Post-Tournament Report Policy

Effective 1/1/2014

After further research and evaluation, it has been found that more than 10% of the tournaments sanctioned by USA Water Ski had outstanding post-tournament paperwork (Safety Director’s Report, Scorebook, Officials Work Record, etc.) in 2011 and 2012. Our current policy consists of working with the individual Sport Discipline Presidents and EVPs  to collect as much of the paperwork as possible.  USA-WS withheld future sanction approvals only from those LOCs who failed to return Safety Director’s Reports. Unfortunately, this policy has not been as effective as we had originally hoped.

The competition department has been working with Dave Clark to introduce the automated email notification system currently used by AWSA, NCWSA and WSDA (Class C and higher tournaments) to all Sport Disciplines. This will include USHA, AKA, ABC, USA-WB, NSSA, NWSRA and all GrassRoots Series events. Although NSSA and NWSRA are not currently sanctioning events online, the new policy will still apply to these two disciplines.  Online programming is slated for them in the future.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of super volunteer Dave Clark, this automatic email system will be in operation no later than May, 2013.

The system will be set up to send periodic automated email notifications to the designated recipients (as specified by the Sport Discipline Presidents) with outstanding reports to remind them of submission requirements and deadlines.  This automated process has been very effective with AWSA, NCWSA and WSDA resulting in only a few missing documents and will significantly help us with the rate of return of post-tournament paperwork from all disciplines.

As a result, for 2014, the competition department is amending the existing policy mentioned above by withholding future sanctions for the LOCs with ANY and ALL outstanding paperwork. These LOCs will still be allowed to submit future sanction applications.  However, the tournament will not be published on the website nor sanction approval granted until all outstanding post-tournament reports are received from prior tournaments.

The new policy will not be fully implemented until January 1, 2014. In order to make this an easy transition, email notifications will go into place starting no later than May, 2013.

Please keep in mind that we will be withholding 2014 calendar year sanctions for outstanding paperwork from 2013 calendar year tournaments.

For further questions or information on the new policy, please address Britt Hoyland via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DANE MECHLER WINS JUNIOR MOOMBA SLALOM!!!!!!!!

Ohio skier, Dane Mechler, will compete in the Junior Water Ski World Championships this week in Mulwala, Australia.   Mechler qualified to compete in the junior men slalom event by being ranked in the top ten in the world.  He was ranked 2nd in the world as of the last published World Ranking List and is the top seed for this event.
The 14th Junior Water Ski World Championships will be held Wednesday through Sunday in Mulwala, Australia. A four-member team and four independent water ski athletes are representing the United States at the biennial event. In addition to the coveted world team title, athletes from more than 25 countries will compete for individual medals in slalom, tricks, jumping and overall

The AWSA has released the Safety statistics for the 2012 Ski year.  To view the report click on the attached link. AWSA Safety Stats for 2012

2013 Sanctioning and Driver Program Changes

Drivers, information regarding the 2013 Sanctioning and Driver Program Changes. This document has been posted on USA Water Ski’s home page, added under “Officials’ Resources” and “Event Sanctioning” links on USA Water Ski’s and sport discipline home pages and sent via e-mail to all 2012 and 2013 affiliated clubs. It will also be included in our next E-blast between Christmas and New Year’s.

In January, an email notice will be sent out to all currently rated drivers that need to complete the Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Review before the end of 2013 as part of their quantitative requirements toward renewing for 2014.

The AWSA Midwest Regional 2013 winter meeting was held on January 13, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.  To see what was discussed at the annual event, see the attached minutes. Midwest Region 2013 Winter meeting

The OWSA Fall Meeting was held on November 11th, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Donato's Pizza in Dublin, OH.  Among the topics discussed at the meeting were the 2013 tournament schedule, Junior Development, and the Officials clinics coming up in 2013.  For complete details, see the attached minutes. OWSA Fall 2012 minutes

