2027

Leon Larson “Protecting Water Ways and Water Skiers”

Leon has spent much of his life in water skiing, working locally while keeping his eyes on global change as a competitor, volunteer, official, and leader.

Leon has been actively involved in the Florida Water Ski Federation since 1976 and has served the Southern Region for many years as a state and regional officer, and as an AWSA committee member. Leon is a Senior Judge, Scorer, and Driver and has officiated more than 600 tournaments. Back surgery took him out of competitive water skiing in 2018, but he never stopped working for water skiing.

Leon has made substantial contributions to the sport's safety and environmental impact through his leadership role as Chairman of the IWWF Environment/Sustainability and Safety Committees.

“My best finish at nationals was 6th place, but I worked in so other ways to improve water skiing for everyone,” says Leon.

Leon's efforts to train and mentor new members, and his advocacy for waterways preservation, have left a lasting impact. Leon works worldwide on environmental issues that directly affect our sport, including water ski venues, towboat emissions, and reducing the carbon footprint of water skiing.

Leon says one of his biggest accomplishments is working on the waterways committee to keep so many locations open for water skiing.

“Promoting the sport and giving back to the sport is my favorite of all the work I have done. And my work at the inception of the safety committee and on the waterways committee is some of my best,” says Leon.