For water skiers, Cypress Gardens has always been more than a theme park—it’s the spiritual home of their sport. From its founding in 1937 by Dick Pope Sr. as a botanical garden to the debut of its first water ski show in 1943 for servicemen during World War II, Cypress Gardens quickly became the beating heart of water skiing.
Now, one of the sport’s longest-running traditions is coming to an end. The iconic water ski show at Legoland Florida, which carried on Cypress Gardens’ legacy, will perform for the last time on December 30.
For decades, the ski shows at Cypress Gardens captivated audiences with their audacity and innovation. This was where barefoot skiing, swivel skiing, and the first human pyramids were introduced. Over 50 world records were set on these waters. Celebrities like Elvis Presley and Johnny Carson visited to witness the spectacle, and Hollywood took notice too—1953’s Easy to Love immortalized the park’s legendary synchronized ski sequences.
“It’s a travesty,” said Winter Haven resident D.N. to ABC Action News. “That water ski show has made this town what it is. It’s been here as long as we have and many years before that.”
Through much of the 20th century, Cypress Gardens was the epicenter of water skiing. It wasn’t just a tourist attraction; it was a laboratory of invention and a stage for the sport’s greatest feats. Competitors, celebrities, and aspiring athletes flocked to the park, drawn by its allure and prestige.
Even after Cypress Gardens closed in 2009, the tradition didn’t die. Legoland Florida picked up the baton, continuing the professional ski shows on Lake Eloise. For many, the decision to end the shows feels like the final farewell to water skiing’s golden age.
Nicole Pinzon, another Winter Haven resident, lamented the loss. “A lot of families go there for tradition, and that will be missed. For them to go for years and then have it taken away—it’s going to be sad.”
Legoland representatives acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but pointed to their plans for new attractions, including a Sea Life Aquarium opening in spring.
Still, Winter Haven’s water skiing legacy endures. The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, formed in 2012, keeps the spirit alive with free monthly shows at Lake Silver. Meanwhile, the memories of Dick Pope Sr.’s vision live on in the countless athletes and fans who were inspired by the artistry and daring of Cypress Gardens skiers.
As the final curtain falls on this legendary show, the water skiing community can reflect on its profound impact. Cypress Gardens didn’t just entertain; it elevated the sport, setting the standard for what water skiing could achieve.
If 2024 goes down in the annals of waterski history, it will likely be remembered as the year when everything that was supposed to be stable turned upside down. Down was up, men’s slalom was a coin toss, and the podium was filled with new faces—high schoolers, middle-aged men, you name it. Yet, as chaotic as the men’s field was, the women’s side was almost eerily predictable. In fact, it may have been the least surprising year since the condensed 2020 season, with fewer fresh faces than an IWWF board meeting.
The men’s side, though? That’s where things got interesting. Nine different men claimed their first professional victories this season—an all-time record. Nine! That’s not just unprecedented; it’s a complete game-changer. From seasoned pros finally putting it all together to newcomers who seemed like they’d been training in secret since birth, the sport had never seen such a diverse group of first-time winners. Sure, Nate’s decision to get a “real job” and Freddie’s little misunderstanding with a dock opened a few doors in slalom, but still—this is a sign of the sport’s growing depth. New blood has arrived, and they’re coming for the top spots.
Brash. Arrogant. French. Pol Duplan-Fribourg is like the second coming of Aussie folk hero Timothy Bradstreet, and not just because of his impressive bodybuilder physique. This year, the 21-year-old Frenchman made his debut at the Moomba Masters—his first-ever professional jump event. Yes, you read that right. His first. And in true Duplan-Fribourg style, he went full throttle, falling short in the daylight final to the experienced Ryan Dodd and Jack Critchley but turning up the heat when the lights came on, taking down Dodd in a one-jump shootout to clinch the win.
It was a pivotal moment: he became the youngest jumper to win a pro event since 2017. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the immense talent of the Duplan-Fribourg family. His older brother Louis holds the world overall crown, while his younger brother Tristan was leading the charge in junior jumping before the Robin Lake ramp literally cut him in half. Unfortunately, Pol’s season was also cut short by injury—a herniated disc and a fractured ankle sidelined him by late spring.
But that Moomba win? It set the tone for what would become the year of the first-time champion.
