Ralph Samuelson Scholarship sponsored by the community of Lake City, Minnesota

College Scholarships for young towed water sports athletes are at the core of what we do here at the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation. We are proud that one of our scholarships is now being funded by Lake City, Minnesota, the birthplace of water skiing.

The $1000 Ralph Samuelson Commemorative Boys 3 Scholarship will be awarded for the first time in 2024. Funded by "Destination Lake City, the Birthplace of Water Skiing," the Boys 3 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA National Water Ski Championships each year. The foundation holds the money in escrow until the athlete attends the university of their choice. https://www.visitlakecity.org/the-birthplace-of-water-skiing/

Ralph Samuelson water skied for the first time on Lake Pepin in Lake City on July 2, 1922

"Lake City is where it all began, so it's only natural that we wish to see watersports continue to grow. Working with the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Foundation, we're able to support the next generation of water skiers with this scholarship," says Destination Lake City Board Member Marco Molinari, who worked with Destination Lake City President John Hutchinson to fund the new Ralph Samuelson Scholarship.

For a list of all our scholarships and recipients from 1983 until now, click HERE.

More than 18 people learned to water ski at the Foundation's 2023 Get On the Water Event in Lake City.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation hosts a free learn-to-waterski event in Lake City every year during the annual Water Ski Days, and we're honored Lake City is supporting our scholarship program. We are also working with Destination Lake City to help bring water skiing to a new regional interpretive center. We enjoy our continued partnership with the Birthplace of Water Skiing!

"Success and happiness is learning how to look at challenges and problems as opportunities,

whenever either might arrive," says Jon Samuelson, son of Ralph Samuelson.

For more information on our college scholarship program or to apply, visit our website: https://www.usa-wwf.org

Established in 1968, the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation celebrates the history of all towed water sports and promotes these sports through our Scholarship Programs and the Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame.