By Jack Burden

Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 5 storm, made landfall in Central Florida on October 9, 2024, causing widespread destruction throughout the region. Just two days after rapidly intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico, Milton slammed into the state’s central west coast near Siesta Key, bringing torrential rain, severe winds, and a series of destructive tornadoes. The storm then crossed Florida and exited into the Atlantic, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The impact of Milton was compounded by the region still reeling from Hurricane Helene, which had made landfall less than two weeks earlier.

Central Florida, often referred to as the “water ski capital of the world,” was particularly hard hit. Home to many of the world’s top water skiers and renowned water skiing sites, the region’s lakes were left flooded and overflowing, with significant property and infrastructure damage. In Polk City, Winter Garden, and Doral, three major water ski tournaments were planned over the next three weekends. However, the status of these events remains uncertain. Many lakes used for competitions are still flooded, and damage to local facilities is currently being assessed.

Devastation and a Community in Recovery

Despite swift evacuation orders and preparation efforts by authorities, Hurricane Milton’s rapid development, combined with the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene, made it difficult for emergency personnel to respond effectively. More than 1,000 first responders and over 1,400 search-and-rescue personnel were deployed, working tirelessly to assist those in need. At the time of writing, 23 lives have been confirmed lost, and more than one million people remain without electricity.

In addition to the widespread devastation of homes and infrastructure, the storm has also deeply affected the waterskiing community. Some of the most iconic water ski sites in the world, such as Sunset Lakes, Lake Grew, and the Isles of Lake Hancock, experienced severe flooding. While the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated, many of these locations may remain closed to protect shorelines and surrounding properties from further erosion and water damage until the waters recede.

Barefoot World Championships Impacted by Milton

As Hurricane Milton approached, the 2024 Barefoot World Championships in Florida came to an abrupt end. Although the competition had been progressing, the storm made it impossible to continue. Event organizers made the difficult decision to close the tournament early, but the athletes performed admirably, and the international water skiing community gained praise for their willingness to help locals in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Vanessa White, a local resident, expressed her gratitude on social media, saying, “Big shout out to the British Barefoot Waterski Team, who took shelter at our home on Lake Whistler. They have spent the day helping the neighborhood clear up after the hurricane. Thank you.”

Despite the unexpected end to the event, athletes, officials, and volunteers made the best of the situation. Australia’s Barefoot Waterski Team took home the gold in one of the most challenging tournaments in recent memory. Waterski and Wakeboard Australia shared their pride on social media, stating, “Under the most challenging of conditions, the Australian Barefoot team has taken out GOLD! Congratulations to all the athletes, and a big mention to the officials who worked tirelessly with the help of the USA Barefoot team, their officials, and local water skiers to ensure the team’s safety before Hurricane Milton made landfall.”

A Long Road to Recovery

As the waters recede and skies clear, the focus now turns to recovery efforts. Although the damage from Hurricane Milton is significant, early reports suggest that the region’s water ski community is resilient. Facilities such as Champion Lake and Lake Grew have reportedly sustained only minimal damage. However, with many lakes still overflowing, the timeline for full recovery remains uncertain.

With multiple professional tournaments scheduled in the coming weeks, the water skiing world holds its breath to see whether these events will proceed as planned or be postponed.

For now, Central Florida is focused on rebuilding after the back-to-back blows from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The water ski capital of the world has weathered storms before, but the challenges posed by these two hurricanes are unlike anything the region has faced in recent history. Nonetheless, the spirit of the water skiing community remains strong, as athletes and volunteers alike come together to support one another through these difficult times.