If you’re looking for the polar opposite of the muscled, stocky trick skiers who dominate the sport, look no further than Matias Gonzalez. Small, rakish, and soft-spoken, he somehow manages to look younger than his already juvenile 16 years. He’s a featherweight in a field of heavyweights—more Manny Pacquiao than Mike Tyson. Coming into the first event of the Waterski Pro Tour as the Under-17 World Record Holder, Gonzalez wasn’t exactly a dark horse, but in a field that included world champion Pato Font (who was eyeing records before the final even started), few expected him to clinch the win.
But that’s exactly what he did. In the final, Gonzalez scored 12,440, matching his personal best and junior world record to claim his first professional victory. The rest of the season saw him finish on the podium at every trick event, culminating in the Waterski Pro Tour season championship.
The lineup for the Swiss Pro Tricks final was striking, with 25-year-old Joel Poland standing out like a sore thumb among a group mostly too young to order a drink—a clear reminder that Trix are for kids. Gonzalez proved the point.
The build-up to the men’s tricks at the Masters was all about the big names—Abelson’s new world record, Joel Poland’s insane form, and Pato Font’s imminent comeback. But quietly, another teenage Chilean phenom was working his way into the conversation: Martin Labra. After grinding relentlessly through the Chilean summer, Labra—already the most decorated skier in Under-17 World Championship history—stepped onto the professional circuit with a vengeance.
He’s the poster child for ‘nurture over nature.’ The stepson of a professional jumper, Labra was raised across Pan-American ski schools with access to the world’s best coaches. A perfect blend of brawn and finesse, he looks equally at home muscling through a scrappy ski-line sequence as he does executing complex toe tricks with speed and precision. Labra stormed the Masters’ tricks event, securing the win with a standout performance in a final where several seasoned competitors faltered.
And he didn’t stop there. Labra followed up with another victory at the Botaski ProAm. In the coming years, he’s set to become a serious force in tricks and overall. Don’t be surprised if he starts cropping up on even more podiums.
Forget the last name. Forget the Hall of Fame parents. Forget the legacy. Strip it all away, and what do you get? Cole McCormick, 28, a software engineer who looks more at home on a Discord server than on a slalom course. Hell, he even toe-tricked in college.
But here’s the twist: you’d be wrong.
The McCormick of 2024 is a late-blooming slalom maestro. Shredded, laser-focused, and a true student of the sport. This Memorial Day weekend, he made history as the first second-generation winner of the prestigious Masters title, following in the footsteps of his multiple Masters-winning parents, Susi and Ricky McCormick.
His win didn’t come easy. Conditions were tough, but McCormick was the only skier to run the 10.75m (39.5’) pass in the preliminary round. As the top seed, he secured five-and-a-half buoys in the final to clinch the win. And even after a high-speed faceplant out of six, that grin didn’t leave his face.
Before Robert Hazelwood was the YouTube vlogger we all secretly watch when we should be working, he was just a kid from Northern England with the unenviable task of trying to keep Joel Poland humble. Whether he succeeded? Well, that’s up for debate.
Snubbed by the Masters, Hazelwood came out swinging the next weekend at the Lake 38 ProAm. At 24, he had been lurking in the shadows for years—always there, always a threat, but never quite crossing the line. Until now. This time, he was all business. In a final that could’ve been an intense poker match—coming down to a three-way runoff with McCormick and Winter—it was Hazelwood who kept his cool and showed the most skill. His win was a moment he’d dreamed of since he was old enough to tie his own ski boots.
Hazelwood’s victory seemed to signal a changing of the guard. He became the youngest men’s slalom champion since 2019, and suddenly, the balance of power in the sport didn’t seem so solid.
Perennially inconsistent, however, Hazelwood’s form yo-yoed between triumph and missing finals throughout the rest of the season. He found the top step again at the Botaski ProAm, but with plenty left to work on, don’t be surprised if Hazelwood’s climb up the standings is a bit of a rollercoaster.
Among the fresh-faced talents and rising stars stood Corey Vaughn, the veteran journeyman. For over a decade, he has been a fixture on the professional circuit—solid and dependable but never quite a threat. Until now. At 38, Vaughn finally broke through at the Oxfordshire ProAm, becoming the oldest skier to claim his first professional slalom title.
