Author Archives: tgpowell

Post Regionals Juniors Update

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Our juniors had a great showing at the 2021 Eastern Regional Championships in Avon, CT.  There were 59 junior competitors.  The Avon Old Farms Skiers put on a fantastic junior’s party onsite at the Pond, with treats and activities including pizza, snow cones, popcorn, water mats, trampoline, movie night, and lots of fun for everyone.  The raffle raised close to $800 for the Eastern Region Junior Development Program. 

Most Improved Awards

Congratulations to all juniors who won Most Improved Awards this year.

DivEventSkierNameDivEventSkierName
B1SlalomYonce, ParkerG1SlalomByrne, Addy
B1TrickDavis, BenjaminG2JumpByrne, Tia
B1OverallDavis, BenjaminG2SlalomDann, Isabela
B2JumpRobbins, TyG2TrickAbelson, Alexia
B2SlalomStenger, SamuelG2OverallDann, Isabela
B2TrickTarum, ZaneG3JumpCarpenter, Zoe
B2OverallRobbins, TyG3SlalomQuimper, Caroline
B3JumpAbelson, JakeG3TrickCole, Ava
B3SlalomFrucci, RobertG3OverallCole, Ava
B3TrickAbelson, JakeG4JumpStenger, Solie
B3OverallAbelson, JakeG4SlalomStenger, Solie
B4JumpMoisan, VictorG4TrickStenger, Solie
B4SlalomQuimper, AJG4OverallStenger, Solie
B4TrickMoisan, VictorG5JumpPottbecker, Sage
B4OverallCraig, RobbieG5SlalomPottbecker, Sage
B5JumpPowell, RobertG5TrickPottbecker, Sage
B5SlalomTakken, MarkG5OverallPottbecker, Sage
B5TrickPowell, Robert
B5OverallRobbins, Evan

All Stars

The Eastern Region All Star Team for 2021 was announced at Regionals. The All-Stars were selected based on their ranking score coming into regionals, and their performance at regionals.  The All Star Team will be representing the East against teams from the other four Regions at Nationals.  The 2021 East Region All Stars are:  Ty Robbins, Alexia Abelson, Jake Abelson, Aaron Bartlett, Cameron Davis, Sage Pottbecker – Alternate: Ava Cole, 2nd Alternate: Evan Robbins

Headed to Nationals?   See you at the Juniors Party at Nationals – Thursday, August 12th

Joliet Town and Country Lanes
2231 W Jefferson St.
Joliet, IL 60435

Tickets $20/person (skiers and non-skiers)
Thursday, August 12, 2021 5-8pm
5pm-6:15pm B1-3,G1-3 Bowl
6:15pm-6:45pm Awards and Pizza
6:45pm-8pm B4-5, G4-5 Bowl

Please RSVP via the link below, and purchase tickets through PayPal to nationaljdwaterski@gmail.com by Monday, August 9. A ticket is required for entry for both junior skiers and family.

**Bowling is for skiers only (due to # of available lanes), but family is welcome to attend the awards and dinner!

Link to RSVP for Juniors Party at Nationals – RSVP by 8/9

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrax9topRWTManSYYRnqhS4r1pVJFkFYpEPiwmDgOR49nP5A/viewform

Junior Development Update – Regionals/Nationals 2020

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EAST REGION ALL STARS
Members of the 2020 All Star Team for the East are:
Jake Abelson
Samantha Hill
Brody Keller
Sage Pottbecker
Evan Robbins
Ty Robbins

Alternate: TBD

Congratulations to these juniors for being selected to the highest honor for Eastern Region Juniors.  This All Star Team will represent the East against teams from the other 4 regions at the 2020 Junior All Star Championships, taking place during the 2020 Goode National Championships.  Best of luck to them, and to all of our juniors heading down to Louisiana for Nationals!

