2027

Ed Hickey “Working for the Good of Water Skiing”

Ed started slalom water skiing while studying at the University of Florida, but he was told he would never be a good skier.  He says he liked it so much that it didn’t matter how well he performed.  He just wanted to just keep skiing.

Ed started skiing at the Greater Miami Ski Club in 1978. He won his first Nationals 23 years later in 2001. He went on to win six national gold medals in M4-M6.  He set the M5 National record in 2005, 1½ buoys at 10.25 meters (41 off). At the 2010 Senior Worlds, he won the gold medal in the S3 division.

“I won a few nationals, won the worlds, and set a few records,” says Ed.

“I just wanted to keep skiing and try to get a little bit better over time because I enjoyed it so much. Along the way, I learned discipline and focus. These skills were useful in other parts of my life including in business.  I learned that when I was able to focus on the process and continue to make small improvements, success followed. This took me a long way,” says Ed.

Far enough to build Hobe Lake and operate the Hobe Lake Ski Club, which helps make water skiing accessible to skiers at all levels, including many first-time skiers.

Ed also joined the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Board of Trustees in 2013 and soon faced a major challenge in his water-skiing life.  Ed took the reins of the Foundation in 2020 and helped bring it back from the edge of financial ruin.   

He helped guide the Foundation back to its core mission of the Hall of Fame and Scholarships, then handed over control to a new generation of leaders.

“The whole thing has been such a good ride,” says Ed. “I feel such gratitude for the dedicated volunteers at the Foundation, and I’m happy to see how successful the organization has become.”