By Jack Burden

Kaiafas Water Ski Resort, host of the Kaiafas Battle ProAm in 2022 and 2023, has reopened after a dispute over the site temporarily halted operations earlier this year. The resort, operated by George and Tasos Hatzis as part of Hatzis Waterski Paradise, has hosted numerous national and international events over the past three decades.

The Kaiafas Battle ProAm quickly became a fan and skier favorite on the Waterski Pro Tour in its first two editions, thanks to the event’s scenic location, large crowds, and party atmosphere. Allie Nicholson, who ran her first-ever 10.75m (39.5’ off) at Kaiafas last year, spoke glowingly of the event on the TWBC podcast, saying, “It was a party all day long.” She added, “After last year, I thought, ‘How could it get bigger?’ and it got bigger.”

Similarly, Freddie Winter, who made history in 2023 alongside Will Asher and Nate Smith when all three ran 10.25m (41’ off) in the same round, called the tournament the best event of the last two years alongside Moomba. “The standard they set is really high, and I don’t think any other event is matching it at this point.”

Many of the sport’s top athletes took to social media to support the Hatzis and expressed their disappointment when the event, planned for July 13-14, had to be canceled earlier this year. “I was planning an even bigger and more exciting 2024 Kaiafas Battle, filled with new ideas and challenges,” shared George Hatzis after announcing the cancellation. “However, since January, my efforts have been diverted due to a dispute with competitors trying to take over the Kaiafas site. As a result, the site remains closed, and there simply isn’t enough time to prepare for the event.”

The cancellation caused a reshuffling of the European leg of the Waterski Pro Tour, with the inaugural Oxfordshire ProAm moving up a weekend to accommodate athletes’ travel schedules.

However, this week Hatzis announced that the site was reopening, sharing, “We are so excited to announce to our friends that our paradise is now open to welcome you back!” The announcement was met with excitement and anticipation for a return to the Waterski Pro Tour in 2025. Current leaders Jaimee Bull and Will Asher both referred to the announcement as “the best news,” while the injured Freddie Winter expressed his excitement to return to the event next year.

Hatzis remains optimistic for the future, sharing, “We look forward to welcoming you back next year for an even more spectacular competition.” It sounds like he is not the only one looking forward to the 2025 Kaiafas Battle ProAm.