2020 MOST IMPROVED AWARDS
Congratulations to the Juniors earning the East’s Most Improved Awards for 2020.

B1 – Slalom, Brandau Turner; Trick, Brodie Dann: Overall, Leland Carpenter
B2 – Slalom and Trick, Aaron Bartlett; Jump and Overall, Ty Robbins
B3 – Slalom, Marley Griffen; Trick, Jump and Overall, Jake Abelson
B4 – Slalom and Overall, Robbie Craig; Trick, Victor Moisan; Jump, James Kokernak
B5 – Slalom, Dylan Trask; Trick, Evan Robbins; Jump and Overall Collin Frucci

G1 – Slalom, Addy Byrne; Trick, Alexia Abelson; Overall Isabela Dann
G2 – Slalom and Trick, Audrey Abelson
G3 – Slalom Jump and Overall, Ava Cole; Trick, Alessi Keira
G4 – Slalom Jump and Overall, Samantha Hill; Trick Allison Nichols
G5 – Slalom and Jump, Kelly Hill; Trick and Overall, Sage Pottbecker

JUNIORS PARTY at 2020 GOODE WATER SKI NATIONALS
The Juniors Party at Nationals will be held at The Pool at Bennett’s on Thursday, August 6 at 6pm. There will be chicken dinner, pool access, DJ and a photo booth.

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2020
Time: 6pm
Location: The Pool at Bennett’s
18605 Barnett Rd
Zachary, LA 70791

The deadline for ticket sales is Tuesday, August 4

Link to buy tickets is below. Tickets are $15.

https://www.awsasouthcentral.com/nationals-jd-party-and-awards


EASTERN REGION JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT TEAM 2021
The Eastern Region Junior Development Team is made up of the juniors who skied in Regionals and/or Nationals of the previous year. In 2020, due to the current health crisis our nation is facing, as well as related travel restrictions, many of our juniors were unable to attend Regionals. All juniors that attended Eastern Regionals will be included in the 2021 Eastern Region Junior Development Team. In addition, juniors that were qualified to ski Regionals may request to be included on the team by notifying the Junior Development Committee. In addition, the Junior Development Committee is requesting juniors to send in a photo to be included in the Juniors section of the 2021 Eastern Regional Guide.

Photos for the Juniors section of the 2021 Eastern Regional Guide should be emailed or texted to TG Powell, Junior Development Committee at

tg.powell@gmail.com
or
703-395-7499

Junior Development Update

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Junior Development is off to a great start this summer.

Eastern Region Juniors had a great time training together at Coble Ski School – June 2019

EASTERN REGION WEEK AT COBLE SKI SCHOOL
Eastern Region week at Coble Ski School was from June 23-27. Fourteen juniors from the Eastern Region made the trip to Lillington, NC. April Coble said that it was the biggest group of tournament skiers they have ever had.

VIRGINIA JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT CLINIC
The Virginia Junior Development Clinic was held at five lakes in the Sparta, VA area (Timberlake, Lake Holly, Lohr’s Lake, Lake Maracossic, and Jennings Pond), from June 17-19, and was attended by 32 Juniors. Pro Skier Corey Vaughn put together a team of top-notch coaches including Michael Kusiak, Kevin Jack, Michael Bullock and Brent Walker. There were kids running the slalom course for the first time, going over the jump for the first time, competing in a tournament for the first time, as well as seasoned tournament skiers working on improving their skills. Thank you to our small army of volunteers that make it all happen!

Juniors from the East have been ripping it up on the tournament scene.
Congratulations to Jake Ableson, who was selected as the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Male Athlete of the Month for May. Jake placed second in junior men’s tricks at the 27th Nautique Junior Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament in May 24, and was the youngest competitor in the tournament at age 11. He scored a personal best – and pending Boys 2 national tricks record – 8,850 points in the finals. More info at http://www.usawaterski.org/default.asp?Display=3155

Best of luck to Eastern Region Juniors and young adults heading to the Junior US Open this weekend: Jake Ableson, Lexi Ableson, Blake Keller, Brody Keller and Dylan Smith. More info at http://www.usawaterski.org/juniorusopen/index_juniorusopen.html/

More clinics are upcoming for our juniors:
SLALOM CLINICS
Corey Vaughn will be once again be hosting a series of slalom only Junior Development Clinics at the Peace, Love and Water Ski headquarters in Bumpass, VA. Cost is $120 for two sets and $180 for three sets for the clinics where Corey is the coach. Dylan Smith will be coaching the 7/10 and 7/31 clinics, at a cost of $100 for 2 sets and $150

for three sets. For more information contact Corey at h2oskijunkie@gmail.com. The dates for upcoming slalom clinics are July 10th, 18th, 22nd, 31st, and August 8th and 22nd.
The link for the July 10 clinic is https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054cabaa29a5fa7-july8
That signup has links to the rest of the clinics in the series.

