The 2020 Nationals was originally scheduled for Aug. 4-8 at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, Fla., however, the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches decided to pull out as the local organizing club due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on South Florida.

The nation’s top water ski athletes will compete for national titles in slalom, tricks, jumping and overall in respective age divisions and two Open divisions during the five-day tournament.

Advancement to the world’s largest three-event water ski tournament is primarily earned through placement on the national rankings list. Athletes also can qualify by placing in the top-five in the previous year’s event or at respective 2020 regional championships.

The first national championships was held in 1939 at Jones Beach in Long Island, N.Y. Except for three years during World War II (1942-1944), the Nationals has been held every year since 1939.

GOODE Skis, a National level sponsor of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports, has been the title sponsor since 2000.

More information on the Nationals, including a revised schedule of events, will be posted at www.usawaterski.org in the coming weeks as it becomes available.

A message from Greg Meloon, President of Nautique Boat Company:

I hope this finds all of you and your families safe and healthy. On March 19th, we announced the postponement of the 61st Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament® based upon health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nautique Boat Company truly cares about your health and well-being. We continue to stay informed and are in close contact with local, state and federal officials to help guide us in making informed decisions regarding the Masters Tournament.

In cooperation with Callaway Resort & Gardens, the IWWF and the WWA, Nautique Boat Company has selected August 28-30th, as the projected dates to host the 2020 Nautique® Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament® presented by GM Marine Engine TechnologyTM. As additional details are disclosed in the upcoming months, we will continue to focus on all mandated guidelines and safety measures to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

I would like to thank all of you for being extremely patient with us, as we navigate this fluid situation. We understand the effects of these announcements, and the impact they may have on spectators, sponsors and athletes alike. Additional information will be made available on www.masterswaterski.com as more information becomes available.

Again, your patience is appreciated as we plan for the 61st Masters Tournament this August.

Regards,

Greg Meloon
President
Nautique Boat Company, Inc.

USA-WSWS Members,I hope everyone has been staying healthy and safe during these unprecedented times. As our communities begin to re-open and get back to some sense of normalcy, USA-WSWS has been working diligently with the USOPC and our Sports Disciplines to create “return to play” guidelines for our sport.First and foremost, the health and safety of our members is our top priority. Our return to play guidelines is meant to provide athletes, coaches and event organizers with best practices and recommendations regarding return to safe water ski activity.Individual water ski activity is considered low risk for COVID-19 transmission; however, the circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly.

Beginning on May 18, 2020, USA-WSWS will resume sanctioned activity for practices, exhibitions, basic skills clinics, and tournaments.  It is the responsibility of each club and/or LOC to abide by all public health authorities and local and state government guidelines when determining to host an event in their respective geographic area.

High risk individuals, including older adults and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus and are recommended to avoid sanctioned activity involving groups at this time.

View full USA-WSWS return to play guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding return to play.

In addition, each Sport Discipline will work with USA-WSWS to create additional best practices for their event organizers (e.g. AWSA recommendations for tournament hosts and NSSA Scenarios and FAQ).

We hope to see everyone back on the water soon.  #WeAreWaterSkiThanks,

Nate Boudreaux
Executive Director

2020 Spring Season USA Water Ski & Wake Sports pulled all event sanctions up to May 17, 2020. This effectively canceled all Spring NCWSA tournaments. The FSC Collegiate Spring tournament (20U038C) was the only NCWSA Spring tournament to occur prior to the USA-WSWS sanction pull. 

Additional Spring Eligibility NCWSA skiers do not use a season of eligibility if they do not ski A-Team. This means the vast majority of our skiers retain the Spring season of eligibility that would have been consumed by Spring 2020 skiing. However, the NCWSA Board of Directors has voted to grant an additional season of Spring eligibility to all skiers that participated in the tournament that featured Florida Southern College and Rollins College skiers in February 2020. The six-year eligibility clock still applies to the consumption of eligibility. 

2020 NCWSA All-Stars The Illinois stay at home order was extended to May 30th making NCWSA All-Stars impossible at its current date. Due to the extension as well as the high potential for group size restrictions after the order, the 2020 NCWSA All-Stars tournament is postponed until after June 30th, 2020. 