Emily has worked extremely hard this year with getting her team Miami of Ohio in great skiing condition by working with them daily on their skiing ability and helping them all to become involved and learning about 3 event skiing. She helped to bring them to Nationals and make history for their team. She also has become involved in her conference and region with positions and stepped it up to make sure that the skier voice in heard throughout the region. She is willing to do anything to help her team, conference, region, and the sport as a whole to make tournaments and events happen! And she is also a great skier that helps to pass along her knowledge of skiing onto her team. MOH: To say the Miami University Club Water-ski Team is just a regular team is an understatement. It is a unique team composed of hard work, goals, spirit, commitment, growth, laughter, countless memories and an unbreakable bond. The overall environment of our team is a place where passion, dedication, unity, and character thrive. Our team truly represents Miami University and all that the National Colligate Water-ski Association stands for. Together, Miami and the NCWSA encourage us to pursue athletics, academics, and personal growth at our highest level.

The amount of growth our team has had both on and off the water has been incredible. A couple years ago, our team did not have enough people to compete in tournaments and never before, made it to Regional’s. This season, our team had one of the biggest teams at the tournaments, increased our fundraising by 60% which allowed us to buy a new Mastercraft to practice off of, found our own practice site, won the spirit award at Regional’s, competed at Nationals in Louisiana, had a full women’s jump team that consistently landed their jumps, and had multiple individuals beat their personal records. Our team has become a recognizable team around the university for our accomplishments, close bond, and school spirit.

Aside from going to all of our tournaments and practices, our team continues our long lasting bond through fundraisers, community service, dinners with our parents, Thanksgiving dinners, movie nights and supporting Miami University’s Hockey and Football team by attending their games. The bond we share is unbreakable and has allowed our team to turn into a family. A family that no one will ever come close to understanding and that I am honored to be a part of. I always know that I can go to these people for everything and anything and they will be there to cheer me up, help me with my schoolwork, give me advice, or simply share a laugh with. Whenever someone did not complete the pass that they hoped for, our entire team was there to pick them up and change their attitude. When things weren’t going so good at tournaments, such as sleeping in tents in the pouring rain or when our jump skis broke at Van Wert, our team always made the best out of it and looked at the bright side of things. My teammates have had me laughing so hard I could not breathe and have helped me create countless memories.

Together, we represent Miami and show our school pride whenever we can. The enthusiasm and passion each and every person has for this sport is amazing and has led us to have an outstanding season. Our spirit tunnels, high fives, music dances, costumes, posters, bubbles, and noisemakers lead us to win the spirit award and keep the positive vibes going around our campus and at tournaments.

Our team has also thrived in academics and was taught time management to balance our school, ski, and other organization commitments. Whether it’s taking our homework to the lake to study or coming late to the tournaments because of presentations or exams, we always get what we need to done. The water-ski team pushes each one of us to do our best and give 110% in order to be eligible to ski and keep our grades high. A couple of our seniors have even tutored underclassmen in classes to help them understand it better and be successful in the class.

Overall, this team has given me an incredible experience and season that I wish I could relive over and over again. It has taught me more than I would have ever imagined and has helped me grow as a person. Not only have I learned dedication, time management, leadership, and sportsmanship, but I have also learned to see the big picture in everything I pursue and to always look at life with a positive attitude. My teammates have made a huge impact on my life and college experience and I have no Idea what I would do without them. Whether it was setting a great example for me, encouraging me to keep going with I am frustrated, or being a great friend, they all have inspired me.

No matter where any of us end up in life, I know that we will always carry a part of the team with us and that it will always hold a special place in our hearts. Whenever I think of our team, I cannot help but to smile and be thankful that I am a part of something so wonderful. As Thanksgiving approaches, I know one thing I will say I am Thankful for, and that is my amazing Miami water-ski team and the positive impact it has had on my life.

When I joined the Miami University (Oxford, OH) Water ski team my freshman year, the team was indisarray on and off the water. The team finished the season ranked 46th in the nation, did not qualify for the Midwest Regional tournament, and had no team atmosphere orcamaraderie. Thanks to a dedicated group of team members who shared a vision for turning the team around, the 2012 season for Miami water ski was an historic one. After seeing record growth in the previous year in the terms of number of team members (Miami seems to be infamous of late for showing up to tournaments with the largest squad), there was also incredible growth in the quality of these members. Skills and coaching improved on the water, while team member dedication also increased. The team truly became a close family.

