The 20th annual IWSA Awards Banquet was held on November 2nd, 2024 at the Sahm's Prairie View Event Center in Carmel, Indiana.  A "full house" enjoyed the banquet and more importantly the award to Hall of Fame recipient Brian Detty.  Other additional awards will be published soon.  In addition to the awards, the 2025 calendar was begun, next year's slate of officers,  and the 2025 Indiana State Championships was awarded to Timberlake Ski Club.  

​The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to announce the 2025 recipient of the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award is Don Bucher.
Don Bucher is an Indiana farmer who has been active in water skiing for nearly 70 years. He is a member of the Indiana Water Ski Hall of Fame and a water skiing legend in the Midwest.
Don was eight years old when he hit the water for the first time and has never looked back. Don entered his first Indiana State Tournament in jump competition in 1964, and from there, Don went on to rack up accomplishments on and off the water. He qualified for his first nationals in 2001 and was the Midwest region Men's 6 Slalom Champion in 2008. Don has held ratings as a Senior Judge, Senior Driver, Senior Scorer, State Safety Director, Announcer, and Instructor.
A longtime tournament director, Don started the Water Ski Inc. Ski Team with Jerry Hickman at Hidden Lake in Warsaw, Indiana, in 1974 and organized the Hoosier Classic Pro Water Ski Tournaments from 1975 to 1978. Don built the first man-made ski lake in Indiana in 1978: Cindonway Shores.
"It was always our mission to provide the very best competition opportunities for water skiers and the very best events," says Don. "It was about great times, great memories, meeting people, and just being involved in water skiing."
Don has also led water skiing from several board positions, including Midwest Region Executive Vice President 1999-2006, AWSA Board of Directors 1997-2009, AWSA Vice President 2001-2007, USA Water Ski Board of Directors Midwest Director 1999-2009, and Chairman of USA Water Ski Board of Directors 2008-2009. He currently serves on the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Board of Trustees.
But for Don, the most rewarding part of his water skiing journey is now watching seven of his nine grandchildren water ski. Don's enthusiasm for water skiing has never faltered.
Don will be honored along with 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Scot Ellis and Award of Distinction recipients Bob Archer, Mike "Mack" Makridichian, Mike Mckelheer, Jeff Surdej, and Geno Yauchler on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven, Florida. #usawwf #waterskihalloffame #waterskihistory #waterski

The IWSA Tournament season is now officially over and it's time to think about the IWSA AWARDS BANQUET that will be on the calendar soon.  Please look over the 2024 IWSA MEMBERS RECOGNITION form and start thinking about  possible nominees for awards.  ​

It was "tournament weekend" in central Indiana.  The Sawmill Record 2 tournament was held on Saturday, August 24th and the Champion Lake Record tournament was held on Sunday, August 25th.  There must have been a "direct line" to the weather gods as there was NO WIND on either day.  Calm smooth water was the order of both days although there was Sun Glare in the early mornings at both lakes causing delayed starts.  There were multiple "PB's" from both young and old.  Lots of discussions about the recent Nationals that were held in California and many goals already set for next season.  Two more final  tournaments are both set for September 7th at Cindonway Shores and Boonedocks.
 Congratulations to Ted McColley at the Sawmill Tournament.  Ted recently turned 70 (old fart!) and skied in the Men's 8 Category.  Ted tied the National Record of 39' off!!!   What an accomplishment!  Now, we won't comment on his golf cart driving skills!!!
Time to start thinking about the IWSA fall awards and banquet!

Indiana Waterski Championships 2024
NEW RECORDS:
Girls 3 Trick  Joy Bucher  1300 pts
Girls 3 Jump  Joy Bucher  56ft
Girls 5  Jump  Samantha Hoops 103ft
Women's 1  Slalom  Alexis Mishler   2 ½ @ 35 off  92.5 buoys
Womens 7  Trick  Patty Patterson  1830 pts
Womens 9  Slalom  Prissy Edwards   1 @ 26mph  43 buoys
Womens 9  Trick   Prissy Edwards  500pts
Womens 9  Overall  Prissy Edwards  315.6 NOPS
Boys 2  Slalom  Jacob Bucher ½ @ 32 off @ 32mph  78  1/2  buoys
Boys 2  Jump  Jacob Bucher 85ft
Boys 2  Overall  Jacob Bucher  2913.1 NOPS
Boys 4  Jump  Kolten Hoops 104ft
Men's 7  Slalom  Kim Contos   3 @ 38 off @ 32mph   93 buoys

Mark Wiggs Memorial Jump Trophy   
Briant Detty- 138 feet
Crash Helmet Award   
Jacob Bucher
Barb Miller Scholarship Award   
Samantha Hoops

OVERALL Winners: Indiana State Championships 2024
Boys 1    Graham Fisher
Boys 2   Jacob Bucher
Boys 3   Rhett Bucher
Boys 4   Kolten Hoops
Boys 5   Coltin Bucher
Girls 1    Jenna Bucher
Girls 3    Joy Bucher
Girls 5    Samantha Hoops
Mens 2   Briant Detty 
Mens 3   Jimmy Tranchita 
Mens 6   Paul Goldman
Mens 8   John Kniesly
Mens 9   Don Bucher
Womens 3   Abby Tranchita
Womens 9   Prissy Edwards 

TEAM AWARD: Indiana State Championships 2024
Kodiak Ski Club   220  pts
Cindonway Shores  212  pts
Kokomo  60  pts
Hawthorn  58  pts
Silent Shores   56  pts
Champion Lake   34  pts
Team Sharkey  34  pts
Camelot  28  pts
Sawmill   18  pts
Emerald Lake  10  pts
Brewski Lake 8  pts

Yes, it's another "GET WET WEDNESDAY" on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024! 
This time it's at beautiful Boondocks Lake located near Kirklin, Indiana.  Receive some super slalom pointers from expert skier Neal Clark.  Don't miss this last ski school opportunity event of the season!  All level of abilities are welcome.
GET WET WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 7TH, 2024
BOONDOCKS LAKE   
​9325 N   200E  Kirklin, 46050
FEE  $20

​Attendance at the 2024 Indiana State Water Ski Championships probably broke attendance records!  Over 100 pulls required the one day event to begin at 7:30 AM and it ended when the last "tricker" landed at the starting dock at 8:20 PM!  Team Kodiak Lake and Team Bucher/Cindonway vied for the most team points all day long.  Thanks to all the helpers and workers (especially the Detty Families) for putting on a first class event.  Thanks also to the Kodiak Lake group for hosting the evening dinner at the their home late at night. 
The next events include:
Midwest Regionals at Water's Edge in Illinois August 2-4.
USA Water Ski Nationals in Bakersfield in California August 13-17.
Sawmill Lake back in Indiana on  August 24th.
Champion Lake near McCordsville on August 25th.

​Silent Shores did not live up to its nickname on Saturday!  The weather gods cooperated and gave skiers a "windless" day!  There might have been a bit of "orange peel"  but the skiing conditions were ideal.  A few "PBs" made the day even better.  When not skiing, some youngsters were catching fish!  And don't forget the traditional pork burgers from the grill.  Next weekend is the Indiana State Water Ski Championships at Hawthorn Lake near Danville, Indiana.