Barefoot History
Barefooting originated in the U.S. where it is documented that Dick Pope Jr. was the
first to achieve this dazzling feat. It was first accomplished at Cypress Gardens,
Florida on March 6th 1947. However, according to some at the American Water Ski Hall
of Fame and eyewitnesses of the event, it was actually the 17-year-old A.G. Hancock,
who made the initial attempts, the same year in Winter Haven, Florida.
During the 1950's and 1960's barefooting was mostly utilized for demonstration
purposes at North American water skiing events. During this time, barefooting had
spread to Australia and this is where the most significant early developments occurred.
The barefoot jumping category was first invented in Australia in 1967 and later spread
to North America in the mid 1970's.
The Australians also organized the first barefoot tournaments. They were structured
similarly to the conventional water ski competitions, with slalom, trick and jump
events. These early barefoot tournaments had an added discipline called "start
methods," which has since been discontinued. Today, barefooting is recognized
worldwide by many countries, including Canada and by the International Water Ski
Federation. Presently World Championships are held every two years.
Barefoot History in Canada
1960 -- First barefoot demonstration by Marc Cloutier, Lac des Sables at Ste-Agathe, Québec.
Such shows and demonstrations continue until 1964.
1964 - Endurance tournament on Red River, Selkirk, Manitoba. Bill Bueckert wins with the result of 57 seconds.
This competition is carried out annually until 1970.
1966 - Two events take place in barefoot competition on the St- Laurent river, at Pointe-aux-Trembles in Québec: "slalom" and "endurance". Maurice Bouffard gains the first place.
Louis Simard wins in endurance (with the result of 5 minutes, 2 seconds) and in slalom (with 9 buoys).
1967 - During the Expo-67, the group Ste-Agathe, consisting of Marc et Rémi Cloutier, presents barefoot skiing daily .
1968 - " Marsoins de Rio ": at Expo-67 in Montréal, Québec, demonstrations of barefoot skiing become a regular attraction on Lac des Régates.
Barefoot skiing demonstration by Jacques Frenette -- lead by Louis Simard and Maurice Bouffard, become the most attended event at Expo-67. The demonstrations continue annually until 1971. 1968 - The endurance competition at Lac des Regates, Terre des Hommes, Montréal, Québec.
This competition continue every year until 1971.
1971 - Barefoot competition, four events, on the Lac des Nations in Sherbrooke, Québec.
Louis Simard becomes an absolut champion.
1972 - Endurance competition on the Red River, Selkirk, Manitoba.
This competition takes place every year until 1978.
1973 - International championship with four events, Boucherville islands, Boucherville, St-Laurent river, Québec. Canada competes with the United States and Australia.
Denis Chabot becomes the first Canadian to represent the country in international competitions.
Australian championship: Gary Barton, Peter Trimm, John Hacker et Mary McMillan.
1978 - Mike Strubble organizes the Canadian Barefoot Skiing Committee. He becomes the first President of the barefoot skiing at CWSA.
The first endurance competition on Lac Simon in Cheneville in Québec. The event on Lac Simon is organized until the present day. It holds the largest participant number record: in 1989, 72 athletes competed in the Canadian barefoot championship on Lac Simon.
Canadian Barefoot Committee is formed
1979 - The First National Champîonship, Mille-Iles, Lac des Deux-Montagnes in Québec. It consisted of three separate competitions. Gaston Gallant becomes the first national champion.
Gaston Gallant again attains the status of absolute champion.
First Canadian rule book is printed
1980 - The Second National Competition at Repentigny, St-Laurent river in Québec. Josée Bourbonnais is the first woman to win the competition. Gaston Gallant, once again, gains the gold.
The first Western-Canadian competition in Alberta, on the Whitewood Lake.
Gaston Gallant, Josée Bourbonnais, Don Cameron Grant (captain), Rolland D'Alcantara and Bruce Kjenner comprise the first Canadian national team at the Second International Championship in the Marine World, Africa and in Vallejo, California, the United States. Canada places 8th among 12 participants.
1981 - The Third National Championship in Repentigny, St-Laurent river in Québec.
For the fourth time Gaston Gallant becomes the national champion, while Josée Bourbonnais gains the title of the best female in waterskiing for the second time.
Publication of the second manual of regulations.
1982 - The Fourth National championship on the Bently Lake in St.Paul, Alberta. Gary Jones gains the first prise.
The first East-Canadian competition in Rawdon, Québec, on Lac Pontbriand,.
The second Canadian team participates in the 3rd World Championship in Cadena Lagune, Acapulco, Mexico. Don Cameron Grant (captain), Chris Scott, Russell Kosowan, Ross Buttar, and Claude Garrant represent Canada. Canada places 6th among 13 countries.
1983 - 5th National on Lac Lemay in Hull, Québec. National Champion is Chris Scott.
Westerns on Lake Cowichan, British Columbia.
Australia's Gary Barton tours St. Paul, Alberta.
1984 - CBA incorporated by David Taran, Bob Katz and Marie Pinsonneault. David Taran is the first CBA President and
Bob Katz - the first secretary.
6th Nationals at the Chestermere Lake in Clagary, Alberta. National Champions are Neil Wilson et Jill Weese.
Westerns on Bently Lake in St.Paul, Alberta.
Invitational championship on Lac Rawdon, Rawdon, Québec.
