by Jamie Kumlien

Every spring there is promise of an amazing ski season for every show ski club. Scripts are written, costumes are being designed, and acts are being determined. It is also the time of year that the Wisconsin Waterski Federation hosts an event called Ski Camp. I spent some time at this event this spring and it was a unique experience.

In early June this event is held at Traxler Park in my hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin. The goal is to provide mentoring to ski teams that are interested. The teams come to the host site, and every area of their show/ performance is watched. It is a time when there are no team barriers, there is only skiers, drivers, announcers, judges, and everyone else that makes a show ski performance exist.

The goal of the weekend is to help the participating teams gain knowledge. Instructors/ mentors are brought in to work individually with everyone from the ballet line skiers to the boat drivers. Announcers work with other announcers, judges are brought in to help the teams understand the elements of the shows that are being scored, and boat drivers ride alone with other teams to work on multi boat patterns. Participating teams put on their show, and then are given a critique and list of suggestions to improve their performance.

It is one of the coolest events that I have been around. The atmosphere is so positive, there is no competition, no boundaries. For one weekend we are all just skiers. Connections are made, and friendships are developed that last a long time. It was great to talk with other show footers and hear about their plans for the upcoming season. Things that have been successful, and the things that have not quite made it.

As I interacted with the unique group of bare footers present, it was clear that we all had many things in common. We laughed about some of our most spectacular crashes, and took pride in the fact that no water is too rough to go out there and give it a try. A uniquely crazy group of individuals who definitely embrace the new concepts that Freestyle Barefooting is unveiling.

It is also a time to talk about new equipment. It was nice to be able to show off our new Eagle club suits. They not only look amazing, but perform equally as well. Teams compare other equipment, prefab pyramid stands are compared, ropes are looked at, skiers ask about costumes, and every item that is used is discussed on some level. Things are compared and discussed from twinks(this connects multiple groups of ropes for those who do not speak show ski) to speaker systems.

All in all this is an event that has a sole purpose of growing a sport and encouraging a future. That is by far the best part. It is also one of the things that keeps show skiing so strong in my home state of Wisconsin. Kudos to the WWSF (Wisconsin Water Ski Federation) for your hard work! As the season begins, anything is possible.