2022 News & Events
Vintage Water Ski Auctioned For Barb Miller Scholarship
2022 IWSA Fall Awards Banquet Wrap Up
After a 2 year absence, the Indiana Water Ski Association revived their annual Fall Banquet and Awards ceremony. The event was held at the North Side Events and Social Club on East 71st Street in Indianapolis. An overflow crowd honored 15 awardees plus Hall of Fame Inductees Mike and Patty Patterson. Another notable award went to the McGavic Family of the Kokomo Ski Club, which attended in force. Also noteworthy was an award to Lance Smith (barefooter) of LD Smith Plumbing as Sponsor of the Year.
Congratulations to all awards recipients!
Congratulations to all awards recipients!
Casey Contos Skis Second Place In 55K West
Big shout out to Casey Contos for his placement over the weekend. He's moving up the podium in these 55K WEST cash prize head-to-head events. Placing fourth, third, and now second in the last three WEST tournaments. This past weekend at Swiss, he faced fellow Indiana skier, Chris Clark, in the sweet sixteen, and former Indiana, (and fellow Emerald Lake), skier, Noah Vieke, in the elite eight.
Kim is a proud Papa!
Congratulations, Casey!
Kim is a proud Papa!
Congratulations, Casey!
2022 IWSA Awards Banquet Info
2022 IWSA Water Skier Awards Nominations
2022 IWSA Awards Banquet
Be sure to join us to celebrate Mike and Patty Patterson for the IWSA Hall of Fame!
More details will be coming soon!
More details will be coming soon!
Boondocks Lake Tournament Wrap Up
Owner, Scott Morton and Chief tournament director, Neal Clark must have paid homage to forces above on Saturday because the Boondocks Lake tournament day was absolutely perfect. It was perfect sunny September weather, perfect water conditions, perfect skiing, just plain outstanding! The hospitality lunch provided at the break was a real treat! It was rewarding to see some local Boondocks skiers competing, and great to see Megan Lambert, who flew in from Florida for the event. Even though Charlie Cross achieved a "PB", he was unable to cash in on a wager with Neal! The Boondocks tournament was the last of the 2022 season, but mark your calendars now for the upcoming annual IWSA Awards Banquet, scheduled for Saturday, November 5th, 2022!
New Tournament Announcement
Surprise! Surprise!
Looks like water skier Neal Clark has gathered some water ski friends together and are going to do one more event of the 2022 season!
Boondocks Lake will be hosting a "C" tournament on September 10-11, 2022. Here's an opportunity to accumulate a score for next season plus get together with ski friends one more time.
Find all information and register online at USAWaterski.org.
Looks like water skier Neal Clark has gathered some water ski friends together and are going to do one more event of the 2022 season!
Boondocks Lake will be hosting a "C" tournament on September 10-11, 2022. Here's an opportunity to accumulate a score for next season plus get together with ski friends one more time.
Find all information and register online at USAWaterski.org.
Champion Lake Fall Record Wrap Up
The Champion Lake Fall Record got off to a late start due to technical difficulties on Sunday, but all was fixed and the day began. Perfect weather conditions and "orange peel" surface on the water made for some extreme scores. Philippa Shedd skied a W6 National Record - 4 1/2 @ 38, congratulations to her! Sadly, this may have been the final Indiana Water Ski Tournament of the 2022 calendar year. Mucho thanks to the officials and Champion Lake residents who made this event possible.
Sawmill Wrap Up
Jerry Williams Obituary
JERRY WILLIAMS OBITUARY
Family man, friend, businessman and philanthropist, Jerry Lee Williams of Tampa, Florida, passed away at age 89 on April 10, 2022. By his side was his devoted wife Jane (Jones) of 66 years and his loving family.
Jerry's life was an amazing journey, highlighted by a rewarding career, many avocations, a deep commitment to philanthropy and a lifelong dedication to his family.