Yes, this is the same Vaughn who once donned a cape and cap as “Buoy Wonder,” only to mellow into the barefoot philosopher affectionately known as “Mr. Peace, Love, and Waterskiing.” For years, we’ve watched him grind it out on the pro circuit, collecting more life lessons than titles.
But under the Oxfordshire lights, Vaughn rose to the occasion in challenging nighttime conditions. A career of near-misses, sweat-soaked toil, and unwavering belief finally bore fruit. At 38 years and 9 months, he reminded the world that persistence can be the ultimate trump card.
Far from a one-off triumph, Vaughn backed it up throughout the season. Finishing fourth on the Pro Tour, he delivered the season of his life, even running the elusive 10.25m pass—one of only three skiers to achieve it this year.
Dane Mechler’s victory at the MasterCraft Pro felt like the culmination of a long, hard-fought journey. For years, Mechler had been the “nearly man” of pro slalom—always consistent, always in the mix, but never quite able to claim the top step. This time, the story ended differently.
His season had been anything but smooth. A broken foot, courtesy of an ill-fated leap through a CorrectCraft hoop and the challenges of balancing family responsibilities could have derailed him. Yet, when it mattered most, Mechler delivered. Skiing early in the final, he laid down a 4.5 at 10.25m—a score that stood tall against a stacked field, including favorites Nate Smith and Will Asher.
The celebration that followed was a moment to savor. With his picture-perfect family cheering from the sidelines, it was a victory that felt as personal as it was professional.
For Mechler, this wasn’t just another tournament; it was the tournament. A skier often labeled “the best never to win” finally got his moment, and the emotions at the finish said it all—relief, pride, and the satisfaction of proving that perseverance pays off.
In a sport often mired in safe, predictable skiing, Cornale is pure adrenaline. He doesn’t seem to know—or care—what an S-turn is. While others might have played it cautiously for a full five, Cornale went for broke, gunning to run the 10.25m (41′ off) pass. His 4.5 held up, delivering not just a win but a statement: fearless beats conservative.
And this wasn’t a one-off. Earlier in the season, Cornale had already turned heads with standout performances at Moomba and the Lake 38 ProAm. His Travers triumph wasn’t luck; it was inevitable.
With a mix of audacity and raw skill that makes veterans sweat, Cornale isn’t just a rising star—he’s the future. Get used to his name. This is only the beginning.
I’ve got mixed feelings about Italians. Part of me leans toward distrust—after all, history reminds us which side they fought on. But if I’m honest, it’s probably jealousy. No nation exudes cool quite like Italy, the land of the Corleones, Ferrari, and Sophia Loren. When I think Italian, I picture the tall, dark, cigarette-smoking guy who effortlessly steals your girl.
No slalom skier embodies that aura of effortless cool better than Brando Caruso. He’s the anti-hero of water skiing, unapologetically marching to his own beat. Feigned courtesy isn’t his style—he’s the guy throwing a death glare while reluctantly posing on the lower steps of a podium. Smooth, elegant, and unmistakably Italian, his skiing is a perfect reflection of who he is.
In the season’s finale, with the biggest cash prize up for grabs, Caruso took down a stacked field—Smith, Asher, Travers, and the rest of slalom royalty. This wasn’t just another win; it was a mic drop moment in a season that saw a record-breaking 10 different winners in men’s slalom.
His triumph was the perfect conclusion to a season full of surprises. It was a showcase of timing, perseverance, and talent, and for Caruso, it was a breakthrough that felt both satisfying and long overdue. Some moments in life are worth the wait—and this was one of them.
2024 was a year that flipped the script on everything we thought we knew about pro waterskiing. It was chaos, unpredictability, and opportunity all wrapped into one, especially in the men’s field, where a record number of first-time winners emerged. Old names faded, and new ones stepped up with the audacity to take it all. From teenagers defying expectations to veteran journeymen finally getting their due, the sport showed that it’s more open than ever to fresh faces. Meanwhile, the women’s field remained more stable, but even that seemed like the calm before the storm. This season didn’t just change the standings; it changed the very tone of the sport. We’ve entered an era where anything is possible, and it’s only going to get more interesting from here. Strap in—2025 might just be the year we see everything we thought was impossible, come true.
