Elaine Bush – Water Skiing “Leading by Example”

Elaine Bush is recognized within the competitive water-skiing community as a long-time leader, technical official, event organizer, and contributor to the growth of tournament skiing in the United States and internationally.

One of her most significant contributions to the sport was co-founding and developing Shortline Lake in Elk Grove, California, in 1982 with her husband, Will Bush, which has hosted numerous world-class tournaments across nearly all major sport disciplines.

Elaine’s career has extended far beyond lake ownership. She has served in numerous leadership and governance positions within USA Water Ski & Wake Sports and the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation.

Elaine is also highly respected as an elite official and has traveled the world officiating as a judge and driver. She is an International Judge(J1) and International Driver(D1), and has worked the Moomba Masters, U.S. Masters, U.S. Open, Malibu Open, MasterCraft Pro, California Pro Am, Big Dawg Series, and multiple U.S. Nationals and Western Regional Championships.

Elaine is always focused on “paying it forward” in water skiing, and her volunteer work at all levels has strengthened the sport.

When asked how she reacted when she learned she was receiving the Award of Distinction, she said: “I was speechless… I am still trying to process! It’s pretty darn cool.”