TRICKS CLINIC
July 11, 2019 TRICKS CLINIC
We will be holding a tricks clinic, on July 11th starting at 9am at Timberlake in Sparta, Virginia. The focus is on beginning to intermediate trick skiers. Cost will be $60. Sign up link is https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054cabaa29a5fa7-junior4.

JUMP CLINIC
July 16, 2019 – Jump Clinic at Avon, CT

3 EVENT CLINIC
July 29, 2019 – 3 Event Junior Development Clinic in NH.    9am – 6pm
Abernaki Water Ski Club at Lake Winnipesaukee
Contact Becky Bartlett for more info. rebeccasbartlett@yahoo.com

Want to put on a Junior Development Clinic at your site?  The Eastern Region Junior Development has funds available to help with clinic expenses.  Contact TG Powell at tg.powell@gmail.com for details.

SafeSport Youth Training Available
The U.S. Center for SafeSport Youth Athlete Training courses are now live! These resources include courses for children of pre-school age; grades K-2; grades 3-5; middle school and high school. These free online trainings are designed as an introduction for minor athletes and their parents or other caregivers to understand the importance of positive, welcoming environments in sports, where misconduct like bullying or abuse is less likely to happen, and to know where to report abuse, should it occur.
http://www.usawaterski.org/default.asp?Display=3171

Junior Development Party at Regionals
We have a great day of fun planned for our juniors on Thursday, July 25th at Lake Compounce, Connecticut’s best amusement park and water park. Check out their website at www.lakecompounce.com

All juniors competing at Regionals and their siblings are invited for the fun. Enjoy the park throughout the day, as your competition event schedule allows. The park opens at 11am. Dinner and awards will be at one of the picnic pavilions in the park anytime between 5:00pm and 7:00pm.
A big thank you to our 2019 Junior Development Sponsors for making this fabulous party possible – Jody Fisher Ski School, Goode Skis and Kaleidoscope Imprints.
All junior competitors, siblings and parents are invited, but you need to sign up ahead of time. We are setting aside a ticket for each junior competitor, but the number of spots available for siblings and parents is limited. Stop by the Junior Development tent at Regionals during registration on Wednesday, or during the day on Thursday to pick up your tickets. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054cabaa29a5fa7-junior3

June 23-27, 2019 is Eastern Region Week at Coble Ski School

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We have scheduled Eastern Region Junior Development Week at Coble Ski School in Lillington, NC. Join other Eastern Region Juniors at Coble Water Ski Camp June 23 – 27, 2019. Make your reservations and pay directly with Coble Ski School at cobleskischool.com. Just please let us know you are coming. Spaces are limited, and prices go up after the end of December. If you are interested, contact Becky Bartlett at rebeccasbartlett@yahoo.com by December 8th if possible.

Junior Development – Regionals Wrap-up and Nationals Update

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Attention Eastern Region Juniors at Nationals – the juniors party at Nationals is on site at Mystic Lakes on Thursday, August 9th 6:30pm-9:30pm. Join us for some Wichita BBQ, inflatables, swimming and games. The Eastern Region is paying for the tickets for junior competitors from the East, but you need to sign up at the link below. You can also use this link to buy additional tickets at $10 for kids, $15 for adults. See you there.
https://www.awsasouthcentral.com/nationals-jd-party-and-awards

All Stars — The Eastern Region juniors is well represented by our All Star Team – ready to take on the All Stars from the rest of the country. Each year at the GOODE Water Ski National Championships, Junior All-Star teams representing their respective regions compete in a three-event overall tournament. Teams are made up of six skiers and one alternate. The All Star Team from the East was selected at Regionals and consists of: Brody Keller, Evan Robbins, Robert Powell, Sage Potbecker, Samantha Hill, Emma Davis, and Jake Abelson (alt)
http://www.usawaterski.org/Nationals/Nationals/News/2018juniorallstarsannounced.html

Junior Development Regionals Wrap-Up – Junior Development had a successful Regionals! Lots of juniors accepted the Super Beast Challenge and found ways to help out and volunteer at the tournament. We had 90 junior and parents attend the Juniors Party at The Castle Fun Center.

