Taylor Camann is Awarded the 2025 Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship

Taylor Camann from Auburn University has been awarded the $1,500 Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship.

"Receiving this scholarship means so much to me as a student committed to continuing my education while pursuing my passion for skiing at the collegiate level. I feel incredibly proud and deeply grateful for this opportunity."   says Taylor.

Being selected as a recipient of the Tim Olson Scholarship will significantly support my educational journey, helping me work toward admission into Auburn’s nursing program in the coming semesters. This funding will ease the financial burden, allowing me to fully focus on my academic goals without the constant stress of tuition costs.

My father, a former three-event skier, first introduced me to water skiing and helped me feel at home on the water. But when I discovered show skiing, it opened a whole new world for both of us. The creativity, teamwork, and challenge of this discipline sparked something in me. I was eager to learn, take lessons, and improve—and eventually, I felt called to give back by teaching others.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to lead multiple water sports clinics in my community. One of the most meaningful experiences was working with an adaptive program, where I helped individuals with disabilities get into their skis and provided side skiing support. But the experience that impacted me most came during the summer of 2023, when I led a five-week clinic for the Winter Haven Girls Inc. summer camp.

This program serves young girls from underrepresented and underserved communities, many of whom had never tried water sports before and were hesitant to even get in the water. I spent time listening to their stories, earning their trust, and gently guiding them to step out of their comfort zones.

Using land-based coaching and on-the-water support, I helped the girls develop the basics of water skiing. One technique I used was placing my hand on their backs to align their posture and give them the stability they needed to stay up on the skis. It helped build their confidence, and soon, their fear began to fade.

Because of the length of the program, I was able to work closely with each girl and tailor my teaching style to fit their individual needs. By the end of the clinic, every single girl was skiing on the boom, and many even progressed to skiing behind the boat. One unforgettable moment was when one girl dropped a ski behind the boat—her joy was contagious, and it motivated the others to try it too.

Many of the girls said it was the most physical activity they had ever done, and they were excited to be part of something so positive. Water skiing not only taught them new skills but also gave them a sense of confidence and belonging. They were proud of their progress and eager to share their success with others.

After the clinic, both Girls Inc. and the Cypress Gardens Ski Team were featured in an interview with Fox 13 News, which helped shine a spotlight on the impact of the program and introduced many new people to the world of show skiing. It was a powerful reminder that with support, patience, and encouragement, this sport can create lifelong memories—and empower a whole new generation of skiers.

The Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship was established by the family and friends of Tim Olson. A special provision of the scholarship is that it is to be given to a wake boarder or show skier.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation is very proud of our young athletes and honored to support their future academic needs. You can help support our mission by joining or donating to the foundation.

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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 and Collegiate Grant Programs and the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame.