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The 33rd Annual Lake Norman New Year’s Day Barefoot Challenge will be held at Lake Norman Marina on Jan. 1. The event, which is set to begin around noon, will be hosted by Lake Norman Marina and the Carolina Show Ski Team. It is one of the longest-running and unique barefoot water ski tournaments in the world.
Approximately 30 contestants from the Carolinas and surrounding states are expected to participate in the competition, including one of the nation’s best barefoot endurance competitors currently, Seth Frase, 16, of Tega Cay, South Carolina. Frase is expected to be the top challenger of the tournament.
Competitors will earn one point for every second they stay on their bare feet, and points for their starting method and any tricks performed. The towboat pulls them in a tight circle pattern increasing the challenge and enabling spectators to keep a close eye on the action.
Former World Barefoot Champion Ron Scarpa set the course record in 1996. He combined a backward deepwater start with multiple 180 degree turns, tumble turns, one foots and a front flip in a relatively short run.
“In all my years of water skiing,” said Scarpa, “I think this is the most unique tournament I’ve seen!”
The tournament was founded in 1978 by Sherrills Ford resident Terry Cody, who sought to promote barefoot water skiing in the area. Today, the Carolina Show Ski Team continues the tradition and provides a fun mid-winter rendezvous for barefoot enthusiasts along with an interesting spectator event for residents of Lake Norman and the greater Charlotte area. The tournament is sanctioned by USA Water Ski, the national governing body of organized water skiing in the United States.
Concessions will be available at the site, and Carolina Show Ski Team skiers will be available to answer questions regarding most any aspect of water skiing.
For more information on the tournament, please contact Tournament Chairman Justin Landers by phone at (704) 572-9174 or by email at landersjl@earthlink.net. You can also check out the Carolina’s Show Ski Team website at carolinashowski.com.