Awards were presented to the most improved skiers in each of the Juniors Divisions: Most Improved Slalom Awards went to: B1 – Aaron Bartlett, B2 – Jack Decker, B3 – Tristan Richardsoon, G1 – Tia Byrne, G2 – Ava Cole, G3 – Kelly Hill. Most Improved Tricks Awards went to: B1 – Freddy Davis, B2 – Jake Ableson, B3 – Rocco Cirilli, G1 – Alexia Ableson, G2 – Samantha Hill, G3 – Kelly Hill. Most Improved Jump Awards went to: B2 Aaron Bartlett, B3 – Evan Robbins, G2 Emma Davis, G3 Sage Pottbecker. Most Improved Overall went to: B1 – Ricky Davis, B2 – Robert Powell, B3 Blake Keller, G1 – Audrey Ableson, G2 Samantha Hill, G3 Whitney Shellhamer.

Fundraising efforts brought in just over $1,700 to support our Junior Development activities. Thank you buying silent auction items and raffle tickets. The winner of the free entry to the 2019 Regionals was Susan Maximuk!

A big thank you to our Junior Development sponsors for 2018: Goode Skis, Kaleidoscope Imprints, Twin Lakes Water Ski Park, Coble Water Ski and Wakeboard Camp, Coble Boat & Ski by MasterCraft, and Peace, Love and Water Skiing.

Junior Development at Regionals!

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We have a great evening of fun planned for our juniors this Thursday evening from 6pm – 9pm at The Castle Fun Center – take a look at the website at http://thecastlefuncenter.com/.

All juniors are invited for fun, activities, pizza and ice cream. Parents are welcome to join in for the pizza and ice cream. Please RSVP for the party at this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054cabaa29a5fa7-juniors1

Parents who want to purchase activity passes for themselves can do so for a discounted price of $17.99 (payment can be made onsite at Regionals at the Junior Development Tent).

Stop by the Junior Development Tent at Regionals on Wednesday afternoon during registration, and all day Thursday. The tent will be between the two lakes, and close to both start docks. Juniors can check in to pick up their t-shirt and get their picture taken for the guidebook. Special thanks go out to this year’s Junior Development Sponsors – Goode Skis, Kaleidoscope Imprints, Twin Lake Ski Club, Coble Ski Club, Coble ProStar by MasterCraft, and Peace Love & Waterskiing!

This year we are encouraging juniors to help out with volunteer tasks at Regionals with the Super Beast Challenge. Check it out at the Junior Development Table!

Parents and others can check out the FUNdraising activities including a raffle, equipment exchange, and a selection of water ski and East is Beast themed merchandise – all to benefit Junior Development.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Do you have t-shirts left over from your tournaments or events? Donate them to the Junior Development t-shirt sale. Event t-shirts are always some of our most popular items.

Donate you old water ski gear to the Junior Development Equipment Exchange Bin. Here is how it works: Bring your old wetsuits, bindings, gloves, handles, skis … drop it off at the used equipment exchange bin – look for the big blue bucket … and let’s do an equipment sale! You donate the equipment, others snag the equipment and put $$ in the jar. – all proceeds go to Jr Dev!!!!

Any questions or to volunteer to help out, contact TG Powell by email or at 703 395 7499, or stop by the juniors tent at Regionals.

Junior Development Update

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  1. Junior Development is in full swing in the Eastern Region. We just wrapped up a fantastic 3 event clinic in Virginia, with 29 junior skiers from across the region. Corey Vaughn headed up a top notch coaching team that included Austin Able, Michael Bullock, Susie Davis, Chip Debus, Mike Kusiak, and Brett Walker.

More Clinics are coming up!

New Hampshire 3 Event Junior Development Clinic RESCHEDULED!

Due to heavy rains, this tournament has been rescheduled.

