Gus and Pat Johnson have been involved with the sport of water skiing since the 1950s.

Gus learned to ski on the small family pond in 1953 in Jefferson, Ga.

In 1957, he became the 14th member of the American Barefoot Club.

In 1958, he was a founder of the Buoy Shavers Ski Club on Lake Lanier, the first of many water ski clubs he has organized. Over the last 30 years, he has been a sponsor for over 120 USA Water Ski sanctioned events.  Many US National Records, International National Records, and multiple World Records have been set at the events.

He won the overall event in the first two Georgia State Championships when they were run by the Georgia Jaycees.

He has been a long time official and served as President, Vice-President, and Director of the Georgia Water Ski Federation.  He has since been the Chairman of the Georgia Hall of Fame Selection Committee 2006 to 2013.

On the International scene, he has been the 2004 Captain and the 2006 and 2008 Manager for the 35+ USA Water Ski Teams for the Senior Worlds.  In 2014, he served as the Manager for the 35+ World Team with over 120 participants representing the USA.  He was an original member of the 35+ IAC Sub-Committee and is currently the Chairman.

Water skiing has always been a passion and he has enjoyed supporting the career of his son Jody and others of all levels.

Gus was elected to the Georgia Water Ski Hall of Fame in 2014.  He was also named the Volunteer of the Year for both the American Water Ski Association and USA Water Ski.