Third Canadian natioanl team competes at the 4th World Championship on the Malangawa River in Canberra, Australia. Team members are Dan Steele (Captain) and Kevin Thomsett. Canada places 10th out of 13 countries.
1985 - 7th Nationals on Lac Rawdon, Rawdon, Québec. National champions are Michel Vinette and Randy Taran.
Westerns on, Bently Lake, St.Paul, Alberta.
Eastern competitions, Lac des Sables, Ste-Agathe, Québec.
Barefoot Challenge on Chandos Lake, Kawarthas, Ontario.
Selkirk Trophy is reborn on Red River in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Randy Lines replaces Marie Pinsonneault on the CBA Board of Directors as the Western Regional Director.
David Taran becomes first Canadian member of the World- and Group I Barefoot Councils, sitting as a reserve member.
1986 Eight Nationals at Shalom Park, Edmonton, Alberta. National champions are Neil Wilson and Karyn Cromwell.
Westerns on Assiboine River in Brandon, Manitoba.
Easterns on Rivière des Petites Nations, Platagenet, Ontario.
Competition of Québec on Lac Rawdon, Rawdon, Québec.
Manitobas on Red River, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Fourth Canadian national team takes part in the 5th World Championships at Danube River in Kelheim, Western Germany. Team members are: Norm Bourassa, Karyn Cromwell, Richard Gray, Doug Gray, Bob Katz (captain), Gérald Issenman, Chris Jackson, Dan Steele et Neil Wilson. Canada places 10th among 14 countries.
Third Canadian rule book published.
1987 - 9th Nationals on Welland Canal, Welland, Ontario. National champions are Dan Steele and Karyn Cromwell.
Westerns on Three Mile Lake, St.Paul, Alberta
Easterns on, Madawasaska River, Burnstown, Ontario.
Ontarios at Camp Can Ski in Cardiff, Ontario.
Manitobas on Red River in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
CBA Board of Directors expands to full size and present conposition under the new By-laws; first elections are held. .
CWSA agrees to terms of Affiliation.
Easterns on Madawasaska River, Burnstown, Ontario.
Ontarios on Camp Can Ski in Cardiff, Ontario.
1988 - 10th National on Crescent Lake, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. National Champions are Doug Gray and Karyn Cromwell.
Westerns on Three Mile Lake, St.Paul, Alberta.
Manitobas on Crescent Lake, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.
Fifth Canadian National Team competes at the 6th World Championship on Yarra River, Melbourne, Australia. Team members are Karyn Cromwell (captain), Rob Doherty, Chris Gray, Doug Gray, Richard Gray, Ken Harper, Bob Katz, Joanne Miller, Norm Riest and David Taran. Canada places 6th out of 14 countries.
Bruce Lonneberg (second CBA President) becomes first Canadian official, with the Senior Judge rating;
Karyn Cromwell (second CBA Secretary) becomes first Canadian member of the World- and Group I Barefoot Councils, with full voting rights,
CWSA/CBA Affiliation ratified.
Fourth Canadian rule book published.
1989 - 11th Nationals on Borderline Lake, Blaine, Washington. National Champions are Doug Gray and Karyn Cromwell.
Easterns on Lac Lachapelle, Ste-Agathe, Québec.
1990 - 12th Canadian Championship in Edmonton.
Easterns at Olympic Basin in Montréal.
Eighth Canadian championship in endurance, Lac Simon.
Sixth Canadian national team takes part in the 7th World Championship in Justinville, Florida, the United States. Karyn Cromwell, Beth LeBoeuf, Joanne Miller, Ken Harper, Jim Drown, Richard Gray, Rob Doherty and Don Baker represent Canada Lane Bowers is the team's Coach. Canada places 6th out of 11 states.
The fifth book of regulations is published by David Taran and La Fédération Québécoise.
1991 - 13th Canadian Championship at the Olympic Basin in Montréal.
Printing of the first book of regulations for barefoot water-skiing by La Fédération Québécoise de Ski Nautique.
Birth of the new circuit of 5 competitions in Québec.
1992 13th Canadian Championship at the Olympic Basin in Montréal.
Printing of the first book of regulations for barefoot water-skiing by La Fédération Québécoise de Ski Nautique.
Birth of the new circuit of 5 competitions in Québec.
1993 14th canadien au Bassin Olympique à Montréal.
Les champions Ryan Andrew et Laurie Bernstein.
1994 - Barefoot became a regular member of WSC
1994 15th Canadien Brandon, Manitoba
1995 16th Canadien Bala, Ontario
1996 17th Bassin Olympique, Montréal
1997 18th Canadien Shalom Park, Alberta
1998 19th Canadien Cambridge, Ontario
1999 20th Canadien Kamloops, Colombie Britannique
2000 - Extrême 2000 au Bassin Olympique.
Pieds-nus et Planche le 5ième et dernier.
Les champions :
Karyn Cromwell Scarpa et Gordie Croteau
2001 22nd Canadien, Kamloups C.B.
2002 23rd Canadien Cambridge, Ontario
2003 24th Canadien Shalom Park, Alberta
2004 - Le 4ième Championnat canadien de ski nautique pieds-nus au Bassin Olympique
Le 25ième Championnat canadien.
Le 8ième au Québec
2005 26th Canadien Hathaway Lake, Colombie Britannique
2006 27th Canadien Newmarket, Ontario
2007 28th Canadien Newmarket, Ontario
|