The cornerstone of his life was Jane – his girlfriend in Elkhart, Indiana, and sweetheart at DePauw University (1954). After graduating in 1956 with an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he and Jane married and moved to Tampa where Jerry began his career in the investment industry incorporating his own business, Jerry Williams & Co. in 1957, the predecessor of Williams Securities Group Inc. to provide market making and research for Florida domiciled publicly traded companies. He was a trailblazer when he obtained the first NASDAQ machine in the State of Florida. Jerry was particularly proud of the investment returns of the firm's clients. In 1980 he served as President of the Florida Securities Dealers Association. In 1990, Jerry was elected to the Board of Governors of the National Association of Securities Dealers. One of the true highlights of his career was the opportunity to work alongside his son, Brooke, daughter, Brynne and son-in-law Eric Ebbert.
Jerry was born in Elkhart, Indiana, on Sept. 14, 1932, son of Rollie and Bea Williams, founders of Rollie Williams Paint Spot, which was purchased by Jerry's cousin, Jimmy Curtis (deceased), and remains in the Curtis family today.
In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by his sister, Sharon Williams Ubben; his three children and nine adored grandchildren; and cousins Tom Curtis (Nancy), Dave Curtis, Stephanie Curtis (Paul Piro) and Michelle Curtis Payne (Tom).
Waterskiing and boating, beginning on the St. Joe River in Elkhart, were a family passion. He and his father built the first water ski jump on the river. In his early 20s he was Midwest Water Ski Trick Riding Champion. He and Jane loved wind-in-face sports – trips from Florida to the Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda and Maine on their boats as well as family snow skiing vacations, whitewater canoeing and transatlantic crossings. They visited all seven continents – polar bears to icebergs, bicycling in Europe to rounding Cape Horn, African safaris to Japan and China – they did it all.
Playing his trumpet or cornet and singing were hallmarks of Jerry's life. Jerry always had his pocket trumpet in his suitcase. He had the honor to play with jazz greats Sir George Shearing, Joe Venuti and John Pizzarelli. In addition to these musicians, Jerry, was invited by Dennis Connor, skipper of Stars and Stripes, to join the syndicate's spectator boat in Fremantle, Australia, to play "California Here I Come" as the team brought back the America's Cup in 1987.
Jerry's donation of time and financial support to the Tampa community were paramount. He served as board member and chair, The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay; board member and chair, United Way Suncoast; board member, The Straz Center for the Performing Arts; board member, University of South Florida Foundation; Capital Campaign Committee, DePauw University; and trustee, The Tampa General Hospital Foundation. Recently, Jerry and Jane donated their collection of Sammy Davis Jr. musical scores to The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. Jerry was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Tampa. It was at St. John's Episcopal Church in Elkhart where Jane and Jerry met.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following: Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, United Way Suncoast, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, DePauw University, or a charity of your choice. RIP Jerry, you are loved and Safe In Port.
Published by The Elkhart Truth on Apr. 19, 2022.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/elkharttruth/name/jerry-williams-obituary
Family man, friend, businessman and philanthropist, Jerry Lee Williams of Tampa, Florida, passed away at age 89 on April 10, 2022. By his side was his devoted wife Jane (Jones) of 66 years and his loving family.
Jerry's life was an amazing journey, highlighted by a rewarding career, many avocations, a deep commitment to philanthropy and a lifelong dedication to his family.
The cornerstone of his life was Jane – his girlfriend in Elkhart, Indiana, and sweetheart at DePauw University (1954). After graduating in 1956 with an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he and Jane married and moved to Tampa where Jerry began his career in the investment industry incorporating his own business, Jerry Williams & Co. in 1957, the predecessor of Williams Securities Group Inc. to provide market making and research for Florida domiciled publicly traded companies. He was a trailblazer when he obtained the first NASDAQ machine in the State of Florida. Jerry was particularly proud of the investment returns of the firm's clients. In 1980 he served as President of the Florida Securities Dealers Association. In 1990, Jerry was elected to the Board of Governors of the National Association of Securities Dealers. One of the true highlights of his career was the opportunity to work alongside his son, Brooke, daughter, Brynne and son-in-law Eric Ebbert.
