Planetwaterski. George Blairfoot Bananza

Attention: Barefoot Waterskiing, Sports, and Winter Haven Events Writers

From:   "Blairfoot Bananza"

        Chairperson Sue Smith
        Winter Haven, FL
        863-325-8257
        Blairfoot13 at cs.com

For Release: Immediately

13th Annual "Banana" George Blairfoot Bananza for Barefoot Skiers set for October 7 & 8, in Winter Haven, FL.

Large turnouts of national and international barefooters compete in Endurance and Head to Head Figure eight events on Winter Haven Lake Silver.

    Winter Haven FL.- The 13th annual Blairfoot Bananza for barefoot water skiers around the country will be held October 7 & 8 on Lake Silver in downtown Winter Haven, FL.

    This will mark the sixth year that the increasingly popular tournament will be held on Lake Silver in downtown Winter Haven. Last year very successful event attracted competitors from over 14 different states and 4 countries, making it an international event.

    The event is hosted by the City of Winter Haven Leisure Services Department of Polk County and Central Florida Sports Marketing. It is sanctioned by USA Water Ski.

    Male and female barefooters of all ages will compete in two events. The endurance event will test strength and stamina, as the athletes compete against the clock. The figure-eight competition pits two barefooters against each other as they are being pulled at approximately 38 mph behind a single boat going around a figure eight course. The first one who falls is eliminated.

    The Endurance champion and the Figure Eight champion will challenge each other for the prestigious title of World Endurance Champion. The World Endurance Champion will receive a special Blairfoot Bananza medallion.

    For the third year in a row, a special Jr. Boom division allows for up and coming barefooters. Children 10 and under will compete with the assistance of a boom mounted on the side of the boat. This provides stability and allows the younger skiers a taste of competition.

        New for 2000, a pig tail event will be added to allow the Jr. Boom competitors a stepping stone to the competition behind the boat. Using the assistance of the boom a small rope is attached; this creates a step of independence from the boat and is the next step in the progression of learning to barefoot behind a boat.

    84 competitors competed in the 1999 Blairfoot Bananza, an all time record. This years’ 2000 Blairfoot Bananza is hoping to attract even more barefooters.

    In 1999 the Blairfoot Bananza premiered the first ever endurance team competition. Forming teams with all the endurance competitors created a new twist on the event. It was such a success that the 2000 Blairfoot Bananza will continue the team competition.

    The Blairfoot Bananza is named after the ambassador of barefooting, Banana George Blair. Banana George, a member of USA Water Ski and the American Barefoot Club is known worldwide. He took up the sport of water skiing to help over come a back injury in 1955 when he was 40 years old and went on to become the only man to barefoot on all seven continents. Banana George, who turned 85 in January is still an active competitor in barefooting and competes every year in the Blairfoot Bananza.

    If you haven’t encountered Banana George in person, you’ve likely seen him in the world of print and television advertising- swathed in yellow and barefoot water skiing for Chevrolet - Malibu, Amor-All, Chiquita Banana, Sea-Doo personal watercraft, the Florida Lottery. And you’ve undoubtedly seen "Banana" George during one of his many TV appearances on the Regis and Kathie Lee Show, NBC Today Show, Late Night with David Letterman, the Discovery show, CNN, ESPN or CBS This Morning and the American Heath Network.

    The Blairfoot Bananza is open to the public. The competition will begin on Saturday October 7 at 9 am with the Endurance competition and then the Jr. Boom competition and Pig tail event. On Sunday the Head to Head Figure Eight competition will take place with a start time of 9 am.

    Come out and enjoy the day, and watch some of the best endurance water skiers in the country battle it out.

    For more information about the Blairfoot Bananza or entry information for the 2000 tournament contact Sue Smith at Blairfoot13 at cs.com or 863-325-8257.