Gary Heinbuch started water ski racing in 1958 in Stockton, California, in the Pee Wee Boys Beginner Division. Over the course of the next 30 years, he received a trophy in every single class available for him to ski. He eventually moved from skiing to driving and observing. Gary received 23 consecutive U.S. National Championship awards for either skiing, driving or observing. He was a National Champion driver three times. In the water ski Marathon Series, he was awarded in the top three, four times plus was High Point Champion for four consecutive years. In 2007, Gary made U.S. Open history and set a new record to amass the largest cumulative number of observing points.

In World Championship competition, Gary is a seven-time U.S. Water Ski Racing World Team member and Team Captain, achieving two team silver medals, four team gold medals, and individually, one silver medal, one gold medal, four first place finishes and a World Championship. He has participated in a record 50 consecutive years of the Catalina Ski Race, winning overall two times in 2001 and 2003. He has been a National Water Ski Racing Association Board Member for over 25 years and continues to be a great ambassador of the sport.