Jerry was born in Elkhart, Indiana, on Sept. 14, 1932, son of Rollie and Bea Williams, founders of Rollie Williams Paint Spot, which was purchased by Jerry's cousin, Jimmy Curtis (deceased), and remains in the Curtis family today.
In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by his sister, Sharon Williams Ubben; his three children and nine adored grandchildren; and cousins Tom Curtis (Nancy), Dave Curtis, Stephanie Curtis (Paul Piro) and Michelle Curtis Payne (Tom).
Waterskiing and boating, beginning on the St. Joe River in Elkhart, were a family passion. He and his father built the first water ski jump on the river. In his early 20s he was Midwest Water Ski Trick Riding Champion. He and Jane loved wind-in-face sports – trips from Florida to the Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda and Maine on their boats as well as family snow skiing vacations, whitewater canoeing and transatlantic crossings. They visited all seven continents – polar bears to icebergs, bicycling in Europe to rounding Cape Horn, African safaris to Japan and China – they did it all.
Playing his trumpet or cornet and singing were hallmarks of Jerry's life. Jerry always had his pocket trumpet in his suitcase. He had the honor to play with jazz greats Sir George Shearing, Joe Venuti and John Pizzarelli. In addition to these musicians, Jerry, was invited by Dennis Connor, skipper of Stars and Stripes, to join the syndicate's spectator boat in Fremantle, Australia, to play "California Here I Come" as the team brought back the America's Cup in 1987.
Jerry's donation of time and financial support to the Tampa community were paramount. He served as board member and chair, The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay; board member and chair, United Way Suncoast; board member, The Straz Center for the Performing Arts; board member, University of South Florida Foundation; Capital Campaign Committee, DePauw University; and trustee, The Tampa General Hospital Foundation. Recently, Jerry and Jane donated their collection of Sammy Davis Jr. musical scores to The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. Jerry was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Tampa. It was at St. John's Episcopal Church in Elkhart where Jane and Jerry met.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following: Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, United Way Suncoast, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, DePauw University, or a charity of your choice. RIP Jerry, you are loved and Safe In Port.
Published by The Elkhart Truth on Apr. 19, 2022.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/elkharttruth/name/jerry-williams-obituary
2022 IWSA State Championships Awards & Banquet
Many awards decorated deserving recipients at the 73rd Indiana Water Ski Association State Championships Banquet on Saturday, July 23rd, 2022.
Several skiers earned medals, as well as new State Records (see below) on the scorebook at this event. An awards arena set up by Hawthorn Lake made for a picture perfect setting. In addition to the placement awards, an Awards Banquet event was hosted at the McCullough home on Kodiak Lake, which also won the "State Team Trophy" award for the tournament. The "Golden Helmet" award was given to Kolton Hoops for exhibiting the most picturesque fall of the day off of the jump ramp. Sister Samantha Hoops won the Mark Wiggs trophy for farthest jump of the day (100 feet). "Sammy" became a member of the "Century Club!" as well as being the only Female ever to receive the award. In addition to the trophy, unbeknownst to her, she was treated to the "tradition" of being thrown in the lake.......the element of surprise was greeted by lots of screaming! The final award of the evening was presented by MC John Kniesly to Dan Reed. The coveted Rollie Williams Memorial Award is usually given at each State Championship event to a deserving IWSA member. The inscription reads: Rollie Williams Memorial Awarded To: An outstanding member of the IWSA who through his/her display of sportsmanship and leadership promoted the sport of water skiing in the state of Indiana in a manner characteristic of the late Rollie Williams. Past recipients of the award vote on the award each year. Congratulations to all!
