Category Archives: Member Highlights

Seeking new header images

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It’s been several years since any new images have been added to the website. If anyone has any they’d like to have highlighted, please email to webmaster. They must be at least 1200 pixels wide and should be croppable to the shape of the header images, three times as wide as tall, losing the top and bottom. It would be nice to get some of Timberlake and Avon Regionals and our new young stars.

In case you are not aware, although pictures are mostly randomly displayed, they can also be assigned to a page, so I will choose the best ones submitted for the header of each of the records pages that I just updated.

Please don’t overwhelm me. Send me your best.

 

The passing of Jerry Stansberry

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Jerry Stansberry, a pioneer of competitive water skiing in Virginia, passed away on Saturday, September 10th. Many of us have much appreciation and gratitude for what Jerry accomplished. Roger Hammel provided the following summary regarding Jerry’s contributions toward our sport.Photo from Parsell Funeral Homes website

Virginia Competitive WaterSkiers:

If you are relatively new to VA waterskiing, you may not know Jerry. So this is both a tribute to Jerry and a bit of a history lesson as I remember or know it.

Jerry has been retired from the Virginia and Eastern Region skiing scene for about 5 years, maybe a couple more, electing to become an Emeritus Judge. Before that, Jerry was a very active Senior Judge in our area.

To get a sense of the importance of Jerry to Virginia and Eastern Region waterskiing, you need to go back into the late 50’s and play it forward from there. So lets talk about Jerry and competitive skiing in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and later so everyone gets a sense of who this lady was and her central roles in waterskiing as we know it. It is a wee small history lesson for VA competitive waterskiing, too, focused on Jerry.  Not everyone or every lake is mentioned, as this is a description of Jerry and her roles. You have my apologies for omissions. Continue reading →

Congratulations to Our Regional Award Winners

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Thanks to the Old Farm Skiers in Avon, CT for hosting our 2020 Eastern Regionals and providing a venue for such great performances!

TOMMY KELLY, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD
This award is presented to the best overall male and female skier in the Eastern Regional Tournaments based on total NOPS score.

2020 Recipients
Ava Cole
Ty Robbins

 

AL TYLL AWARD
For the highest score in Tricks at the Eastern Regionals

2020 Recipients
Alexia Ableson
Jake Abelson

 

TINY RICHARDS MEMORIAL AWARD
This award is presented to the judge who displays the most skill, knowledge and dedication to the sport of water skiing.

2020 Recipient
Billy Cirilli

 

JAMES G. SYLVESTER MEMORIAL TROPHY
This award is presented to the individual demonstrating the highest degree of sportsmanship and integrity in the sport of water skiing.

2020 Recipient
Dave Knight

 

Congratulations to our award recipients!

In Memory of Bill Sapp

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Unsung Hero

Bill Sapp

There are many unsung heroes in our water ski community.  Without them our sport wouldn’t be what it is today.

Bill Sapp, a founding member of both Timberlake and also of Garlands Millpond before Timberlake, passed away on April 30th.  Bill had been battling Parkinson’s and was pretty much bed bound from that.  Recently he developed Covid-19.  Our prayers go out to Bill and his family.  Bill had 3 children, now adults.  Erin, his eldest daughter, Gayle his middle daughter,and Brett, his youngest, all skied at Timberlake. Brett did quite a bit of fishing there as well.   Janet Marks is Bill‘s sister and she has been by his side since Parkinson’s took over his life.

If Bill had not been with us to help plan, guide and especially execute his leadership role in Timberlake’s physical development, there simply would not be a Timberlake.
(Roger Hammel)

When you look around Timberlake you see Bill’s lagacy.  The workmanship in the Timberlake boat house is in great part due to his precision and hard work.

