https://www.usawaterski.org/news/2024/february/02/industry-veteran-kevin-michael-hired-as-executive-director-of-usa-water-ski-wake-sports

Kevin Michael Hired As Executive Director Of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports

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Kevin Michael hired As Executive Director Of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports

https://www.usawaterski.org/news/2024/february/02/industry-veteran-kevin-michael-hired-as-executive-director-of-usa-water-ski-wake-sports

Image: Brandon Thomas

USA Water Ski & Wake Sports is pleased to announce the hiring of Kevin Michael (Orlando, Fla.) as the organization’s next executive director. Michael, who will begin his new position with the national governing body of organized water skiing and wakeboarding on Feb. 5, takes over for Nate Boudreaux, who stepped down in November after five years with the organization.

Michael, 48, comes to USA Water Ski & Wake Sports with more than 30 years of experience in the towed water sports industry. He most recently served as the executive director of the Water Sports Industry Association during a nine-year tenure with the association.

“We are excited to announce the hiring of Kevin Michael as our new executive director,” said Bob Archambeau, president of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports. “Kevin comes to us with boating industry knowledge and ties to water sports manufacturers as well as experience initiating programs to bring a variety of water sports back to life. He has strong skill sets in association and event management as well as in-depth knowledge in media, digital marketing and branding. We can’t wait to get him started.”

Full article at USA Water Ski & Wake Sports.

81ST GOODE WATER SKI NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Watch: Highlights from the 81st Goode Water Ski Nationals | America’s Boating Channel

Video

Watch: Highlights from the 81st Goode Water Ski National Championships

By America’s Boating Channel


USA Water Ski & Wake Sports and the American Water Ski Association held the 81st Goode Water Ski National Championships in August 2023 at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, FL. Here is a look back on the storied history of the Water Ski National Championships.

The video is Featured Now on America’s Boating Channel’s free smart TV app on Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV, on AmericasBoatingChannel.com, and on its YouTube channel, as well as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social networks from Dec. 31 through Jan. 6.

The announcement was made by America’s Boating Channel’s Vice President of Smart TV, Kathy Strachan, and USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Senior Director of Communications & External Relations, Scott Atkinson.

“We’re thrilled to ring in the new year with an exciting documentary tracing the development of the Water Ski National Championships in the United States. This video has special appeal to more than five million American participants in towed water sports. Viewers can also enjoy a superb assortment of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports video titles available anytime at bit.ly/USAWSonTV,” said Strachan.

Atkinson said: “We’re excited to partner with America’s Boating Channel to promote not only our Water Ski National Championships video but also our full catalog of titles covering water ski and wakeboard instruction, water ski history, and show skiing.”

USA Waterski mandated SafeSport training for all members in 2022

SafeSport, USA Water Ski, and the Decline of Tournament Participation

Analysis

SafeSport, USA Water Ski, and the Decline of Tournament Participation

USA Waterski mandated SafeSport training for all members in 2022

Image: Aaron Katen

By Jack Burden


In 2022, USA Water Ski and Wake Sports (USAWS) implemented mandatory SafeSport training for all its members. This decision sparked controversy and heated debates among members (see the 36 pages of bickering on BallOfSpray). However, USAWS had little choice in the matter as the U.S Olympic Committee (USOC) imposed the requirement via Congressional mandate. Even if they were to break away from the USOC, any alternative organizing body would still face the challenge of obtaining exorbitantly priced or unattainable insurance coverage without a similar program in place. As we reflect on the past year, it becomes crucial to evaluate the impact of this mandate on tournament participation within the water skiing community.

The training aims to enhance awareness and prevent the sexual exploitation of minors in the sport, thereby ensuring a safer environment for young athletes. The initial course takes approximately one hour, followed by a brief 15-minute refresher annually, and is required for all members, including those unlikely to directly supervise youth activities. The concern lies not in the quality of the training—no one disagrees with its goals—but rather in the potential for adding another requirement for USAWS membership to further diminish the perceived shrinking membership base.