Earlier in 2012, during the Club Sports Awards banquet, some of this hard work and progress was recognized. Emily Van Treese was recognized as Club Sports Female Athlete of the Year, Thomas McAndrew as Club Sports Leader of the Year, and the team won theinauguralTradition of Excellence Award (which is essentially the award given to the best club both on and off the field of competition). To achieve this award, the team participated in multiple community service opportunities around campus and in the community. A favorite of most was volunteering at the 2011 World Disabled Water Ski Championships in West Chester, OH.

Shifting the focus to the water, the team placed second in their first two tournaments...higher than any tournament in recent history. Miami then went on to place second at the Great Lakes Conference Championships and heading into the Regional tournament in great shape. The previous year, the team went home empty handed and had made it their goal to qualify for Nationals and to win the Spirit Award at Regionals. At Regionals, Emily Van Treese set a Regional Tournament trick record, but it was a true all around team effort that allowed us to place as well as we did. Every single jumper set personal bests at the tournament. We may have even surprised ourselves a bit by placing 3rd overall!

Just as importantly...we won the Spirit Award. Every team member was up bright and early and cheering on those on the water. The Spirit Award was a testament to how the team culture and atmosphere had changed off the water and the 3rd place finish was proof of the hard work and dedication that had taken place over the last few seasons.

Nationals in Zachary, LA was an unbelievable experience. Over 20 members of the Miami team from little Oxford, OH made the trip down for the National tournament. For the seniors, this week was all about the satisfaction from their hard work. For the underclassmen, it provided something to strive for and to continue to be hungry for. In the 26 year history of Miami Water Ski, this was the first year that the team made it to Nationals, but now the new team goal is to be a perennial competitor at the National tournament. From 46th in the nation to the Top 10. From no team atmosphere to a family of team members that won the Spirit Award. To me, this is what the college water ski experience is all about. Check out the video here of our team listening to the results at Regionals and finding out that we were going to Nationals for the first time in team history: http://vimeo.com/50629871

At a tournament at Cory's Pickos site this past weekend Dane Mechler broke the previous Midwest Region Boys 3 record of 2 @ 39off by running 4 @ 39off to break a 3-way tie he had held with Cale Burdick and Nate Smith (yes, that Nate Smith).

Dane did this skiing on the new Goode Nano One for the first time and ran into 39off in all 4 rounds of the tournament.

Dane is now in sole posession of the Boys 3 Midwest Region record.

The OWSA Fall Meeting has been scheduled for November 11th, 2011 at 12:00 at the Donato's Pizza in Dublin, OH.  This meeting will include (among other things)

• 2013 Buckeye Buoy Tour Bids and voting
• 2013 Tournament Schedule will be set
• Committee Chairs to discuss their initiatives for 2012

If you would like to put in a bid for a Buckeye Buoy Tour Stop in 2013, please go to THIS WEBPAGE, read the details of hosting a tour stop, fill out the form, and email it to Greg Kuenning prior to the meeting on November 11th.

Meeting Address:

6 S. High St. (downtown Dublin, corner of High St and Route 161)
Dublin, OH
Phone: (614) 793-1100

Connor Nelson of Lake Lottawatta is the 2012 Buckeye Buoy Tour Slalom Champion!  Nelson climbed his way through the rankings throughout the season eventually dethrowning his own sister after stop #5 and holding on to the title by just 10 points over second place finisher Kristen Dammeyer of Shortline Shores.  Connor won the coveted Nate Smith autographed X7 donated by D3 Skis.  Mary Nelson, Curtis Kolb, and Eric Kolb rounded out the Top 5 in the overall tour standings.

First place thru Fifith place received Buckeye Buoy Tour Plates to add to their plaques.  First place finisher Connor Nelson received a Nate Smith autographed D3 X7, a BBT Champion trophy, and a $50 gift certificate from H2OProShop. Second place finisher Kristen Dammeyer took home an HO Nitro waterski donated by No Wake Marine of Cincinnati, OH.  Third Place finisher Mary Nelson received an Accurate slalom rope and handle donated by No Wake Marine.

