Footnfoundations had another fun, exciting and successful season in 2011.
One of the greatest attributes of running a ski school is that I get to meet people from all walks of life. From young to old, everyone has a different tale to tell. And the 2011 season just picks up where 2010 left off. No two seasons are the same, but one constant is the enjoyment I get from meeting different people.
2011 was a little different in that we have begun to see a steady core of clientele returning. In 2011 we, again, were busier than the previous year, but we were serving a steady stream of repeat skiers. This made it quite challenging for scheduling because I was dealing with full boats more often than not.
U.S. team member and FF's sponsored skier, Laura Szwed spent all of July and part of August at the school. FF's skier, Amber Rangel was a weekly regular as was Tom Hille, from Random Lake Wi. FF's skier Skyler Lehman also frequented the school quite often.
Overall, team FF's had a good tournament season. Laura placed well at regionals and Nationals. Amber doubled her trick scores from 2010 and medaled in every event she skied. Skyler, skiing his 1st 3- event tournament, blew away his competition, as well. And I accomplished my goal of qualifying for worlds which will be here in that states, at Waco Texas, the end of August.
Jenny Blake, from Illinois, also spent a week with us and greatly improved her skiing, learning solid front 1 foots, back 1foots and toes on the shoes and longline back deeps. She has committed for some extended training in 2012 and is definitely climbing the ladder.
2012 looks to be another busy season. Laura will be here all summer, as well as Amber and Skyler.
We look forward to skiing with any and all of you who are eager to learn or advance their barefooting skills. Schedule early, because it's going to be busy
Ski ya soon!
KK
Amber Rangel, 16, from Caledonia, IL. joins Laura and Kyle Szwed as one of FF's sponsored skiers.
During the ski season, Amber spends most of her time in or on the water. Amber has skied for the Ski Broncs of Loves park for 8 years learning show ski acts - Swivel, ballet, jumping and BAREFOOTING - her favorite!. In 2008 she was voted MVP of the D2 show ski nationals. She was awarded the highest scoring barefoot act, performing a front toe hold.
Amber will be a junior at Belvidere H.S. in the fall. She has been on the varsity swim team for two years and has recently been " recruited" to the dive team.
We are excited to have Amber on board and look forward to the opportunity to guide her in her barefooting career..
Welcome Amber!!
KK
Kyle Szwed, soaring to new heights!
Garrett Schmelling of Merrill Wisconsin and Sam Brunclik of Merton Wisconsin are the two newest backward barefooters in the state.
Garrett came to FF's for two days
with hopes of tumble turns and one foots. He left with basic and reverse tumbles on the 5 foot, basic and reverse one foots on the 5 foot, basic one foot on the Long Line, and a back deep on the 5 foot!!
Sam, barefooting for his 7th time ever, came away, after one day with a 5 foot tumble, a 5 foot basic one foot, windshield wipers and 3 back deeps on the 5 foot!!
2011 clinic at the Blue Moo
Once again we will be hosting a clinic prior to the Wisconsin open on Fri.June 24th. The clinic will begin promptly at 8:00 am and run until 3:00. The cost is 25.00, which includes four sets a cookout and entry into the tournament for 1st time 3 event skiers.... Speaking of the tournament, this year, for the first time ever we will be awarding cash prizes to the top 5 Pb's (personal bests) in either slalom or tricks. You must have a pb already established to be eligible.... For the first timers we will be giving a modest 50.00 payout to the top score... Should be exciting!!
Headzone helmets!
Headzone is an instructor to skier audible helmet that allows us to talk to you instead of yell. This is rather significant for a few reasons. 1: It allows the skier to stay focused on the task at hand instead of trying to interpret a hand signal or comprehend what I am yelling at you.. It also allows the instructor to explain to the student how their current run went on the way back to picking up the skier, instead of having to wait until I get to you. 2: It also provides some protection, particularly for backward falls. The helmet fits snug and offers no tugging or bucketing of water. I can't tell you how excited I am about having these helmets as a new training tool...
Come try 'em out!
2008 Coaches Of The Year Selected
· Posted by: usaws
· On:
· In: USA-WS
Brandi Hunt (
"I commend Brandi Hunt, Gary Bouchard and Ken Kaestner for displaying excellence in coaching and devoting countless hours to the sport," said Steve Locke, USA Water Ski’s executive director. "Water skiing could not be where it is today without the support and dedication of these fine coaches."
Hunt was the coach of the Under 13, Junior and 17 to 20 Water Ski Teams that participated in the 2008 Pan American Water Ski Championships in
Bouchard also has worked closely in the development of A.J. Porreca and Jamie Kumlien, who were both selected to the 2009 U.S. Junior Barefoot Water Ski Team.
Kaestner has had a hand in coaching some of the most successful skiers at the Barefoot Nationals, including U.S. Elite Barefoot team member Laura Szwed. Kaestner has proven to be a highly dedicated athlete and instructor with the ability to motivate his students. He has played a major role in many careers contributing a great amount of effort and time into the sport.
When I first met Alex at the 2008 midwest regionals she was 6 years old and had a passion for barefooting.Coming from a waterski family, and daughter of open tricker, Jim younblood, she was already ahead of the game.
While in Michigan last summer to ski their state tournament I had a chance to witness Alex do a dolphin start on the 1' extension.... perfectly! Needless to say, I was amazed. The funny thing was, she would drag on her stomach and do a dolphin start, but didn't want any part of a traditional deepwater.
After the tournament I stayed in Michigan to do a clinic at the Szwed's. I was told Alex would be attending and I was excited to have her come out. During her time on the water I had her do a few cable starts and a boat load of sit-down stand-ups to get her familiar with what she'd be feeling on a deep start. Near the end of the day I was successful in convincing her to at least let me power up and drag her in the deep position, on the 5'. Although unsuccessful on the start, I believe it was a breakthrough for Alex, in that , she now knew she could do it.
After the clinic, while at the Midwest regionals, I presented Alex with a challenge: Do a 5' deep start, film it and send it to me, and I'd give her a handle. By October, it was a done deal. Her new goal for 2010 is to do it Long Line. I say, it isn't a problem... In fact, I predict, she'll fully achieve her goal and set and pass new one's before the season is over.
Alex is just one of many young skiers I've had the pleasure to work with, and is a bright talented future to our sport. She's energetic, polite, confident, and just a joy to work with and be around. Keep it up Alex, we'll be watching!
Some of Alex's accomplishments are:
Skiing by age 3
She once skied for 45 minutes straight
Did 180, yes 180 wake crossings on 2 skis, in one run.
Loves wakeboarding and snow skiing
Favorite footer's are: Joe Knapp, Laura Szwed and MOi....
KK