Several skiers earned medals, as well as new State Records (see below) on the scorebook at this event. An awards arena set up by Hawthorn Lake made for a picture perfect setting. In addition to the placement awards, an Awards Banquet event was hosted at the McCullough home on Kodiak Lake, which also won the "State Team Trophy" award for the tournament. The "Golden Helmet" award was given to Kolton Hoops for exhibiting the most picturesque fall of the day off of the jump ramp. Sister Samantha Hoops won the Mark Wiggs trophy for farthest jump of the day (100 feet). "Sammy" became a member of the "Century Club!" as well as being the only Female ever to receive the award. In addition to the trophy, unbeknownst to her, she was treated to the "tradition" of being thrown in the lake.......the element of surprise was greeted by lots of screaming! The final award of the evening was presented by MC John Kniesly to Dan Reed. The coveted Rollie Williams Memorial Award is usually given at each State Championship event to a deserving IWSA member. The inscription reads: Rollie Williams Memorial Awarded To: An outstanding member of the IWSA who through his/her display of sportsmanship and leadership promoted the sport of water skiing in the state of Indiana in a manner characteristic of the late Rollie Williams. Past recipients of the award vote on the award each year. Congratulations to all!
2022 IWSA State Championships Wrap Up
The 73rd Indiana Water Ski Association State Championships is history and in the record books. The event started early with tricks at 7:45 AM!
Smooth water conditions blessed all the morning skiers until about 10:30 AM when the fringe effects of storms farther north struck the site. Shade tents went tumbling, electronic equipment got stuffed in safe places, and everyone hunkered down for a brief period. After a 45 minute delay, the event re-started although windy conditions prevailed. The water/weather conditions improved as the day unfolded with several new state records established. An awards banquet was hosted in the evening at Kodiak Lake nearby. (details in a separate report) As usual, top grade hospitality from the Hawthorn Lake families and friends and chief sponsors L.D. Smith Plumbing and Bart's made the event a great success.
Good luck to the many participants that will now be off to Kansas next week for Regionals and Nationals.
Smooth water conditions blessed all the morning skiers until about 10:30 AM when the fringe effects of storms farther north struck the site. Shade tents went tumbling, electronic equipment got stuffed in safe places, and everyone hunkered down for a brief period. After a 45 minute delay, the event re-started although windy conditions prevailed. The water/weather conditions improved as the day unfolded with several new state records established. An awards banquet was hosted in the evening at Kodiak Lake nearby. (details in a separate report) As usual, top grade hospitality from the Hawthorn Lake families and friends and chief sponsors L.D. Smith Plumbing and Bart's made the event a great success.
Good luck to the many participants that will now be off to Kansas next week for Regionals and Nationals.
Important Info for 2022 Indiana State Water Ski Championships
We ask that you help us prepare for the banquet by emailing Kati McCullough at [email protected] with the number of people from your party that you expect to attend the banquet.” Banquet Tickets will be sold on site during the tournament.
Please follow this link to 2022 LD Smith Plumbing Indiana State Water Ski Championships website page here:
http://www.indianawaterski.org/2022-indiana-state-water-ski-championships.html
All information to register for the 2022 LD Smith Indiana State Water Ski Championships can be located here:
https://www.usawaterski.org/rankings/view-tournaments_usa.asp?
Please follow this link to 2022 LD Smith Plumbing Indiana State Water Ski Championships website page here:
http://www.indianawaterski.org/2022-indiana-state-water-ski-championships.html
All information to register for the 2022 LD Smith Indiana State Water Ski Championships can be located here:
https://www.usawaterski.org/rankings/view-tournaments_usa.asp?
Silent Shores Tournament 7-9-2022
We love short tournaments! A lower than usual amount of competitors allowed for the Silent Shores 3 Round Tournament to be completed by early afternoon on Saturday, 7-9-2022! Those skiers who didn't participate missed excellent skiing conditions at Silent Shores. It was rewarding to see returnees from the Chicago area as well as a number of familiar local faces. Don't miss next week's event at Hawthorn Lake near Danville, Indiana and......of course....the Indiana State Championships also at Hawthorn Lake the following week!
Obituary for John Roger Van Gieson

Obituary for John Roger Van Gieson
JVG loved coming to Indiana to waterski and hang out at Sawmill for the tournaments
He was a loving, loyal friend and a fighter till the end.
