What is the Barefoot Challenge?
The Mad-City Ski team, in conjunction with organizers Bob Mahnke and Paul Stokes,have been hosting the Mad-City Dual, a Figure-8 Barefoot Endurance competition for several years. The Mad-City Ski Team started the Clean Lakes Festival in 2007 and due to the hectic water ski calendar in our infamously short summer ski season, the events ended up being the same weekend. With several members of the ski team participating in the event, as well as providing the boats, the PA system, and the manpower to pull off the competition, the synergy was there to make the event part of the Clean Lakes Festival and now the event is called the Clean Lakes Barefoot Challenge.
The event has become increasingly popular amongst local barefooters and national competitors alike and by including it the event as part of the Clean Lakes Festival, we plan to continue the growth of the event, both with the competitors and the spectators. The concept of Figure-8 tournaments might be one of the fastest growing events in barefoot waterskiing. If you can step off of a ski and barefoot, you can compete, which is why we get a lot of amateur show skiers, local weekend warriors and national level barefooters competing. The competitions are typically a lot more entertaining than most water ski tournaments, as the fast pace provides the skiers and spectators with constant action on the water.
Two time World Champion Keith St Onge (left) enjoys participating in Figure-8 Tournaments.
He outlasted the 2009 Wisconsin Water Ski Hall of Fame Peter Fleck (right) to win Footstock in 2008.
The Figure-8 competition pits two skiers stepping off of their ski in the designated step off area who’ll then follow the boat in a Figure-8 pattern. The barefooters have to maintain their side of the wake, which is pre-determined by a coin flip. As the boat passes through the center of the Figure-8, both skiers have to be outside the boat wake and maintain a solid barefoot stance through the boatʼs rollers. This is typically where most matches end, with one or both skiers “face-planting”. Which ever skier holds on the longest advances to the next round.
This is a “Face Plant”
The Loser moves over to the consolation bracket and has the opportunity to work his way back to the podium in the double elimination event. The length of the runs are determined by the the matchup of the skiers and the water conditions. Monona Bay is typically very well protected from the wind and therefore an ideal place to water ski in general, and to host this very popular event.
We are excited to be part of the Clean Lakes Festival, and look forward to helping the fund raising efforts, and the goal of preserving the Madison Lakes as a place for all members of the community to enjoy. The Mad-City Ski Team is part of the appeal that makes Madison consistently rated as one of the best places to live. One of the goals of the tournament and the Clean Lakes Festival is to show that we are concerned with the condition of the Madison Lakes and Parks, and that the water skiing community is willing to do the hard work and fundraising efforts to keep our sport relevant as an opportunity for the healthy lifestyle that skiers enjoy.
The Clean Lakes Barefoot Challenge is an event you will not want to miss. Come and enjoy competing against your fellow athletes and the live music and beer tent afterwards at the Clean Lakes Festival, all under the Capital Dome in downtown Madison. Even if you are a novice footer, you will have a chance to stand toe to toe with some of the best barefoot water skiers in the Midwest. There shouldnʼt be any other show ski events this weekend, so here is the chance for all you barefoot line guys, to show that you can do more than ski in a straight line.
At the very least, you may get to hear your name mentioned by the infamous Figure-8 announcer, Dave Mueller, as he proclaims “Thanks for bringing your entry fee, See you next year”
