BUMPASS, Va. (CBS19 SPORTS) -- When many people start waterskiing, they take it up as a hobby to enjoy on a nice summer day.
"We didn't know about any competitiveness," said 12-year-old water skier Caroline Quimper. "We kind of thought you just stand on the skis and you have fun."
But about 40 skiers of all ages and abilities from across the country, traveled to Louisa County on Saturday for one last run of the season.
"It really felt like a big group hug, which was exactly what we wanted," said professional water skier Corey Vaughn
He is currently ranked 10th in the world in men's slalom skiing in the world. Vaughn also holds records at the state and regional level. He's now passing on his knowledge at the Bumpass Water Ski Club and spearheaded his own competition on Saturday.
Forthcoming: The Dane Mechler Interview
First off, it's been a while now since our last piece went out, so my apologies for the long pause. But in this Fall 2020 edition of Forthcoming, I had a minute to hook up with my good buddy, Dane Mechler, for a little one-on-one. Hope you enjoy:
So what's up, Dane... how are you?
I am doing great, Pete. Hard to believe we are nearing the end of 2020. I think we can all agree that we are looking forward to a fresh start in 2021. Hope you are doing great.
What are you doing right at this moment?
Just doing a bit of off-season traveling right now. Orlando last week and Europe as of this moment.
I've really respected your skiing / career / relationship balance over the past couple of years, what has motivated you to live your life this way? And how has it impacted your skiing?
Thank you, Pete. Skiing is a huge part of my life, but it is not everything to me. I love having a career to work towards outside of skiing and there are so many parallels between the two. Unfortunately so many start a career after college and fall out of our sport. For me, this was not an option, and I am motivated to work hard every day to try to be successful at both. Waterskiing is my passion and I could not imagine life without it. If a weekend tournament does not go my way, it does not matter because I am truly standing on the starting dock because I love it.
I know you fought with ski sizes a bit this year, as you are someone who falls right in between lengths. I know the struggle. What did you end up going with, and why? What advice might you have for someone going through the same issue?
2020 was a year of testing and learning for me. I spent most of the season on a 67-inch Goode XTR. There was so much I loved about riding a bigger ski but in the end it, the 66 XTR is better for me at 41. With any major equipment change such as a change in ski size, there is always a tradeoff. Understanding what aspects of a ski/setup compliment your style/technique is extremely important. Always do your best to set up your ski for your hardest pass while it may be tempting to continue riding a ski that feels great on your easier passes.
But you had a good season still. What were the highlights, and I guess, lowlights too?
2020 was somewhat frustrating because I had one of the best years performance-wise in practice but it didn’t quite translate into the results I was looking for in the events. The biggest highlight was fighting my way into the finals at the MasterCraft Pro finally turning two-ball at 41 and getting over to 3. In general, the lowlight of the season was my struggle getting out of 2-ball at 41. This happened in the semi-final at Malibu Open and then it got into my head from then on. Going down twice at 2-ball at the Swiss Pro Slalom made for a difficult drive home. It is important to know when you need a change, and this day was the sign.
Episode #4 -- Jaimee Bull (@Jaimee_Bull) and MB talk about the most important fundamental in water skiing: Athletic Stance. Jaimee is an unbelievably accomplished skier and is one of the few women who have ever completed the 10.75m (39.5 off) pass. This is the first, in a multiple part series, with Jaimee Bull. Please leave a comment and let us know what you think, what you wanna hear more of, and who you want to hear more from.
For more on the FlowPoint Method, check us out online: https://www.flowpointmethod.com/the-program
20th November 2020
Maria Isabel Mancheno from Colombia was elected President of the IWWF Pan American Confederation (IWWF Pan Am) earlier today during the IWWF Pan Am Congress held virtually. Maria Isabel has been Vice-President of IWWF Pan Am since 2018 and succeeds Jeffry Armstrong from the USA who has stepped down from her role after 3 years of service.
At national level, Maria Isabel was President of the Colombian Waterski and Wakeboard Federation from 2014 to 2018. Her other appointments include being a member of the IWWF World Wakeboard Council and Chairperson of the IWWF Pan Am Wakeboard Council. She has been involved in multi-sport games as Technical Delegate for the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games in Qatar, 2017 Bolivarian Games held in Colombia and 2015 Colombian National Games.
Maria Isabel who is fluent in Spanish, English and German will join Karen McClintock, who was re-elected Secretary-General of IWWF Pan Am, as a member of the IWWF Executive Board with immediate effect.
Congratulations, Maria Isabel!
Van Dyk, Rhonda On Wednesday November 18, Rhonda Kaye Van Dyk (Wishnew), a loving mother, wife and friend, passed away due to complications associated with Covid-19 at the age of 62. Rhonda was born November, 1958, and was raised in Elmhurst, IL with her two siblings, Roger and Robin. In August of 1982, she married Dan Van Dyk and had two daughters whom she loved dearly, Jessica and Jackie. She had a passion for people that shined through everything she did. She loved her family first and foremost and never failed to step up and help. Those who were fortunate enough to meet her also knew this love and were immediately welcomed into her ever growing little family. She was one of the kindest, most generous, and selfless humans and will be dearly missed by everyone she knew. She loved her work at Mel Trotter Ministries as the Events Director and regularly volunteered for the USA Adaptive Water Ski & Wake Sports Association. Her selfless dedication to the people of Grand Rapids through Mel Trotter and her passion for the sport and people in the water skiing community was unmatched. Rhonda was preceded in death by her father, Howard. She is survived by her husband Dan; her two daughters, Jessica and Jackie; her mother Cynthia; her sister Robin and her brother Roger; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the USA Adaptive Water Ski and Wake Sports Association in her name. www.usaadaptivewaterski.org/donate. There will be no public Celebration of Life until it can be done safely, hopefully in the spring or summer of 2021.
Episode #3 -- Matteo Luzzeri and MB talk about an incredibly important concept: How the best skiers in the world are the best at managing their relationship in space, relative to the boat.....as well as how this can help any skier at any level. For more on the FlowPoint Method, check us out online: https://www.flowpointmethod.com/the-program
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Read more: Lake County Selected To Host 2021 IWWF World Waterski Championships