During my visit to New Zealand to cover the World Championships, I had the pleasure of staying with the Groen family.  The family consists of parents Fred & Brenda, and children Ryan-19, Mitch-17, Tyler-15, and Georgia-12.  The entire family is into barefoot waterskiing and living on a private ski lake has afforded the kids a perfect place to hone their barefoot skills.

Growing up in a family with a dad and 3 older brothers that constantly push each other to trick better, wake faster, and jump inverted is a tough place for a little girl.  One would easily understand if this Georgia wanted to go off and do her own thing like play with Barbies or put on make-up, or any other thing normal little girls do.  But Georgia decided to take the path less traveled.  She skis right along with her older brothers and is as competitive as they are.  She thrives on learning a new trick before her brothers and skis every opportunity she gets.  While the boys are sleeping, playing computer games, or chasing girls, you'll find Georgia on the water with her dad learning toe-ups, back ones, front one foot wakes, and all the fundamental tricks that make for a solid foundation for the advanced tricks that are yet to come.  And just because she's a girl, doesn't mean she gets to train easier than her borthers.  Her father doesn't cut her any slack.  He's constantly reminding her that if she expects to ski as good as her brothers, she has to train like them and take the same amount of hits they took learning the tricks.  Being weak, or wanting to give up is NOT an option.  Champions do what is necessary to be the best.  When asked if she'd like one more run, Georgia smiles, grabs the handle and says "hit it dad!" 

At the Groens, the kids train hard and play hard.  The kids are always cracking jokes on each other, picking on each other, laughing and having a good time.  Mom & Dad are constantly giving them words of wisdom on everything from how to learn a trick to how to interact with others, travel, running a business, school work, getting a job, you name it.  Fred and Brenda have plenty to do around the house and lake and they make sure all the kids understand they all have to contribute equally to keep the place running smoothly.

Georgia has just competed in her first Junior Worlds and is already looking at going to Germany in 2010.  In the meantime, she'll be honing her basic 3-event skills and picking up some more Freestyle skills along the way to impress her brothers with.  She says she wants to be the first Freestyle girl to do all the cool tricks Andre & Zane are doing.  With what we've seen from her so far, I have no doubt we'll be seeing switch blades and hand stands from her in years to come. 

Congratulations Georgia.  I enjoyed meeting and skiing with you.  Keep up the good work.  Keep stylin and profilin!

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