Billy was a pleasant guy and was that way to all.  I never
heard him say anything ugly or disparaging, he was a true gentleman, and
he always shared a great smile.  Billy contributed a lot to Timberlake
as an accomplished builder and hard worker.
(Al Harris)

 

 

An Unexpected Loss In The Water Ski Community

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It is with a very heavy heart that I report the unexpected passing of our dear friend and long time leader, Gordon Hall.  Gordon was in an aviation accident Tuesday, March 3rd.  Please keep Barbara, Steven, Bobby, Katy, and the entire Hall family in your prayers.
A Memorial Service honoring the life of Gordon Hall is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 1:00PM

Continue reading →

Dave Goode, 1955 – 2020

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It is with a heavy heart that GOODE Skis announces the passing of its founder and president, Dave Goode.
Dave, 64, died Wednesday while taking part in one of his many passions, piloting his airplane.
Through his numerous technological advancements in both water skiing and snow skiing, and financial support of countless events and athletes in both sports, Dave touched the lives of thousands of people by helping them, and the sports they love, push the limits of performance.
A 2014 USA Water Ski Hall of Fame Award of Distinction recipient and member of the Michigan Water Ski Hall of Fame, Dave was an accomplished international competitor in both sports, recently winning the downhill event at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Masters National Speed Series and earning a bronze medal in trick skiing at the Pan American Senior Water Ski Championships.
Dave leaves behind his beloved wife Dawn, parents Paul and Mimi, children Michael Goode, Lisa Goode McHugh (John), Whitney Hebard Felkl (Hans), Gregory Hebard (Adrianna), and granddaughters Maple Julia McHugh and Sunny Elizabeth Hebard.

The People Behind the Awards

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When I started as EVP for the AWSA Eastern Region, I knew I had a lot to learn. We’re involved in a sport with a rich history and some quite amazing people from right here in the Eastern Region. I asked Jon Thacher to help me understand some of that history and to know the stories behind the people and awards that we hand out each year. Here are a few…

James G. Sylvester Story

Tiny Richards Story

Tommy Kelly, Jr. Story

Check out the “Awards” page to see the recent winners of these awards!

 

Celebrating the Life of Emmy Healy

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Each one of us is on a journey.  We travel from day to day in work, in play, in life.  We are fortunate to have others with whom we can share in our journey.  Through our love of a sport, we are blessed with an opportunity to meet people that we otherwise may never know.  We find ourselves inspired by the accomplishments of others, knowing that what they’ve done is not easy.

Emmy Healy was one of those who inspired many in the water ski community.  She is remembered as a very humble, kind person, and of course a great skier. It is a Blessing knowing she is no longer in pain and may she Rest In Peace. Prayers for Emmy and her family. Our deepest sympathies to those who were close to her.

Records held by Emmy include:

W4 Trick – Emmy Healy 3520 pts East Regionals – Avon 8/1/1996
W5 Trick – Emmy Healy 3560 pts MC Eastern Regionals “R” – Dave’s Pond 8/5/2002
W6 Trick – Emmy Healy 3560 pts Eastern Regionals “R” – Avon 8/0/2003

Continue reading →

Paul Allebach 1940 – 2019

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Paul Allebach passed away September 19 at his home in Harleysvile, PA, following an extended illness.  He is survived by his wife Sarah, sisters Alice Kolb and Esther Kauffman, brothers Jim and Abe, nieces Nancy Swartout and Kathy Becker, and many other nieces and nephews.

Paul was a member of AWSA for almost 60 years, participating in many local, regional and national tournaments as both a trick skier and a senior driver. He was a member of the Diamond State Water Ski Team, served as chief driver of Nationals and drove several Pan-Am tournaments.  Paul was a member of the AWSA board of directors and chairman of the towboat committee for a number of years.

He also enjoyed many snow skiing trips, visiting new resorts whenever possible.  He followed Philadelphia sports teams and NASCAR.

Read the full obituary at WilliamsBergeyKoffel.com.

Grass Roots Done Right

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Buskey Cup

This Spring I was fortunate to be part of one of the best grass roots tournaments ever!

The Buskey Cider Cup

Roughly 120 water skiers and cider enthusiasts gathered on a Saturday in Bumpass, VA for the second annual “Buskey Cider Cup.” The event features an all levels, all ages, all for fun water ski tournament, surrounded by a festival atmosphere. While skiers were giving their best performance on the water, spectators enjoyed swimming, lounging, merchandise shopping, a cash prize cornhole tournament and delicious Buskey Cider. As the sun was setting Continue reading →