Barefooters aged 6 to 84 took to Lake Silver in Winter Haven, Florida, this past weekend to help raise nearly $4000 for the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation's Banana George Blair Ambassador College Scholarship. And they did it all for George!
Some celebrities were in attendance, including the holder of the World Barefoot Endurance Record of 2 hours, 42 minutes, 39 seconds, Billy Nichols, and George's great-granddaughter Hayleigh Blair, who helped with dock starting and timing in the boat all day! Newly crowned 2024 Open Men's Overall World Barefoot Water Ski Champion and Winter Haven resident Ben Groen also appeared on the water at the Bananza.
But the next generation of barefooters also came out to play and win... with the kids taking many of the top spots in the Figure 8 and Endurance Barefoot Water Ski Tournament. Owen Schattschneider, 16, fresh off the Junior Barefoot World Championships, was once again a force in the Open/Pro and Junior Division. But Bryson Mace,17, Gabriel Maddox, 15 and Logan Harrington, 11, were right on his heels the whole day. For all the results go HERE.
George Blair started the Banana George Blairfoot Bananza back in the 1990's just for the fun of it! It was first held in the show circle at Cypress Gardens before moving to Lake Silver in the early 2000's. The tourney was held every year until George passed away. It was restarted in October 2020 as a fundraiser for George's namesake college scholarship, and the tournament has raised more than $20,000 since its rebirth. For more on the scholarship, go HERE.
FIGURE 8 RESULTS
PRO/OPEN DIVISION
1) Owen Schattschneider Janesville, Wisconsin
2) Lance Smith Indianapolis, Indiana
3) Bryson Mace Winter Haven, Florida
JUNIOR DIVISION
1) Owen Schattschneider Janesville, Wisconsin
2) Bryson Mace Winter Haven, Florida
3) Gabriel Maddox Winter Haven, Florida
SENIOR DIVISION
1) Terry Ryan Cumming, Georgia
2) Danny "Sparky" Wicks Washington, New Jersey
3) Ron Coonse Monticello, Indiana
ENDURANCE RESULTS
PRO/OPEN DIVISION
1) Wayne King 6:54 Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, Canada
2) Lance Smith 5:45 Indianapolis, Indiana
3) Owen Schattschneider 4:55 Janesville, Wisconsin
JUNIOR DIVISION
1) Logan Harrington 7:20 Davidson, North Carolina
2) Bryson Mace 1:48 Winter Haven, Florida
3) Reid Lawson 1:43 Warsaw, Indiana
SENIOR DIVISION
1) Terry Ryan 3:05 Cumming, Georgia
2) Jess Caserta 1:30 Winter Haven, Florida
3) Don Malcolm :15 Cumming, Georgia
Lydia Harrington also took to the water in the Boom Division and went home with one of George Blair's Iconic Pith Helmets as a prize. You know George would have loved that!
Massive thanks to our sponsors:
World Barefoot Center
John Cornish & the 2024 Barefoot Waterski World Championships
Just Add Water Media
Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team
ABC Southern Region
Visit Central Florida
Lance’s Mom
Donna Blair
Robin Blair
GeeGee Blair
Gordy Anderson
Thanks also to our amazing Volunteers:
Chief Judge: Justin Landers
Bracket Assistants: Mark Schatty, Ron Coonse, Court Harrington
Boat Judges: Don Malcolm, Terry Ryan, Tim Smith, Don Simon
Dock Starters: Rhonda Bate, Hayleigh Blair
Drivers: Bruce Walter, Tim Collette
Chief Safety/Iceman: Chuck Bender
Cornish Boat Keeper/Gas Wrangler: Trey Edwards
So Region Boat Keeper/Gas Wrangler: Brett Swanbom
Chief Announcers: Logan Walter & Swampy Bouchard
DJ: Davie Henderson
Registration & Merch sales: Dawn Schatty
We can't wait for next year... all updates will be on Bananageorge.org !
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