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If your idea of waterskiing is someone towed behind a 35 h.p. outboard with a couple of wooden planks strapped to their feet, grabbing a whole 6 inches of air by jumping the wake, you're in for a shock! The USA Water Ski Championships brings you the high-flying aerobatics of the nation's top water skiers, wakeboarders and hydrofoilers; extreme athletes whose waterborne exploits are as exciting as they are risky.
USA Water Ski Championships is a series of specials sanctioned by "USA Water Ski*," the governing body for organized water skiing in the United States. The largest water skiing association in the world, "USA Water Ski" promotes the growth and development of recreational water skiing, and presides over the sport of competitive water skiing.
Scheduled so far...
The 2006 Malibu Division 1 Ski Show National Championships
14 teams from across the US compete for the coveted Ski Show National Title from Janesville, Wisconsin. The very best in ski show. A combination of ballet, gymnastics and figure skating while running a marathon. The Ski Show Nationals presents the dynamic energy of team competition, with tricks, pairs, jumps and human pyramids that reach high into the sky. In the end, one will be called the champion, but in order to reach that coveted trophy, they will have to best 13 other teams striving for the same goal.
The 2006 Barefoot World Championships
For the first time, the biennial Elite (Open) Barefoot Water Ski World Championships are held simultaneously with the biennial Junior and Senior Barefoot Water Ski World Championships. The top barefoot water skiers in the world come together in raw and intense competition. More than 130 athletes from 13 countries will be competing for World titles in slalom, tricks and jumping at Lake Silverado in Adna, WA. The US elite team will be led by the current slalom record holder, Keith St. 0nge. The world record holder in tricks, Andre DeVilliers, from the Republic of South Africa will be dazzling the crowds with 180 degree turns and somersaults. The action takes place on the 2,675-foot Lake Silverado, lined by 1,400 trees and will be the longest private ski lake to have ever hosted a world championship event.
SportStuff Chain Reaction Wakeboard Championship
Wakeboarders ride what looks like a skateboard on steroids in an exciting competition that's a lot like snowboarding on water. Seasoned pros, along with first time pro competitors will be taking on the challenging course at world famous Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida. Only the most solid competitors have made it through the rigorous qualifying heats and semi-finals to guarantee you maximum excitement!
SportStuff Chain Reaction Hydrofoil Championship
A hydrofoil is a water ski with a big difference – attached to the top is a seat, and attached to the bottom is a 28" hydrofoil with fins that lift the rider and ski out of the water, enabling him to do unbelievable aerial tricks, sometimes soaring as high as 25 feet in the air! The country's top hydrofoilers, like Geno Yauchler, Kevin Thayer and Jake Bradley, execute some of the most amazing acrobatic tricks on water – with names like Skidder, MacThruster, Rodeo, Undertaker, Floater, and yes, the Flying Chicken!
USA Water Ski Hall of Fame Show
The Water Channel goes inside the USA Water Ski organization to see what makes it so amazing and so vital. There are special interviews with representatives of USA Water Ski and the American Water Ski Educational Foundation, as well as take an inside look at the Water Ski Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
*The sport discipline organizations that make up "USA Water Ski" are: American Water Ski Association, American Barefoot Club, American Kneeboard Association, National Collegiate Water Ski Association, Water Skiers with Disabilities Association, National Water Ski Racing Association, National Show Ski Association, USA Wakeboard and United States Hydrofoil Association.
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Heather Adams
Commentator
Busy Heather Adams is a graduate of the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts and has hosted Speedzone on OLN, Competition H2O on the Water Channel, and now, their coverage of USA Water Ski competitions. Heather says her companion's enthusiasm makes her job easy. "Everyone involved with USA Water Ski is so passionate, it's contagious! I love being outdoors in the sun, by the water and being surrounded by friendly, driven and talented individuals!"
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Hank Longo
Commentator
A champion water skier himself, Hank Longo has announced more ski tournaments than anyone in the sport; including every major pro tournament in the U.S. In addition, he's the Chairman for the "Announcers Association" for the USA Water Ski association and as such, interviews all Inductees into the Hall of Fame. Hank is also one of the top skiers in the U.S. and World in his division and set a world stunt record on ABC TV's That's Incredible! He's a 2006 Inductee into the Minnesota Water Ski Hall of Fame and co-host of PGTV Sports Central.
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Mark Jackson
Commentator
Mark Jackson is also a former water ski champion – he was the Pro Freestyle Champion in 1982, a 2-time Skier of the Year at Cypress Gardens, and a 2-time All American Adagio Doubles Champ who's been inducted into the Wisconsin Water Ski Hall of Fame. A busy color commentator, Mark appears regularly on ESPN, ESPN II, OLN and various other syndicated sports shows. He also is the anchor/host of PGTV Sports Central and WLKF Sports Central radio, and has written dozens of articles about water skiing and boating for national publications.
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