Submitted by Scott Tynan
Van Gieson, John Roger of Seabrook Island, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 16, 2022 with his wife by his side. He was 61 years old. John was born to Walter and Joan Van Gieson in Yonkers, NY, on September 17, 1960. His family moved to Raleigh, NC when he was four and he remained in Raleigh until heading off to college. John attended Appalachian State University, in Boone, NC, and graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the Walker College of Business. After college, John went to work for Oscar Mayer, first as a Sales Representative and then in Sales Management. Later, he went to work for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network where he provided expert financial planning assistance to his many friends and clients. John was passionate about people…family and friends always came first. He made friends quickly and easily and he was always there for others. John’s other great passion was waterskiing. He loved being out on the water, skiing and hanging with his friends. John waterskied competitively for a number of years and qualified and skied at the Waterski National Championships. He also loved downhill skiing and soccer and he played soccer for many years on club teams. He was affectionately known as “Gramps” when he played in Minnesota well into his thirties. John always had a positive outlook on life and, despite his brain tumor diagnosis in 2008, he remained positive and upbeat and lived life to the fullest. John is survived by Nancy Van Gieson, his wife of 34 years; his mother, Joan Van Gieson; his brothers, Joseph (Susan), Peter (Maureen) and David, his sister Debby; his nephews, Eric, Jody, Robert, Matthew and Bradley, and many great-nieces/nephews. John is preceded in death by his father, Walter Van Gieson. Celebration of Life events to honor John will be held in Minneapolis, MN, Raleigh, NC and Annapolis, MD over the coming months. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in John’s honor may be made to Humor to Fight the Tumor Foundation. He and Nancy are long-time supporters of Humor to Fight the Tumor and John served on the organizing committee for their annual gala for many years. Information about Humor to Fight the Tumor and the Foundation can be found at humortofightthetumor.org/. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. Memorial arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412.
https://minnesota.funeral.com/2022/06/25/obituary-for-john-roger-van-gieson/
JVG loved coming to Indiana to waterski and hang out at Sawmill for the tournaments
He was a loving, loyal friend and a fighter till the end.
Submitted by Scott Tynan
Van Gieson, John Roger of Seabrook Island, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 16, 2022 with his wife by his side. He was 61 years old. John was born to Walter and Joan Van Gieson in Yonkers, NY, on September 17, 1960. His family moved to Raleigh, NC when he was four and he remained in Raleigh until heading off to college. John attended Appalachian State University, in Boone, NC, and graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the Walker College of Business. After college, John went to work for Oscar Mayer, first as a Sales Representative and then in Sales Management. Later, he went to work for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network where he provided expert financial planning assistance to his many friends and clients. John was passionate about people…family and friends always came first. He made friends quickly and easily and he was always there for others. John’s other great passion was waterskiing. He loved being out on the water, skiing and hanging with his friends. John waterskied competitively for a number of years and qualified and skied at the Waterski National Championships. He also loved downhill skiing and soccer and he played soccer for many years on club teams. He was affectionately known as “Gramps” when he played in Minnesota well into his thirties. John always had a positive outlook on life and, despite his brain tumor diagnosis in 2008, he remained positive and upbeat and lived life to the fullest. John is survived by Nancy Van Gieson, his wife of 34 years; his mother, Joan Van Gieson; his brothers, Joseph (Susan), Peter (Maureen) and David, his sister Debby; his nephews, Eric, Jody, Robert, Matthew and Bradley, and many great-nieces/nephews. John is preceded in death by his father, Walter Van Gieson. Celebration of Life events to honor John will be held in Minneapolis, MN, Raleigh, NC and Annapolis, MD over the coming months. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in John’s honor may be made to Humor to Fight the Tumor Foundation. He and Nancy are long-time supporters of Humor to Fight the Tumor and John served on the organizing committee for their annual gala for many years. Information about Humor to Fight the Tumor and the Foundation can be found at humortofightthetumor.org/. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. Memorial arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412.
