Congratulations to the Auburn University Water Ski Team for receiving a grant from our newly formed USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Collegiate Team Grant Program. The Auburn University Water Ski Team has more than doubled in size in the past few years. They are developing new officials and planning a 50th Anniversary event for 2024.  USAWWF is proud to support Auburn and all of our collegiate teams! The Foundation has established a fund from which grants are awarded.  Funds will be used for unreimbursed team expenses such as equipment, travel, entry fees, and training. Co ..read more

Congratulations to the Southern Illinois University Water Ski Team, aka “Saluskis,” for receiving a grant from our newly formed USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Collegiate Team Grant Program. The SIU Water Ski Team is revitalizing its team and the DuQuoin site. USAWWF is proud to support SIU-Saluskis and their endeavors. We would also like to thank all of our sponsors and donors for making this happen: #collegiatewaterski #usawwf #wearethefoundation #waterskifuture  ..read more

You may know him as the man behind the most epic photos in water skiing history or as the showman who set Cypress Gardens on fire back in the day. You may call him Lynn or Nova, or if you're like us, you call him HERO. Lynn Novakofski is being inducted into the 2024 International Water Ski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) Hall of Fame, and he will be honored at this year's USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame Ceremony on April 6th at the Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven, Florida. Lynn is a legend and a Show Skiing "Pioneer." But forget the covered wagon. Lynn could do anything on the wa ..read more

All but a few collegiate water ski teams are self-funded, with no assistance from the colleges/universities.  Teams are using old equipment, traveling long distances to compete, and have training costs of gas and insurance. The Foundation has established a fund from which grants may be awarded to collegiate teams.  Funds will be used for unreimbursed team expenses such as equipment, travel (air, hotels, transportation), entry fees, and training expenses (boat gas, coaching, lake rental).    Collegiate Water Ski Teams may apply year-round.  A small committee will revie ..read more

Trustees and Friends, This is a friendly reminder that “Taxpayers aged 70 ½ and over may donate up to $100,000 each year from their IRA to qualified nonprofits. This donation can include the RMD amount. Donating the RMD money (or more) to charity keeps it out of your taxable adjusted gross income. Giving money from your IRA to charity is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution, or QCD. It’s a tax strategy you should consider, especially if you already make charitable donations each year.” If you, or anyone you know, is over age 70 ½ and still must make your mandatory RMD (required minimum ..read more

U.S. Wakeboarding athletes Dallas Friday and Cathy Williams and Wakeboarding official Janifer Ellis will be formally enshrined into the International Waterski & Wakeboard Hall of Fame during the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 6, 2024. The IWWF International Hall of Fame recognizes, appreciates, and understands the incredible contribution each recipient has made to their discipline, community, clubs, federations, confederations, the world, and the IWWF. ​ The IWWF Hall of Fame can be seen in its entirety in our museum in Davenpo ..read more

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation’s Award of Distinction. The five recipients will be honored with Hall of Fame Inductee Elaine Heller Fatla on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven, Florida. For more information on the Ceremony, go HERE. The 2024 recipients of the Award of Distinction are Joe Knapp, Alex Lauretano, Jason Lee, Dennis Longo, and Dusty Schulz. Joe Knapp (Barefooting) Joe Knapp fell in love with barefoot water skiing wh ..read more

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to announce the 2024 inductee to the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame. Elaine Heller Fatla will be formally enshrined at the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Elaine will be inducted along with the 2024 Award of Distinction Recipients: Joe Knapp, Alex Lauretano, Jason Lee, Dennis Longo, and Dusty Schulz. Elaine Heller Fatla is the first and only American woman to fly inverted off a barefoot ramp, land, and ski away in compe ..read more

Emma Davis and Vittorio Bloyer won the overall titles in their respective age divisions at the 2023 U.S. Water Ski National Championships at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, Florida. The scholarships will be held in escrow by the Foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice. Vittorio Bloyer won the Boys 5 National Overall Points award and has been awarded the Dr. J.D. Morgan Scholarship of $1,000. Emma Davis won the Girls 5 National Overall Points award and has been awarded the Linda Giddens Scholarship of $1,000. Congratulations on great performances, Emma, Vittori ..read more

The USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Foundation is giving away thousands of dollars in scholarships to young water sports athletes from across the country. These particular scholarships are awarded annually at the Goode Water Ski National Championships to the overall winners of each of the Boys and Girls Divisions. The Scholarships will be held in escrow by the Foundation until these young people attend the college or university of their choice. Grace Lohr won the Girls 2 National Overall Points award and has been awarded the Walter May Scholarship. Bode Bulfer won the Boys 2 National Overall Po ..read more