Another season of the Waterski Pro Tour has drawn to a close, delivering a whirlwind of action across 14 events, spanning six countries and boasting almost $500,000 in prize money. The Pro Tour, with its mission to weave a captivating season-long narrative by uniting various standalone professional events under a single ‘tour,’ has generally been a resounding success. Much akin to the glory days of the U.S. professional water ski tour (i.e., Coors/Bud Water Ski Tour), the aspiration here is to elevate securing the top spot in the standings to one of the most prestigious titles in the realm of water skiing. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that not all tournaments have chosen to be part of this evolving movement.
For the third consecutive year, our sport’s two longest-running and highest-prize-purse events, the U.S. and Moomba Masters, have decided to stand apart from the Waterski Pro Tour. Likewise, the Botaski Pro Am, which serves as a U.S. Masters qualifier and was a part of the Pro Tour in 2022, made a similar choice this year. Other smaller tournaments, such as the Fungliss Pro Am have also opted out.
Despite the overwhelming inclusion of professional events in the Pro Tour, we were curious to explore how the leaderboard might have appeared had all events been encompassed, similar to the old IWWF Elite Ranking List. Employing the same rules and methodology as the Pro Tour, we proudly present our Unofficial Professional Water Ski Rankings for 2024, offering an arguably more complete picture of the competitive landscape over the course of the full calendar year.
Slalom
As expected, we’re witnessing minimal changes in the slalom leaderboards, given the extensive pool of events already factored in. However, the addition of the U.S. Masters and Fungliss ProAm has valuted Cole McCormick from sixth up to second. Similarly, the inclusion of the Botaski ProAm moves Rob Hazelwood, one of only three men to win multiple slalom titles in 2024, into the top five. Besides these noteworthy shifts, the top positions in men’s slalom remain largely unaltered. On the women’s side, there are no changes in placement from the inclusion of non-Pro Tour events. This reaffirms the Waterski Pro Tour’s status as an accurate reflection of the world’s premier slalom skiers, particularly due to its critical mass of slalom-only tournaments.
Men’s
William Asher (480 points) –
Cole McCormick (303 points) +4
Nate Smith (296 points) -1
Jonathan Travers (294 points) –
Rob Hazelwood (244 points) +2
Women’s
Jaimee Bull (441 points) –
Regina Jaquess (433 points) –
Whitney McClintock Rini (386 points) –
Allie Nicholson (304 points) –
Manon Costard (268 points) –
Tricks
This is where the inclusion of non-Pro Tour events has the potential to shake things up the most, as only two events, the introductory level Swiss Pro Tricks and Monaco Slalom Cup, were featured in the Waterski Pro Tour for 2024. By incorporating the three highest prize purses from the trick event, we gain a much clearer perspective on the athletes’ performance throughout the year. However, changes for this season were minimal at the top of the list. Gonzalez, the only man to finish on every podium of the season hangs on to top spot, with Font and Labra staying tied for second. On the women’s side the top three is similarly unchanged, with Danisheuskaya and Cuglievan vaulting into the top five on the basis of their strong performances at the Moomba and U.S. Masters, respectively.
Men’s
Matias Gonzalez (116 points) –
Patricio Font (102 points, tiebreak) –
Martin Labra (102 points, tiebreak) +1
Jake Abelson (67 points) -1
Joel Poland (66 points, tiebreak) +1
Women’s
Erika Lang (134 points) –
Neilly Ross (124 points) –
Anna Gay Hunter (100 points) -1
Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya (69 points) +6
Natalia Cuglievan Wiese (45 points) new entry
Jump
Out of the seven professional jump tournaments held in 2024, five were featured in the Waterski Pro Tour, while the legacy events, the U.S. and Moomba Masters, opted out. Our rankings typically align with the Pro Tour, the only significant mover in this category is Ryan Dodd, whose mid season injury ruled him out of the majority of Pro Tour events. Dodd started the season with a victory at the Moomba Masters, then two runner up finishes in Moomba Night Jump and the U.S. Masters. Including these events propels him to fifth place in the rankings. Otherwise, any changes were essentially a reshuffling of podium placements.