https://minnesota.funeral.com/2022/06/25/obituary-for-john-roger-van-gieson/
Get On The Water Day 7-2-2022
Brewski Lake in Indianapolis celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Water Skiing today. (July 2nd, 1922 - July 2nd, 2022)
The "Get On The Water" event was sponsored and paid for by USA Water Ski and Radar Skis. Both kids and adults water-skied for the very first time. An experienced life guard skied for the very first time on the boom. Another fellow skied after a 20 year hiatus! Several experienced skiers took instruction and tips from coaches for multiple sets. A fisherman reeled in several large mouth bass. Drivers, skiers, coaches, fishermen, and spectators all enjoyed the camaraderie and good company of the day.
The "Get On The Water" event was sponsored and paid for by USA Water Ski and Radar Skis. Both kids and adults water-skied for the very first time. An experienced life guard skied for the very first time on the boom. Another fellow skied after a 20 year hiatus! Several experienced skiers took instruction and tips from coaches for multiple sets. A fisherman reeled in several large mouth bass. Drivers, skiers, coaches, fishermen, and spectators all enjoyed the camaraderie and good company of the day.
Sawmill Tournament 6-25-2022
The 2022 Indiana Tournament Season is officially open! The Sawmill Mongo Slalom 2022 opened the tournament season on Saturday. The conditions that "you write home to mama about" were evident all day long at Sawmill Lake near Columbus. Class C skiers, Class L skiers, and Open Men enjoyed outstanding conditions all day long. Some delays were tolerated as "Sure Pass" was sometimes not functional and a lost camera in the lake added challenges to the crews. The top score of the day was posted by Nate Smith 4.5 @ 41' off. Let us not overlook some youngsters from Michigan and Kentucky who participated along side more experienced skiers. The second day of tournament season was scheduled for Sunday, June 26th at Champion Lake near McCordsville, Indiana.
Brewski Lake hosts Get On The Water
Brewski Lake hosts Get On The Water
Get on the Water is designed to provide a fun, non-intimidating environment in which participants can learn to water ski for free.
Participants: Anyone who would like to learn to ski! Participants do not need any prior water skiing experience to participate. The ability to swim is recommended but not required (each participant will wear a life vest).
Location: 1845 Hunter Road, Indianapolis, IN 46239
Cost: FREE!
Please contact: Dave Jarrett [email protected]
Get on the Water is designed to provide a fun, non-intimidating environment in which participants can learn to water ski for free.
Participants: Anyone who would like to learn to ski! Participants do not need any prior water skiing experience to participate. The ability to swim is recommended but not required (each participant will wear a life vest).
Location: 1845 Hunter Road, Indianapolis, IN 46239
Cost: FREE!
Please contact: Dave Jarrett [email protected]
FlowPoint TV: 2021 Collegiate Water Ski Nationals
2022 Indy Boat, Sport & Travel Show Program
The Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel Show is now underway. Don't miss the opportunity to dream and wish about warm weather activities! The boat pavilion is full of new boats and water related goods. The lake ice is melting and sporadic warm days signal water skiing is just around the corner. Here's the opportunity to forget about winter weather for a few hours!
Plan your trip to the Ford 67th Annual Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show! The Official Show Program contains everything you need to plan your adventure.
Plan your trip to the Ford 67th Annual Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show! The Official Show Program contains everything you need to plan your adventure.
- The biggest boat dealers in the region under one roof!
- Incredible travel destinations!
- Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel, Children's Motorcycle Adventure, Motorcycle Rodeo, Dock Diving Dog Demos, Pro Fishing Seminars and lots more exciting entertainment for the whole family!
Important Safe Sport Announcement For All Skiers
The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Board of Directors met on January 30, 2022 and several important topics were discussed. A brief recap of the meeting can be found on our website, but we wanted to call out a few important highlights below:
SafeSport Training
A proposal was made to amend the SafeSport training requirement for a select group of individuals.
