
for someone that just turned 16 a few weeks ago!
Besides pushing
himself to be the best he can be, he has also done the same for others
as well. Jacob is always pushing me to improve my skiing and barefooting,
and is the first to congratulate me when I learn something new. He is
also great with the younger members in our ski club and spends much of
his time at practice helping them improve as skiers. Jacob is a very
dedicated and determined barefooter. He skied with Bucky Dailey, Greg
Fatla, James Weber (his older brother) and me a couple times per week at
5:30 in the morning to prepare for Footstock. Barefooting to the other
end of Lake Metonga and back (approximately 7 miles) barely left him out
of breath.
Jacob Weber should be
barefooter of the month for all of these reasons and more. He is not
only a great barefooter but also a team player and an even better
person. His awesome family, friends, and I look forward to his success
in the future.
Jenny Maloney and Jennie Weber
Letter #2
Hello
Chuck!
I would like to nominate an awesome upcoming barefooter that goes by the
name of Jake Weber. Jake is 16 years old and lives in Platteville,
Wisconsin for 9 months out of the year but then lives in Crandon,
Wisconsin for the rest of the 3 months of the summer. It’s amazing how
he went from being good to GREAT in just one year.
Over the years he has
gotten 3rd place at Manitowish Waters in 2006, 07, and 08. He has also
got second place in juniors at Faceplant last year. This year, out of
the 4 figure 8 tournaments that he attended he took first in the juniors
in 3 of them. He took first at St. Louis, Footstock, and Faceplant. At
Footstock, not only did he get first in the juniors, he also got 10th in
the open. I have never seen anybody do so much work for a tournament as
Jake did for Footstock 2008.
For 2 weeks before the
tournament, he was at the site everyday working, whether it was
de-weeding the lake, setting up the course or even getting the out
houses, he was always doing something. Jake can now do tumble turns, toe
holds and back deeps. It’s his competitive spirit and willing to try new
things that made him as good as what he is today.
I honestly think that
one day he will win Footstock. He already has gone up against some of
the best in the business and won. I could not ask for a better friend.
He puts up with me all summer and lets me use his boat. If it weren’t
for him and his family, I probably wouldn’t even be barefooting today.
He is very dedicated to the sport and deserves to be Footer of the Year.
Sincerely,
Greg Fatla
Thanks to each of you for taking the time
to nominate Jacob. I can tell already that he's going to be a
front runner for BFC Footer of the
Year. But don't count the chickens before they hatch. It's
going to be a tough race this year. Good luck Jacob!!
Chuck Gleason
BarefootCentral.com
Sanger
Boats