Men’s
Joel Poland (312 points) –
Freddy Krueger (260 points)
Taylor Garcia (187 points) +1
Luca Rauchenwald (194 points) -1
Ryan Dodd (147 points) new entry
Women’s
Hanna Straltsova (240 points) –
Sasha Danisheuskaya (175 points) –
Brittany Greenwood Wharton (162 points) –
Lauren Morgan (128 points) –
Regina Jaquess (123 points) –
Overall
Finally overall skiing, which is not officially recognized as an event by the Waterski Pro Tour. The last two seasons have heralded in a resurgence for the discipline, with competition across four professional events on the WWS Overall Tour. These rankings, although using a different methodology, line up exactly with the final standings of the WWS Tour.
MIAMI, Fla. — In a sensational end to one of the most fiercely competitive seasons in professional water skiing history, Brando Caruso clinched his maiden pro victory at the Miami Pro Slalom, the final event of the 2024 Waterski Pro Tour. Held at the Greater Miami Ski Club, the Miami Pro Slalom was the highest cash-prize slalom event on the 2024 calendar and marked a dramatic conclusion to a season that saw a record number of unique winners.
Caruso, who became the 10th different winner in men’s slalom this year, emerged victorious against a field filled with world-class talent. “That was unexpected,” Caruso said, reflecting on his win. “I didn’t train as much as I used to, so I wasn’t expecting this, but I’ve been waiting for this moment for the last two, three years. Wow! I’m out of words.”
The 2024 men’s slalom season featured six first-time winners and matched the 2008 record for the most unique winners in a single year, making it the most competitive season in over a decade. Caruso’s victory at Miami placed him in rare company, as more new winners emerged this year than in the previous nine seasons combined.
The season also concluded with William Asher of Great Britain and Jaimee Bull of Canada securing the Waterski Pro Tour season championships for men and women, respectively. Asher’s frequent podium finishes across most of the season’s events cemented his lead, while Bull’s consistent performance saw her clinch her fourth consecutive Tour title. Whitney McClintock Rini added to the excitement by winning the women’s slalom in Miami, topping off an engrossing season for both men and women competitors.
For Caruso, the Miami Pro Slalom marked the peak of a career moment long in the making. The Italian skier had been on the edge of a major breakthrough, and his win stands as a testament to perseverance amid a season defined by close margins and fierce competition.
GRANBURY, Texas — Just one week after Canadian water skier Neilly Ross set a pending world record, Erika Lang has reclaimed her status as the world’s highest-scoring women’s tricks skier, achieving an impressive 11,450 points at the Timber Cove Record Tournament in Granbury, Texas.
Lang’s score surpasses the current record of 11,360 and edges past Ross’ pending 11,380-point run, potentially restoring the American’s position at the top of the sport. This comeback follows a remarkable week of intense competition and record-breaking, with Lang adapting her strategy after observing Ross’ innovative hand sequence.
Lang’s world record run
“11,450 points!! So excited to have set a pending World Record at the Timber Cove Record Tournament,” Lang shared after her performance. Her response highlights the fierce, fast-paced competition in women’s tricks skiing, where top athletes continually push the boundaries at each tournament.
Ross, 22, had made headlines just days earlier by setting the pending record in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her 11,380-point score was celebrated for its technical precision, featuring an innovative hand run that split her six flips into a series of wake spins and ski line tricks.
Lang, who also competed at the Okeeheelee tournament in pursuit of a world record, seems to have replicated Ross’ record-breaking run, learning and perfecting the sequence in the few days between the two events.
If ratified, Ross’ record would end Lang’s eight-year streak as record-holder, marking a potential passing of the torch in women’s tricks. However, Lang’s recent achievement could keep her at the forefront of the sport.
The escalating rivalry between Lang and Ross brings renewed excitement to the sport, with each record-setting performance intensifying the competition. Both scores are currently pending review from the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Canadian water skier Neilly Ross set a pending world record in women’s tricks with a score of 11,380 points at the Okeeheelee 3-Event Record Tournament this weekend, surpassing the current record by 20 points. If approved, Ross’s score would end U.S. skier Erika Lang’s eight-year streak as the record-holder, potentially marking a shift in the competitive landscape of women’s tricks skiing.
“11,380!! Well, I can’t believe I’m saying this right now, but today I set a pending world record!” Ross exclaimed on social media following the event. “For 16 years, I have put every ounce of effort into the dream of one day achieving this.”
