USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation’s Hall of Fame 2026 Award of Distinction

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced the five recipients of the Foundation’s 2026 Award of Distinction.

Paul Chapin, Mario Fossa, Scott Pellaton, Lisa Steiner and Karen Truelove will be honored as Award of Distinction recipients along with Hall of Fame inductee Freddy Krueger at the 2026 USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Winter Haven, Fla. on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

PAUL CHAPIN

Chapin’s contributions to the sport and his water skiing accomplishments exceed 50 years. Since 1963 he has competed in more than 50 Nationals in all age divisions, plus Open, with numerous top-five placements since 1970 in all three events. In addition, since 2003 Chapin has served the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation as a trustee and past president.

MARIO FOSSA

Fossa was a pioneer of kneeboarding, inventing signature moves like the surface roll and air roll, which opened the floodgates for all sorts of flips without using the towboat’s wake. He set 13 world records during his career and is the only kneeboarder to have set a world record at least once in all events – flip out, slalom and tricks. He was the American Kneeboard Association’s national flip out champion from 1985-1990.

SCOTT PELLATON

Pellaton was an avid water skier, barefooter, industry leader, and ambassador for the sport. He was affectionately known as the fastest man on two bare feet. At 135.74 mph on Firebird Lake on Nov. 11, 1989, Pellaton became the undisputed king of speed barefooters.

LISA STEINER

Steiner has been a Senior Judge since 1996, and Pan Am Judge since 2009. She has served as Chief Judge of the Worlds (2015), U.S. Masters (2012-2014), and Disabled Worlds (2003, 2015), and as an assistant chief judge or judge at multiple national championships and other major international tournaments. She received the Tommy Dorwin Award (presented to the outstanding official) at the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Nationals Her experience as a top U.S. official contributed to her value on the American Water Ski Association’s Rules Committee and International Activities Committee over the years.

KAREN TRUELOVE

Truelove was a multi-time major slalom champion, winning slalom titles at the Moomba Masters, U.S. Masters, U.S. Open, Canadian Open, Pan American Games, Pan American Water Ski Championships, and U.S. Nationals. She collected more than 25 pro victories on the Pro Tour and World Cup and was a multiple-time U.S. Elite Water Ski Team member during her illustrious career.

The Award of Distinction was created to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to our sport. They may include tournament skiers, innovators, industry leaders, officials and others responsible for landmark achievements in the development of water skiing as well as those whose long periods of dedicated and generous service deserve special recognition. Even those who have later become famous outside the sport and others whose contributions have been in the form of resources or public relations are eligible for nomination for the Award of Distinction.