Celebrating 100 Years - Waterskiing in the 90's

This week’s spotlight article features an athlete that has won 47 Pro Slalom Titles, 10 World Cup Titles, and 2 U.S. Masters Titles. He was a dominant slalom skier in the 1990’s and has been a consistent face in the waterski community for decades.

Do you know who it is yet?

If you guessed Wade Cox, then you are correct!

Wade’s dominant career landed him in the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. (Check out the video above to watch his induction ceremony intro and career highlights!) Today, Wade is still passionate about promoting the future of our sport. He hosts coaching clinics around the country, works with The Waterski Broadcasting Company, and even hosts his own podcast called Ski with Wade.

To stay up-to-date with Wade's events and involvement in the waterski community, check out his website, https://skiwithwade.com,

Want to attend next year's Hall of Fame Ceremony? Click the below to learn more.

2023 Hall of Fame

Throwback Thursday - Show Ski Legend, Willa Cook

To celebrate 100 years of towed watersports, we are highlighting several of our Hall of Fame inductees and this week we’re honoring Willa Cook.

Willa is best known for her innovative show ski routines and was inducted into the USA-WWF Hall of Fame in 1982.

"I was just a country girl," Willa said. "I knew pigs and chickens and horses, and I knew water, but little did I dream where water skiing would take me."

Her routines included never-before-seen tricks with her swivel ski and she even starred in tv shows and movies! She was the first person to choreograph music to waterski shows and worked for years at Cypress Gardens directing performances, designing costumes, and mentoring young show skiers.

Today, the Willa Cook Award is given annually to a deserving show ski athlete at the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Awards Banquet.

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“Banana George” Blair: Honoring his Life and Legacy

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of towed watersports, this week’s edition of “Throwback Thursday” highlights the legendary barefoot skier “Banana George” Blair.

George performed and competed all over the world during his barefooting career and was inducted into the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

Known for his unique nickname, "Banana George" was inspired by a fan because he wore a bright yellow barefoot suit and often ate a banana after his performances.

During his career, George operated two ski schools, performed at Cypress Gardens, and won multiple barefoot national titles. He even established a Guinness World Record for being the only person to ski on every continent – including Antarctica!

Today, George’s legacy lives on through the “Banana George” Blair Ambassador Scholarship Fund. This scholarship gives athletes the ability to pursue a college education, while still competing and working towards their dreams on the water. Read more about this scholarship and our distinguished student-athletes here.

Click the button below to support the “Banana George” Blair Scholarship Fund and our mission to support the next generation of watersports athletes!

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