Action Item – Update Page 90 in the Policies & Procedures Manual and within the SafeSport Handbook on who needs to be SafeSport Trained to (changes in red): “All USA-WSWS active members 18 years old and older who compete or participate in sanctioned tournaments or have regular contact with any amateur athlete or other Participant who is a minor;”
What this means: If you do not compete in tournaments and just ski within your own club with other adults and have no regular contact with minors, then you will not need to complete the SafeSport training as a membership requirement. Your status will remain in a “Pending-Safe Sport” status in our membership system, but since you do not compete in tournaments, it will not be monitored. If you ski in a club and have regular contact with minors, SafeSport training is recommended even if not competing. Members in the “Pending-Safe Sport” category are covered for any participant accident insurance claims that may occur within a sanctioned practice (if all other practice sanctioning criteria is met).
Background Checks for Judges
After discussions and an agreement with the USOPC, a proposal was made to amend the USA-WSWS background check requirement for all judges.
Action Item – Background Checks for Judges: insert updated language for background screening requirement (changes in red): “USA Water Ski & Wake Sports requires criminal background screening (‘background screening’ or ‘background check’) for individuals involved with its programs as part of a greater effort to promote a safe environment for members. Background screening must be completed for all certified instructors/coaches, participants and staff of national/international teams, show ski team show directors and assistant directors, USA-WSWS judges (who are 18 and older) who are selected and approved by USA-WSWS or one of its Sport Disciplines to officiate at a National Championships event, or any IWWF World Championships or Multi Sports event (e.g. World Games), or Pan American Confederation Titled Event, junior development coaches and leadership, and any volunteer, third-party vendor or contractor who are (a) in position of authority over or (b) in regular contact with athletes. In addition, background screening must also be completed for all staff members, USA-WSWS and Sport Discipline Board Members, and other members/individuals designated by USA-WSWS in its sole discretion.”
What this means: Only judges who are 18 and older who are selected to judge a National Championships event or IWWF World Championships or multi-sport events or Pan Am titled event will need to pass a background screen – all other judges at local and regional events do not need to be background screened.
Lastly, there were minor edits made to the current “Membership Statuses” that you see in your new membership profile or that your club administrator sees on your club’s roster. For those members who still need to complete SafeSport training, your membership status will display as “Pending-Safe Sport” instead of “deactivated.”
We encourage all members 18 and older who plan to compete in a tournament or ski show as a member of a team to complete the SafeSport training if you have not done so already. Kudos to the more than 2,300 of you who have already taken the core and/or refresher SafeSport training.
To access the training, log on to your membership dashboard, click on “SafeSport Training/Background Screening” and follow the prompts to set up a SafeSport account (first-time users) or log into your existing SafeSport account (refresher users).
If you have any questions along the way, we are here to help. Please email [email protected].
SafeSport Training
A proposal was made to amend the SafeSport training requirement for a select group of individuals.
Action Item – Update Page 90 in the Policies & Procedures Manual and within the SafeSport Handbook on who needs to be SafeSport Trained to (changes in red): “All USA-WSWS active members 18 years old and older who compete or participate in sanctioned tournaments or have regular contact with any amateur athlete or other Participant who is a minor;”
What this means: If you do not compete in tournaments and just ski within your own club with other adults and have no regular contact with minors, then you will not need to complete the SafeSport training as a membership requirement. Your status will remain in a “Pending-Safe Sport” status in our membership system, but since you do not compete in tournaments, it will not be monitored. If you ski in a club and have regular contact with minors, SafeSport training is recommended even if not competing. Members in the “Pending-Safe Sport” category are covered for any participant accident insurance claims that may occur within a sanctioned practice (if all other practice sanctioning criteria is met).
Background Checks for Judges
After discussions and an agreement with the USOPC, a proposal was made to amend the USA-WSWS background check requirement for all judges.