So, what does the data say? Tournament participation did indeed decline in 2022. However, this decline is part of a longer-term trend. Determining the specific impact of the SafeSport Mandate and whether it accelerated this decline is more challenging. In 2022, there were 220 fewer tournament participants compared to 2021—a decline of 7%. While significant, it pales in comparison to the 440 participants lost in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, of whom only about half returned in 2021.

Total rounds skied by class 2019-2022 (Source: USA Waterski)

Notably, there has been a consistent decrease in Class C tournament participation over the years. Conversely, record tournament participation has remained relatively stable over the past four years. This aligns with the notion that skiers who are more invested in the sport are more likely to undertake a one-hour training course or continue skiing despite a pandemic. Fluctuations in participation primarily occur among casual skiers who only compete in a few Class C tournaments per year, as they assess whether a $90 USAWS membership, a one-hour course, and tournament entry fees are worthwhile for the upcoming season.

Delving deeper into the trends of 2022, we observe clear patterns. Tournament participation at all levels experienced a setback in 2020, followed by a rebound in 2021. However, while record tournament participation remained unchanged from 2021 to 2022, Class C participation declined by 10%. Similarly, among skiers who enter five or fewer tournament rounds per year, membership declined by 15%, despite remaining relatively stable from 2019 to 2021.

For those concerned about the future of our sport, particularly at the grassroots level, these trends are alarming. Without a robust base of casual skiers, we lack a stable foundation for the expanding infrastructure of high-level competitive water skiing. The professional water skiing scene, thanks to TWBC, Waterski Pro Tour, and the WWS Overall Tour, is currently the strongest and most exciting it has been in the past 15 years.

Of course, declining tournament participation can be attributed to other factors, with affordability and accessibility being chief among them. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a vicious cycle: as the market for big-ticket items like ski boats shrinks, manufacturers continue to reduce production and position their boats as luxury items, further exacerbating the issue.

This is not to place the blame on SafeSport either. As noted at the outset, USAWS was compelled to act, and our sport is not immune to issues of sexual exploitation of minors. It is difficult to quantify the value of preventing another Larry Nassar.

The unfortunate reality is that SafeSport presents yet another barrier to the sport’s growth, and it is not going away. To attract more casual skiers, who make up a substantial portion of potential tournament participants, we need to find ways to increase the value proposition of tournaments. This may involve innovative formats, social activities, or lower entry fees. It is an uphill battle, but for the dedicated members of our community, it is a battle worth fighting.

Jimmy Simers trick skiing

Quiz: Skiers with the Most U.S. National Open Men’s Titles

Quizzes

Quiz: Skiers with the most U.S. national open men’s titles

By RTB


August 5, 2021

4 minute play

In this quiz, you have to name the skiers with the most U.S. national open men’s titles of all time.

The list contains sixteen skiers, all of whom have won at least five U.S. national titles in Open Men’s. The list contains some of the U.S.’ greatest ever skiers. We have mentioned the years of their first and last title, as well as their total.

Frankie Dees Trick Skiing

Quiz: Men with the Most U.S. National Titles

Quizzes

Quiz: Men with the Most U.S. National Titles

By RTB


July 24, 2021

4 minute play

In this quiz, you have to name the male skiers with the most U.S. national titles of all time.

The list contains fourteen skiers, all of whom have won at least twenty national titles across any division. The list is dominated by strong overall skiers with remarkable longevity. We have mentioned the years of their first and last title, as well as their total.

Janie Fausold Trick Skiing

Quiz: Women with the Most U.S. National Titles

Quizzes

Quiz: Women with the Most U.S. National Titles

By RTB


July 23, 2021

4 minute play

In this quiz, you have to name the female skiers with the most U.S. national titles of all time.

The list contains twenty-one skiers, all of whom have won at least twenty national titles across any division. The list is dominated by strong overall skiers with remarkable longevity. We have mentioned the years of their first and last title, as well as their total.