Ross’ world record run
The record-setting run features an innovative hand sequence, in which Ross splits her six flips down the middle to perform a series of wake spins and ski line tricks. However, it’s her toe run that truly sets her apart, breaking 5,000 points—a rare feat for a female trick skier.
Ross, the youngest of the elite trio of Lang, Anna Gay, and herself, has long been considered one of the sport’s top talents. While Lang and Gay have traded off the women’s tricks record since 2013, Ross’s record-breaking performance may signal a changing of the guard, with the young Canadian now pushing the boundaries in an event where she set numerous records through the junior ranks.
If approved by the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation, Ross’s score would exceed Erika Lang’s current record of 11,360 set at the Travers LCQ in 2023.
The final stages of the 2024 season have featured a marathon sprint of professional tournaments, all located in Florida, the epicenter of world water skiing. Six tournaments over seven weeks at some of the world’s best sites showcasing incredible performances, with both new and familiar winners and season-long storylines coming to a thrilling resolution. But one thing has been noticeably absent: crowds.
That is, until the recently concluded MasterCraft King of Darkness (KoD), a night jump event with a festival atmosphere that harkens back to the days when water skiing was in the public eye and professional water skiing was a viable career for more than a dominant few.
This isn’t to say there was anything lacking in the events that preceded KoD. The Waterski Pro Tour events at Fluid and Travers featured excellent TWBC broadcasts and captivated waterski fans, especially with two first-time winners in the slalom event. The Travers Grand Prix is a unique and hugely popular event for both pro and amateur participants. Likewise, the WWS Overall Tour finale showcased the highest level of overall skiing our sport has ever seen, and the recap videos, although not widely viewed, have reintroduced a format with potential to engage the casual viewer.
But call me old-fashioned—nothing beats the energy of an in-person crowd. There’s a reason so many skiers name the Moomba Masters as their favorite event, and why the U.S. Masters has such an enduring legacy: the enthusiastic, knowledgeable on-site audience.
Professional water skiing at its core is a show, and KoD exemplified this with perfect choreography. There was no downtime, with adorable juniors, barefooters, show skiers, and even some Joel Poland theatrics keeping the energy high from start to finish.
The level of skiing at KoD will likely be what sticks in water ski fans’ minds: the highest slalom cut of all time, a women’s head-to-head with a 100% success rate at 10.75m (39.5’), and personal bests from Hanna Straltsova, Luca Rauchenwald, and Poland in jump. But to the casual spectator, it’s the competition itself that draws attention.
For perhaps the first time in 2024, women’s jump was a close battle, with Straltsova needing her final jump to surpass a resurgent Brittany Wharton. The men’s jump was equally intense, with Taylor Garcia and Luca Rauchenwald nearly forcing a second runoff of 2024 for their maiden pro wins, before Poland reasserted his dominance. Meanwhile, Freddy Krueger missed the podium for the first time in Waterski Pro Tour history, and even Dorien Llewellyn’s impressive 67m (220’) jump was only enough for fifth under the lights.
Credit is due to the organizers, who put extraordinary effort—and investment—into attracting such a fantastic crowd. Free attractions, a live band, food trucks, and a beer garden enticed the local community, and the event was prominently featured in local media throughout the lead-up. Once again, KoD was well attended.
This stands in stark contrast to the preceding four events, which were attended by few outside the competitors themselves. Live webcasts attracted several hundred more dedicated waterski fans, but it’s hard to imagine these events broadening the fan base like KoD did this weekend. Countless families and young children were exposed to the sport, perhaps inspired to give water skiing a try themselves.
It’s beautiful, suspenseful, uplifting—water skiing at its finest. And the sport needs more of it. King of Darkness, take a bow.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Spectators at the 2025 University World Water Ski Championships are in for a high-flying treat with the addition of the Moana Festival Flip-Off competition. The Flip-Off will take place on February 28, during the festival’s entertainment evening, part of the larger championships held from February 26 to March 2.
Organizers have announced that while the Flip-Off is not officially sanctioned by the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), it will be a highlight of the evening, showcasing the athleticism of the world’s top trick skiers. The eight highest-ranked athletes from the IWWF world ranking list competing in the World Championships will have the chance to participate in this dynamic, fast-paced event. Each skier will be given 20 seconds to complete as many flips as possible.
