Two-time world record-holder and 2003 world champion Jeff Rodgers garnered some groundbreaking water ski success that drew attention from around the world in his 30-plus year water ski career. The South Carolina native began tournament skiing at age 17, winning his first Nationals in the boys’ division in 1984. Jeff went on to win multiple national and pro tour titles, set 16 national records, two world records, and won a world championship title. His career defining moment came in August 1997 as he did something that no other skier had ever accomplished before, running a full pass at 41 feet off at 36 mph.  He set the world record of 1 buoy at 43 off. These performances took the standard to a whole new level and solidified Jeff’s place as one of the greatest skiers of all time. Jeff tied his own world record and went on to win the gold medal in the men’s slalom at the Water Ski World Championships in Clermont. Jeff won the bronze and silver medals, respectively, in men’s slalom at the 2005 and 2007 Water Ski World Championships. In 2012 he capped an amazing career by setting a Masters Men division record of 1-1/4 buoys at 43 feet off.