The Buckeye Buoy Tour had over 125 different skiers participate in 6 stops during the 2012 season.  4 new fun formats were used in 2012 along with a couple favorites in the Top Cat and Pick Your Poison formats.  A big thank you goes out to all of our tour sponsors in 2012.  Thank you to all of the officials, tournament organizers, and BBT committee members who made this season another success.  Bids are now being accepted for the 2013 tour and will be awarded at the OWSA Fall Meeting in November.  If you would like to bid on a 2013 tour please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Check out this video featuring tour winner Connor Nelson!

Slalom may get most of the press but over twenty 3-event skiers competed for the Trick, Jump, and Overall titles in the 2012 Buckeye Buoy Tour.  Andrew French of Lake Lottawatta walked away with the title in both Trick and Jump and ultimately the Overall crown.  French becomes the first skier to win two of the three overall titles in one season.  BBT Creator, Greg Kuenning took 2nd place in trick, jump, and overall with Keri McClure, Nick Perrino, and Madison Schneider rounding out the Top 5 in overall respectively.  BBT setup man, Nick Perrino finished his season with a broken elbow but not before he sealed up a 3rd place finish in both trick and jump.  The Top 3 overall finishers took home $50 gift certificates from H2OProShop and Andrew French walked away with a beautiful ceramic trophy donated by Nick Perrino for his overall win, 2 Champion trophies for his wins in trick and jump, and a pair of gloves donated by D3 Skis for his win in jump.

Thank you to our great sponsors of the 2012 Buckeye Buoy Tour.  Throughout the season we gave out dozens of fun prizes from our many great sponsors.  Honu Water Bottles and Sunscreen, Broodle Brand Broodles, gold Fin Firkins, and Ball of Spray hats were given out at every tour stop.  Boat cleaning kits donated by Cincinnati MasterCraft were awarded at the Dottie T Spin It to Win It, and end of season awareds included a D3 X7 and gloves donated by D3 Skis, an HO Nitro and an Accurate rope and handle were donated by No Wake Marine, and $200 worth of gift certificates donated by H20ProShop and Seth Stisher's Waterski Training.  On top of that HO Syndicate donated a beautiful pop-up tent which was used all season for judges towers and starting dock shade and Karl Dammeyer Farms, Beacon Orthopedics, and Kerns Auto Group all donated $100 towards the Buckeye Buoy Tour.  All of these sponsors helped to take the 2012 BBT to a new level, make sure you show them your support and tell them thank you next time you're buying their products.

SPONSORS
Fin Firkin	HO Syndicate	Cincinnati MasterCraft

D3 Skis	KD Farms	Honu Sandals

Beacon Orthopedics	Broodle Brands	Ball of Spray.com

AJ Koett of the University of Cincinnati brought home the final slalom win of the 2012 Buckeye Buoy Tour at the Shortline Shores Pick Your Poison.  Koett skied consistently throughout the day and set a new PB of 3 @ 36 mph in the finals to seal his win.  Kristen Dammeyer of Shortline Shores took second place followed by Kayla McClure of Pleasant Shores in third.  Kacy Clifton, UC Alumni took first in trick and Greg Kuenning of Extreme Watersports took first in jump.  Our winners received awards and prizes from our sponsors including hats from Ball of Spray, Broodles from Broodle Brands and a Shortine Shores towel and Gold Fin Firkin for the winner.

Scorebook (50.44 kB)

Photo Album

Results from the Bootsarosa Tournament on 8/31/12.  David Miller put up the high score of the day with 2 buoys @ 41 off 34 mph.  Rich Lambert set a new M7 state record with 1 buoy @ 41 off 32 mph.

Scorebook (21.52 kB)

Sorry for the delay, lot's of new articles coming soon over the next week on the latest happenings around Ohio!

The National most improved award was presented to two members of the Bootsarosa ski club at the 70th annual Goode Water Ski National Championships held in West Palm Beach Florida.  Zachary Bruni was awarded the National Most Improved in B2 slalom and Ali Mollet was awarded the National Most Improved award in G3 slalom.  Congratulations Zachary and Ali!