The competition is designed as a crowd-pleaser, offering a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the formal championship events. Along with a cash prize, the winner will receive a joyride in a MiG fighter jet over the scenic Coromandel Range. Additional prizes will be awarded to the crowd’s favorite skier, encouraging audience interaction.
Although the Flip-Off is not part of the official University World Championship program, it aims to entertain and engage the audience. Footage from the event may be included in the live stream or used for sponsor promotion. This fun, adrenaline-pumping event will be part of an evening that also features live music and food trucks at the venue.
This marks the first University World Water Ski Championships since 2016, and the first time the event is being organized by the IWWF.
The world of professional waterskiing is no stranger to high-stakes competition, moments of glory, and, occasionally, controversy. Earlier this year, veteran athlete Jonathan Travers found himself at the center of a storm—both literal and metaphorical. After a contentious Masters Last Chance Qualifier (MLCQ) event, Travers was dropped by his long-time sponsor, Nautique, after 14 years of partnership. Now, he has decided to speak out about the controversy that stemmed from that event, sharing his side of the story, how it has impacted his career, and the broader implications for the sport.
In an exclusive interview with Tony Lightfoot on the TWBC Podcast, Travers expressed frustration and disappointment with how the situation was handled. He believes his side of the story hasn’t been properly shared, and that many key factors leading to the dispute were overlooked.
Masters Qualifier Turns Sour
The incident occurred at Winter Garden Water Ski during the first MLCQ Series event of the year. This qualifier is crucial for skiers hoping to secure spots at the Masters Waterski and Wakeboard Tournament, one of the sport’s longest-running and most prestigious competitions.
Travers, along with five other athletes, tied for second place after two rounds, each scoring 4@10.25m (41′ off). With only three spots available, a runoff was scheduled to determine the qualifiers. However, strong winds had worsened conditions, making it unsafe for skiing. According to Travers, the Safety Director initially called off the runoff due to the weather, but the tournament organizers insisted that the competition continue.
“There’s a time and place for skiing in rough conditions,” Travers said, reflecting on the situation. “But when we’re skiing… at that kind of level… where there’s nothing on the line except to pay another entry [fee] to go to another tournament, it’s hard to make the the athletes ski in that.”
Travers voiced his concerns to the Chief Judge, requesting a brief break to let the weather improve. “I said, ‘We need to stop. There’s no reason to make us ski in [conditions like this]… In 20 minutes the weather says its going to blow through—it’s Florida.’” According to Travers, the conditions were so bad that he hadn’t skied in winds that rough even at Callaway Gardens, home to the US Masters, in over a decade of competing there.
Despite these concerns, the competition continued. Travers, who was first off the dock, managed only 1.5 buoys on his first pass, with the skiers having to tackle 10.75m (39.5’ off) in what multiple competitors described as a white capping tailwind. Travers believed it was too dangerous to continue. “I told the guys in the boat, ‘This is unskiable. Someone’s going to get hurt, and it’s not worth it at this event.’”
As Travers returned to the dock, he gestured toward the officials in the judges’ tower. He claims that he simply raised his hand as if to say, “What are we doing?” but others interpreted it as an obscene gesture. Upon reaching the dock, Travers discussed the conditions with the officials, reiterating his concerns. “I might have said some words I shouldn’t have, and I’m sorry for saying those if anyone was there but I have a lot of passion for this sport, I have a lot of passion for every single athlete, I care about every single person.”
Despite the ongoing objections, the runoff continued. Of the six skiers, only Joel Poland successfully completed his opening pass, earning his spot in the Masters alongside Will Asher, the only other skier to make it past three ball. Tragically, Dane Mechler broke his foot during the runoff, an injury that would force him to miss most of the 2024 season.
“What are we doing?” Travers asked, still incredulous. “We’re not at a pro event, we’re not at an event that someone ever should get hurt at from a conditions standpoint, if I got out there and I hit a buoy and break my foot, that happens, but when you’re trying to turn three ball at [10.75m] after an hour break, cold [start], in white capping conditions, that’s not fair”
The Fallout and the Dismissal
Following the event, Travers was asked to participate in an interview with tournament officials regarding a gesture he made toward the judges’ tower during the runoff. Travers explained that he had raised his hand in a questioning motion to express frustration about the unsafe conditions.
