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WATERSKI MagazineAthletes and artists have something in common. They can often trace their own performance history through events and people who influenced them in a major way. It is well-documented that performers such as Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry influenced modern rock-and-roll artists. Bob Dylan influenced The Beatles and they, of course, influenced everyone else. Events and people shape our lives.
The diamond anniversary of water skiing gives me cause to look back and answer the question, “What events and people stimulated and molded my skiing life?” As I gaze down the wake of my water skiing journey, there are numerous memorable forces responsible for my choices and my destiny. I invite you to look in your skiing rearview mirror too, and remember the impact of significant people and events in your skiing career.
THE FOUNDATION
There is nothing like early success to ignite a burning passion in a wanna-be champion. Lake Koronis in Paynesville, Minnesota, was the site of my first attempts at barefooting and jumping. I was 21 years old and extremely eager. My very first attempt at each of these disciplines was successful. I assumed there were no boundaries from that moment on. While these successes created some illusions about the ease of this sport (I spent the entire year learning to run the slalom course), they also opened my heart to the possibilities, and that's all that mattered.
What was the event or organization that sparked your passion for more?
THE HEROES
The influence of people is different than the influence of events. Their impact is not always immediate, but their long-term power is undeniable. In my second year of skiing passion, a week of ski school in Florida with the legendary Ricky McCormick provided an unexpected invitation. Ricky had to attend a photo shoot in Winter Haven, Florida, and asked if I would like to ride along. Little did I know it was the 1974 catalog shoot for MasterCraft Boats. I spent the weekend with Ricky, Liz Allan, Kris LaPoint, boat driver Jack Walker and MasterCraft president Rob Shirley. That photo shoot at Cypress Gardens opened my eyes to the heroes of skiing. They were real people, whom I developed friendships with and patterned my skiing after. Ricky's trick style became the model for my own mental picture as a competitor. Little did I know that Kris LaPoint was coaching a skier in California who would later become my wife. Six years later, Liz Allan completely re-taught me how to jump, paving the way for a national record.
Certainly you were motivated by heroes. Perhaps you should give them a call and tell them about it.
THE STRUGGLES
There was a time when progress seemed nonexistent. My skiing hit a Nebraska-size plateau. Not only was I stuck in practice, but my tournament performances were filled with disappointing falls. Would I ever accomplish what I dreamed about? Then one day in West Palm Beach, Florida, in May 1983, it happened. No, not the performance I wanted, but the end of the “victim cycle.” After another early crash-and-burn tournament score, I got fed up with myself and stopped blaming everything else. It was a turning point because I took responsibility for my future performances. The time had come to take charge and solve my problems instead of waiting for them to go away.
If you ever hit a turning point, it's probably a crystal-clear memory and a story worth sharing with someone who is struggling now.
THE VICTORIES
Winning a national overall title, like coming in first in anything, can be the ultimate confirmation of months and years of hard work. It is the proof of, “I can do it.” It completes the circle of confidence needed to excel. When it happened for me, I exclaimed, “I did it!” and I knew I could do it again. So new goals were set and the journey continued. Those moments of victory, savored on a Sunday afternoon with friends and family, will never be forgotten. Not surprisingly, it was August of 1983, three-and-a-half months after my decision to take charge. Five more consecutive titles followed that breakthrough.
What victories have you enjoyed? It might be anything for which you have worked and struggled – a slalom pass, a new trick, or even a deepwater start on one ski. Think back to how you felt when victory was finally yours. Who was there to enjoy the moment with you? Get together with those folks and reminisce about their victories and yours. Relive those magical moments, look forward to your skiing future, and tip your ski to Ralph Samuelson's victory.
