Kim Contos
2014 Hall of Fame Inductee
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After a failed attempt by Kim’s older sibling 3 year earlier they were able to teach Kim to ski at the family lake cottage on Lake Tippecanoe at the age of 9. A trip the same day to the local marine resulted in Kim coming home with a pair of “Little Skipper” skis. He had caught the “ski bug”.
Kim was introduced to the slalom course, an ‘old school’ bleach and milk jugs vintage a few years later by his big sister and her friends. In 1970 when the Tippy Lake skiers disbanded Kim wanted to stay involved in show skiing and try tournament skiing. He knew that the Ski Bees of Lake Webster was “the ski club”. So he went to Socks Marina on Webster where the Ski Bees performed their show where he met a twenty something guy who was barefoot and wearing cut-off jeans with a piece of ski rope for a belt. He pumped gas at the marina and served as salesman for the water ski equipment in the showroom. His name was Bart Culver.
Bart introduced Kim to Jan Wade and her family who’s family had a cottage right down the channel. He began skiing with Jan and her family daily. He became friends with other families of the Ski Bees such as the Plummers, Clarks, and Peckinpaughs. In 1970 he joined the masses in a huge novice boys field at the Indiana State tournament in Elkhart skiing all three events. In 1971 he won his first state title in Novice Boys Tricks.
In the fall of 1973 he began college at the University of Tampa where one of his teammates was Rusty Carter Jr. also of Indiana. Kim earned a varsity letter for skiing at Tampa. Yes water skiing was a varsity sport at Tampa.
In 1974 Kim opened Kim’s Ski Shop and Ski School on Lake Tippecanoe. Notable students were Kris Golden (future National Champion), Bud Roby (a top junior jumper), and a couple from Indianapolis, Nancy and Daryl Harrison.
In 1975 Kim qualified for his first Midwest Regional Championships, In 1976 earned his first EP at Fairland qualifying him for his first Nationals (1977 Nationals). However he was not able to ski in the ‘77 Nationals due to a broken knee cap. Kim has skied in 43 State Tournament missing only 2 in his 45 years of tournament skiing due to injury. He also has skied in 31 US National Championships.
Kim has won more that 3 dozen state titles in slalom, tricks, and overall including “Outstanding Male Skier” award for highest NOPS score. He has held many state records in Mens 2, Mens 3, Mens 4, Mens 5 Slalom. He also has held number Midwest Regional Slalom titles, records, and Ranking List Championships.
Kim has had numerous National podium finishes including a three way tie for 1st in Mens 5 slalom in 2010 (ending up 2nd after 2 run-offs). He placed 3rd in the inaugural Big Dawg Championship in 2004. He qualified for and competed in the past two 35+ World Championships in 2012 and 2014. He won the silver medal in Men 55+ Slalom in Mexico in 2012, finishing 2 buoy behind the gold medal score.
Kim was the 1994 Rollie Williams Award recipient. He is a Senior Slalom Judge, and former 3 event Assistant Judge. He also has served on the IWSA board numerous years. His personal best skiing performances is 4.5 @ 39.5 @ 34 mph and 3 @ 38 @ 36 mph in slalom, 3100 points in tricks, and 117 ft. in jump.
Kim was introduced to the slalom course, an ‘old school’ bleach and milk jugs vintage a few years later by his big sister and her friends. In 1970 when the Tippy Lake skiers disbanded Kim wanted to stay involved in show skiing and try tournament skiing. He knew that the Ski Bees of Lake Webster was “the ski club”. So he went to Socks Marina on Webster where the Ski Bees performed their show where he met a twenty something guy who was barefoot and wearing cut-off jeans with a piece of ski rope for a belt. He pumped gas at the marina and served as salesman for the water ski equipment in the showroom. His name was Bart Culver.
Bart introduced Kim to Jan Wade and her family who’s family had a cottage right down the channel. He began skiing with Jan and her family daily. He became friends with other families of the Ski Bees such as the Plummers, Clarks, and Peckinpaughs. In 1970 he joined the masses in a huge novice boys field at the Indiana State tournament in Elkhart skiing all three events. In 1971 he won his first state title in Novice Boys Tricks.
In the fall of 1973 he began college at the University of Tampa where one of his teammates was Rusty Carter Jr. also of Indiana. Kim earned a varsity letter for skiing at Tampa. Yes water skiing was a varsity sport at Tampa.
In 1974 Kim opened Kim’s Ski Shop and Ski School on Lake Tippecanoe. Notable students were Kris Golden (future National Champion), Bud Roby (a top junior jumper), and a couple from Indianapolis, Nancy and Daryl Harrison.
In 1975 Kim qualified for his first Midwest Regional Championships, In 1976 earned his first EP at Fairland qualifying him for his first Nationals (1977 Nationals). However he was not able to ski in the ‘77 Nationals due to a broken knee cap. Kim has skied in 43 State Tournament missing only 2 in his 45 years of tournament skiing due to injury. He also has skied in 31 US National Championships.
Kim has won more that 3 dozen state titles in slalom, tricks, and overall including “Outstanding Male Skier” award for highest NOPS score. He has held many state records in Mens 2, Mens 3, Mens 4, Mens 5 Slalom. He also has held number Midwest Regional Slalom titles, records, and Ranking List Championships.
Kim has had numerous National podium finishes including a three way tie for 1st in Mens 5 slalom in 2010 (ending up 2nd after 2 run-offs). He placed 3rd in the inaugural Big Dawg Championship in 2004. He qualified for and competed in the past two 35+ World Championships in 2012 and 2014. He won the silver medal in Men 55+ Slalom in Mexico in 2012, finishing 2 buoy behind the gold medal score.
Kim was the 1994 Rollie Williams Award recipient. He is a Senior Slalom Judge, and former 3 event Assistant Judge. He also has served on the IWSA board numerous years. His personal best skiing performances is 4.5 @ 39.5 @ 34 mph and 3 @ 38 @ 36 mph in slalom, 3100 points in tricks, and 117 ft. in jump.