However, rumors began circulating that Travers had made an inappropriate gesture, alleging that he had flipped off the judges. This accusation led to his eventual dismissal from Nautique Boats. According to Travers, this claim was false. “No one even looked into the situation enough to realize for 21 years, I’ve used Clincher or Syndicate Connect gloves,” he explained, noting that these gloves make it physically impossible to separate the middle and index fingers or straighten your hand, let alone give someone the finger.
Travers expressed disbelief over the lack of investigation into the matter. He explained that several judges in the tower worked for Nautique, and he feels the incident was mishandled, resulting in what he describes as a “setup” that led to his firing. ” I wrote emails, I texted, I called—no one replies to me,” he said, adding, “I feel like I got bullied.”
A 14-Year Relationship Ends
For Travers, the dismissal was especially painful given his long relationship with Nautique, a company he had represented for nearly 14 years. “[I’ve] done everything possible for that company… I still believe in that brand, I still love that boat… but the people involved in it really hurt me.”
Despite the turmoil, Travers continues to train behind a Nautique boat daily. “We’re still a Nautique family,” he said, but voicing his disappointment with the individuals involved in his dismissal. Reflecting on the LCQ, Travers admitted that, in hindsight “I would change my attitude when I came back to the dock, but there’s nothing I did on the water to the judges that I could ever say that I wish I did something different.”
The incident also raises questions about Nautique’s consistency in handling skier conduct and disciplinary actions. Five years ago, another Nautique athlete, Ryan Dodd, gave a fiery and emotional speech after winning the World Championships, criticizing event organizers following an injury to Jack Critchley during challenging conditions. The speech led to the webcast of the finals being taken down and reuploaded with the speech censored. However, Dodd, a world record holder and world champion, appeared to receive more leniency from the company. Similarly, world record holder Nate Smith remained with Nautique for years despite facing far more serious allegations within the waterski community. Perhaps this was just a convenient way to get Travers, now 36, off the books?
A Call for Change in the Sport
Travers believes the incident at the MLCQ sheds light on larger issues within the sport, particularly around athlete safety and the Masters qualification process. He criticized the current system, which was altered during the pandemic, for incentivizing participation in the MLCQ over professional events. “Now they’re pushing for people not to got to pro events, not to do the [Waterski] Pro Tour and just to go to their [MLCQ] tournaments,” adding “In my opinion, it’s kind of like a monopoly where May is a Nautique month and they want us to go pay multiple entry fees for no cash prize to try qualify for their Masters.”
He also voiced concerns about the timing of the LCQ event, which takes place just a week before the Masters, making travel and accommodations extremely expensive and difficult to arrange. “If you qualify the weekend before the Masters, there’s no hotels available, there’s no houses available—everything’s outrageously expensive. [But] if you could book it in when you already know, in December or November, you have options.”
Travers calls for a return to the old Masters qualification system, where skiers earned their invitations based on their performance on the Waterski Pro Tour or the World Ranking List. In his view the previous system encouraged young skiers to compete in more pro events. That’s what motivated him when he was starting out.
Looking Forward
Despite the personal and professional setbacks, Jonathan Travers remains committed to the sport. He is currently ranked sixth on the Waterski Pro Tour slalom leaderboard after one of his best seasons in years, including a victory at the San Gervasio Pro-Am. By speaking out, he hopes to inspire change in how the sport is governed and how athletes are treated.
“It’s not fair to the athletes, and it’s not fair to the [Nautique] team—that they call a ‘team’—when they don’t have meetings or talk to us and understand our side of things.” He added, “Without athletes, our sport is nothing,” stressing, “we [can’t] keep beating ourselves up at events that don’t really matter.”
For now, Travers remains focused on moving forward, competing at the highest level, and continuing his work as one of the world’s most sought-after technical controllers. While his relationship with Nautique may have ended, his love for waterskiing remains as strong as ever.
Note: Return to Baseline reached out to a representative from Nautique Boats for comment prior to publishing this article but received no response.
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 are planned over the next three weekends. However, there will be significant cleanup required to get these sites tournament ready. 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.
Independent perspectives on tournament water skiing
