This is a story about the hard work and generosity that this distinguished club has done in the past fifteen years. I would like to showcase this barefoot club because they have gone above and beyond the call of duty. This club has hosted great international events that set a standard by which all other tournaments will be judged. This club has also contributed more to the US Elite Barefoot Team than any other organization. Their contributions to this sport are unmatched and serve as a great example for all barefoot clubs to strive to achieve.
Their History
The Upper Midwest Barefoot Water Ski Association (UMBWSA) was formed in 1987 for the purpose of promoting the sport of barefoot water skiing through the sponsorship of activities such as tournaments and clinics, working with property owners and government agencies for the development of quality skiing sites, working with area media to promote the sport of barefoot water skiing, and promoting the community of Fergus Falls. The club was incorporated and charted under the laws of the state of Minnesota on June 26, 1989 as a non-profit corporation.
The club's six founding members included:
Gary Johnson, Mike Shultz, Mark Cory, Jon Kretchman, Barry Lindblom, and Darrell Maahs
What started as six has grown to close to 50. While the vast majority of the members are from the Fergus Falls area, the club also has members from around the state of Minnesota, as well as members from Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Montana, Illinois, and beyond. Here are the marquee events that have put this club on the map and distinguish it as the greatest barefoot club in the world.
1996 World Barefoot Water-skiing Championships
2000 World Barefoot Water-skiing Championships
2001 National Barefoot Water-skiing Championships
2001 Pam AM Barefoot Championships
When this club hosted the World Championships in 1996, many didn’t know what to expect. All we knew is that some little town in the Midwest was going to try to pull off the World’s. This was the first time for me to compete at the World’s, so I was filled with anticipation. On the long drive up from Texas towing my promo boat, which was going to tow the tournament, we stopped at a truck stop for gas in northern Missouri. We knew this event was going to be something special when a truck driver asked “are you on your way up to that water ski event in Minnesota. I thought to myself wow, these guys really did a good job getting the word out.
As we pulled off the Interstate in Fergus Falls, we stopped and asked for directions to the site. The person we asked had a big smile, welcomed us to town, and pointed us in the right direction. This is how every single interaction with Fergus Falls locals would be, friendly and excited. It was overwhelming to see the amount of support this town showed for the event and all of its participants.
 The event was first class. From the opening to closing ceremonies everything was organized. The competitors from around the world were
all very impressed. The coolest thing about the competition was the introduction of live feed to the shore. Televisions were set about every one hundred feet down the shoreline. You could watch
each run on the TV, then, instead of waiting and waiting for the boat to turn around, you could sit and watch the replay on
any TV set. They had a high school multi-media team that ran cameras and they had an editor in a van that would run the re-plays.
Having the replays kept the fans much more involved and gave everyone on
the shoreline a front row seat. It was like we were all sitting in
the back of the boat with the judges.
All of the big events that the UMBWSA has hosted have been a great success, so much of a success that they have built quite a bank account. This past year, the US Elite Barefoot Team had a major shortcoming on their World Championship budget. This situation was so serious that the team was in jeopardy of not going to Austria to compete. Each skier would have to go as an independent and
cover all their own expenses. UMBWSA TO THE RESCUE!! Their club stepped up and donated a big undisclosed amount of money (in the
many thousands) to get the team up on their feet and able to go as a team to defend their world title.
The UMBWSA is an upstanding club that has worked extremely hard on hosting world-class events. They have also gone the extra mile to help the
United States of America be represented at the World Championships. These accomplishments are notable and deserve this
recognition and gratitude. As the captain of the US Team, and on behalf of the entire US Team, we are deeply appreciative and take this opportunity to thank all members of the UMBWSA as well as the fine community of Fergus Falls, MN.
FYI…Rumor has it that the UMBWSA is going to bid for the 2006 World Championships. Pending they make a bid and host it, check it out, It will make an impression on you that will last a life time.
Stokeman OUT!!!
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Hands
Down, One of the Best!