New Date:  June 29th   9am – 6pm
Abernaki Water Ski Club at Lake Winnipesaukee
Cost – $50 per person includes everything
Contact – Becky Bartlett rebeccasbartlett@yahoo.com

Vermont Junior Development Clinic
The Green Mountain Water Skiers (GMWS) will host a junior development clinic on July 12th at Wrightsville Reservoir outside Montpelier, Vt. Pro skiing legend (and Vermont native) Chris Rossi will serve as head coach. Contact is Justin Campfield at justin@thinksparkmedia.com.

Virginia Tricks Clinic
The Virginia Water Ski Federation will be holding a tricks clinic on July 10 starting at 9am at Timberlake in Sparta, Virginia. Lee Gotschalk has once again agreed to coach this popular clinic. The focus is on beginning to intermediate trick skiers. Whether you are looking to try trick skiing for the first time, or just want to learn some new tricks, this clinic is for you. Expect to get in 2 to 3 sets, time permitting. Bring your own lunch. Water will be provided. Cost is $60. Sign up is at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054cabaa29a5fa7-junior2

Virginia Slalom Clinics with Corey Vaughn
Join us for the 2018 series of slalom only Junior Development Clinics at the Peace, Love and Water Ski headquarters in Bumpass, VA. Pro Water Skier Corey Vaughn will be coaching and coordinating this clinic. Start time is 9am. Cost is $50 for one set, $100 for 2 sets and $150 for three sets. Sign up below for the number of sets. Payment and waivers will be taken on site the day of the clinic.
Dates are:
June 26th
July 5, 9, 17 and 31
August 7, 13

Sign up for the clinics is at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054cabaa29a5fa7-june4

Juniors Party at Regionals
Back by popular demand – the Juniors Party at Regionals will again be at The Castle Amusement Center, Thursday, July 26, 6-9pm. Check out the sign-up at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F054CABAA29A5FA7-juniors1

Nationals Schedule Update
The Juniors Party at the Goode Water Ski National Championships in Mystic Lakes, Kansas will be held on Thursday evening, August 9th. More details will be available soon.

Pre-Regionals Junior Development Update

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We have a great evening of fun planned for our juniors on Thursday evening from 6pm – 8pm at The Castle Fun Center – take a look at the website at http://thecastlefuncenter.com/.

All juniors competing at Regionals and their siblings are invited for fun, activities, pizza and ice cream. Parents are welcome to join in for the pizza and ice cream. However, we need to get a head count ahead of time. Please RSVP for the party by July 23 by emailing to TG Powell.

Parents who want to purchase activity passes for themselves can do so for a discounted price of $17.99 as long as you reserve your spot by the July 23rd deadline (payment can be made onsite at Regionals at the Junior Development Tent).

Stop by the Junior Development Tent at Regionals on Wednesday afternoon during registration, and all day Thursday. The tent will be between the two lakes, and close to both start docks. Juniors can check in to pick up their t-shirt and get their picture taken for the guidebook. Special thanks go out to Kaleidoscope Imprints for providing the T shirts! Parents and others can check out the FUNdraising activities including a raffle, equipment exchange, and a selection of water ski and East is Beast themed merchandise – all to benefit Junior Development.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Do you have t-shirts left over from your tournaments or events? Donate them to the Junior Development t-shirt sale. Event t-shirts are always some of our most popular items.

Donate you old water ski gear to the Junior Development Equipment Exchange Bin. Here is how it works: Bring your old wetsuits, bindings, gloves, handles, skis … drop it off at the used equipment exchange bin – look for the big blue bucket … and let’s do an equipment sale! You donate the equipment, others snag the equipment and put $$ in the jar. – all proceeds go to Jr Dev!!!!

Any questions or to volunteer to help out, contact TG Powell by email or at 703 395 7499, or stop by the juniors tent at Regionals.

UPCOMING JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT CLINICS

Three Event Junior Development Clinic in Wolfesboro, NH – July 20th. Coaches will be Marianne and Richard Abelson for slalom and tricks and Chip Jones for Jumping. Cost is $50.00 for the day. For more info, contact Becky Bartlett.

One Day Slalom Junior Development Clinics in Virginia – July 19, July 24, August 1 – Coached by Corey Vaughn. More info here: http://www.vawaterski.org/junior-development.html.