2020 NCWSA Team USA Selection Team USA was set to be selected at Team Trials, but Team Trials was coupled with All-Stars and is now canceled due to team selection needing to occur prior to potential future 2020 NCWSA All-Stars dates. The NCWSA Board of Directors has opted to switch from Team Trials to using rankings for selection. Skiers may read the updated eligibility and deadlines in the Team USA Selection Procedures document. Tournament scores between January 1st, 2019 and June 15th, 2020 will be used in the selection process. Skiers must submit an intent to participate to the NCWSA Chair, Jeff Surdej (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), by May 30, 2020. No minimum scores are required to submit an intent to participate. An intent submission will place you on the list of potential skiers for University Team USA selection based on rankings. 

The Rest of 2020 At this time we cannot make any decisions about future NCWSA tournaments from All-Stars' new date through the entire 2020 Fall season. Universities potentially staying online for the Fall term and statewide gathering restrictions are two of the many unknowns in our future. As the season approaches, we will openly communicate any cancellations or alterations as soon as we can.

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Since our humble beginnings in 1968, MasterCraft has been committed to delivering the best on water experience for you and your family. Today, every MasterCraft is a reflection of that commitment — we are passionate about ensuring your time on the water brings maximum joy.

We recognize the days ahead will be challenging. During this unprecedented time, we will remain true to the very core of our company — providing you and your family with valuable time together. 

Our thoughts and hearts go out to those around the world currently impacted. We are confident that by standing together and supporting each other, we'll emerge from this stronger than before.

Boating season is just around the corner, our lakes, rivers and waterways will remain open. We are staying positive during this time and looking forward to spending time with friends and family in a safe environment. 

Please stay safe and stay strong, 
Your MasterCraft Family

Based on the recent recommendations from the CDC regarding events and large gatherings, and after consultation with our Executive Committee, USOPC leadership and insurance broker, USA Water Ski & Wake Sports has made the decision to suspend all sanctioned competition and activities until May 17, 2020.  

With the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19) escalating daily, the need to suspend sanctioned activities is a complicated but necessary resolution to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our members and the public at large.

All events, including tournaments, basic skills clinics and practice/exhibitions, that have been sanctioned through May 17 will have those sanctions removed. Please be aware that without a USA Water Ski & Wake Sports sanction, there are no official tournament scores or insurance coverage for the LOC or participants.   

We will continue to monitor the CDC as well as Federal, state and local government for guidance on the Novel COVID-19 Virus. We hope to resume normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so.

As a reminder, all members, volunteers and supporters are encouraged to stay home if they feel sick and should practice good hygiene habits as prescribed by the CDC. This includes refraining from touching your face, thoroughly washing your hands throughout the day, wiping down surfaces, not shaking hands, and practicing good cough and sneeze etiquette.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports.

Nate Boudreaux
Executive Director

With the developing situation affecting businesses everywhere, Bennett’s Water Ski & Wakeboard School are doing our best to operate as normal with group bookings and ski school deals. Still looking to take advantage of our April special? Collegiate skier with a little more time on your hands? Or just want to book short get-away to tri-lakes? Bennett’s will be sure to cater to your needs and keep you out on the water!

Please call Anne Bennett on (225) 938-1498 for more information and pricing information.

In this Winter 2020 edition of SkiTips, I recently had the opportunity to sit down with a guy that I become more impressed with the more I get to know. He runs 39, runs a pro tournament, runs a podcast, and has already psychoanalyzed you in the meantime. For the 1st of my new interview format titled Forthcoming, meet Matteo Luzzeri:

So what's up? You are a pretty busy guy right now.

Hey Pete. Yeah, quite busy at the moment. I was just cleared to defend my dissertation, which will take place on March 12th. Five days later, I am moving back to Italy for good after almost 13 years living in the US. So right now, life is a juggle between boxes and PowerPoint presentations.

Tournament organizer, waterski coach, pro division skier, podcast host, and PhD. What would you like to be most recognized for?

Probably as a strange combination of the first four. Throughout the years, I have always tried to keep my skiing separate from my career. However, after I started the PhD program in Sport Psychology here at Florida State University, the connection between the two sides of my life became stronger. I am trying to be what you could call an ambassador for the sport of water skiing, trying to grow the sport and promote it the best way I can.

But the podcast is consuming the most amount of your time.

I would say it became a strong component of my scheduling. Trying to fit time in for travel, learning equipment, recording, post-production, promotion… I knew it was going to be an adventure when I started, but you always end up underestimating the time commitment.

Read more: Forthcoming: The Matteo Luzzeri Interview by Pete Shoemaker