Oct 31

Banana George Blairfoot Bananza Barefoot Tournament raises nearly $4000 for college scholarship

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!

2024 Men's World Barefoot Champion Ben Groen (Photo By Greg Adams)

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.

Logan Harrington and Billy Nichols go head-to-head in the Figure 8 (Photo by Greg Adams)

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.

Bryson Mace and Gabriel Maddox (Photo by Greg Adams)

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

Lance Smith and Owen Schatty (Photo by Greg Adams)

PRO/OPEN DIVISION

1) Owen Schattschneider Janesville, Wisconsin

2) Lance Smith Indianapolis, Indiana

3) Bryson Mace Winter Haven, Florida

Junior Figure 8 Champions: Bryson, Owen & Gabriel

JUNIOR DIVISION

1) Owen Schattschneider Janesville, Wisconsin

2) Bryson Mace Winter Haven, Florida

3) Gabriel Maddox Winter Haven, Florida

Senior Figure 8 Champions: Sparky, Terry and Ron

SENIOR DIVISION

1) Terry Ryan Cumming, Georgia

2) Danny "Sparky" Wicks Washington, New Jersey

3) Ron Coonse Monticello, Indiana

ENDURANCE RESULTS

Pro/Open Endurance Champion Wayne King (Photo by Greg Adams)

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

Jess Caserta and Terry Ryan (Photo by Greg Adams)

SENIOR DIVISION

1) Terry Ryan 3:05 Cumming, Georgia

2) Jess Caserta 1:30 Winter Haven, Florida

3) Don Malcolm :15 Cumming, Georgia

Sparky Wicks and Don Simon Compete in Senior Division (photo by Greg Adams

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!