Dave Benzel of Groveland, Florida has been involved in water skiing since 1971 when he began competing at the age of 21. He competed in his first Nationals in 1974 and he won six consecutive national overall title from 1983 to 1988 in Men 2 and 3. He broke the Man 3 national jumping record five times. He has server on the Board of Directors for the American Water Ski Educational Foundation.