Action Item – Background Checks for Judges: insert updated language for background screening requirement (changes in red): “USA Water Ski & Wake Sports requires criminal background screening (‘background screening’ or ‘background check’) for individuals involved with its programs as part of a greater effort to promote a safe environment for members. Background screening must be completed for all certified instructors/coaches, participants and staff of national/international teams, show ski team show directors and assistant directors, USA-WSWS judges (who are 18 and older) who are selected and approved by USA-WSWS or one of its Sport Disciplines to officiate at a National Championships event, or any IWWF World Championships or Multi Sports event (e.g. World Games), or Pan American Confederation Titled Event, junior development coaches and leadership, and any volunteer, third-party vendor or contractor who are (a) in position of authority over or (b) in regular contact with athletes. In addition, background screening must also be completed for all staff members, USA-WSWS and Sport Discipline Board Members, and other members/individuals designated by USA-WSWS in its sole discretion.”
What this means: Only judges who are 18 and older who are selected to judge a National Championships event or IWWF World Championships or multi-sport events or Pan Am titled event will need to pass a background screen – all other judges at local and regional events do not need to be background screened.
Lastly, there were minor edits made to the current “Membership Statuses” that you see in your new membership profile or that your club administrator sees on your club’s roster. For those members who still need to complete SafeSport training, your membership status will display as “Pending-Safe Sport” instead of “deactivated.”
We encourage all members 18 and older who plan to compete in a tournament or ski show as a member of a team to complete the SafeSport training if you have not done so already. Kudos to the more than 2,300 of you who have already taken the core and/or refresher SafeSport training.
To access the training, log on to your membership dashboard, click on “SafeSport Training/Background Screening” and follow the prompts to set up a SafeSport account (first-time users) or log into your existing SafeSport account (refresher users).
If you have any questions along the way, we are here to help. Please email [email protected].
Free Jump Ramp Frame
FREE!
Looking to refurbish your old Jump ramp?
Maybe your club would like to become a 3 event club?
Steel Jump Frame 14 x 24 and it even has jacks. Available in Kokomo, IN.
If interested call Prissy at 765-610-7552.
Looking to refurbish your old Jump ramp?
Maybe your club would like to become a 3 event club?
Steel Jump Frame 14 x 24 and it even has jacks. Available in Kokomo, IN.
If interested call Prissy at 765-610-7552.
2022 Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show
FIND YOUR ADVENTURE!
The Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show is scheduled for 2 sessions in February with over 750,000 square feet of the great outdoors, indoors!
For those of us who missed it last year due to the COVID, we're looking forward to attending this year.
February 18-20 and February 23-27. Plan ahead now!
You can buy tickets here:
https://www.tix123.com/tickets/?code=IBSTS2022&brand=IBSTS22
The Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show is scheduled for 2 sessions in February with over 750,000 square feet of the great outdoors, indoors!
For those of us who missed it last year due to the COVID, we're looking forward to attending this year.
February 18-20 and February 23-27. Plan ahead now!
You can buy tickets here:
https://www.tix123.com/tickets/?code=IBSTS2022&brand=IBSTS22
2022 Cincinnati Boat Show
It's time to put an end to the January "blahs" and start thinking about the coming ski season!
The Cincinnati Boat Show is in progress with others soon coming on the calendar. After the cancellation of shows in 2021, it is a welcome sight to see the shows being presented again. This past weekend's offering at the Cincinnati show included lots of pontoons and surf boats and....believe it or not, water skis for sale!
The shows calendars include:
Cincinnati, January 14-16 & 19-23
Louisville, January 26-30
Indianapolis, February 18-20 and 23-27
The Cincinnati Boat Show is in progress with others soon coming on the calendar. After the cancellation of shows in 2021, it is a welcome sight to see the shows being presented again. This past weekend's offering at the Cincinnati show included lots of pontoons and surf boats and....believe it or not, water skis for sale!
The shows calendars include:
Cincinnati, January 14-16 & 19-23
Louisville, January 26-30
Indianapolis, February 18-20 and 23-27
Winter Water Skiing -- 11 BELOW ZERO -- New Years Day 2022
Happy New Year 2022!
Happy New Year 2022 to all of our IWSA Family and Friends!
May this new year bring you joy, excellent health, prosperity and personal bests!
May this new year bring you joy, excellent health, prosperity and personal bests!