List of members of the Water Ski Hall of Fame facts for kids

The Water Ski Experience Hall of Fame and Museum in Polk City, Florida, is a super cool place! It's like a special club that celebrates the most amazing water skiers and people who have helped the sport grow. The USA Water Ski organization started this Hall of Fame in 1982 to honor these legends. When someone is inducted, it means they've done something truly incredible in water skiing, like winning many championships or inventing new ways to enjoy the sport.

Honoring Water Ski Legends: The 1980s

The 1980s were an exciting time for water skiing, and many pioneers and champions were recognized during this decade.

Inductees of 1982

The very first group of water ski heroes was welcomed into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

• Willa Cook from DeLeon Springs, Florida
• Ralph Samuelson, who is remembered as one of the first people to ever water ski!
• Dick Pope Sr.
• Chuck Stearns from Huntington Beach, California
• Dan B. Hains
• Charles R. Sligh
• Liz Allan Reid from Godfrey, Illinois

Inductees of 1983

More amazing individuals joined the Hall of Fame in 1983.

• Jack Anderson from Hewitt, New Jersey
• Pruce Parker
• Leland G. Sutherland
• William P Barlow
• Don Ibsen

Inductees of 1984

The Hall of Fame continued to grow in 1984, recognizing more key figures.

• Charles Tilgner
• Fred Wiley
• Warren Witherell from Bolton Landing, New York

Inductees of 1986

Two more talented skiers were honored in 1986.

• Wayne Grimditch from Lighthouse Point, Florida
• Barbara Cooper Heddon from Haines City, Florida

Inductees of 1987

The year 1987 saw two more legends added to the list.

• Mike Suyderhoud from Redding, California
• Joe Cash

Inductees of 1988

A single, outstanding water skier was inducted in 1988.

• Ricky McCormick from Winter Haven, Florida

Inductees of 1989

The decade wrapped up with two more important inductions.

• William D. Clifford
• Dick Pope Jr. from Winter Haven, Florida

Water Ski Stars: The 1990s

The 1990s brought new champions and contributors into the spotlight.

Inductees of 1990

The first inductee of the new decade was a well-known name.

• Jack Walker from N. Miami Beach, Florida

Inductees of 1991

Two more influential people were recognized in 1991.

• Linda Leavengood Giddens from Eastman, Georgia
• George Blair from Winter Haven, Florida

Inductees of 1992

The Hall of Fame welcomed two more members in 1992.

• Stew McDonald
• Nancie Rideout Robertson

Inductees of 1993

Three more water ski greats were honored in 1993.

• William P. Barlow Jr. from Oakland, California
• Tommy Bartlett
• Cindy Todd from Pierson, Florida

Inductees of 1994

Two more talented individuals joined the Hall of Fame in 1994.

• Al Tyll from Boynton Beach, Florida
• Karin Roberge Woodson from Melbourne, Florida

Inductees of 1995

The year 1995 saw two more names added to the prestigious list.

• Lisa St. John from Orlando, Florida
• Larry Penacho from Jamul, California

Inductees of 1996

A single, remarkable person was inducted in 1996.

• Skip Gilkerson from Maryville, Tennessee

Inductees of 1997

A dynamic duo was honored in 1997.

• C.W. Lowe from Winter Haven, Florida
• Carole Lowe from Winter Haven, Florida

Inductees of 1998

Two more water ski champions were recognized in 1998.

• Mike Osborn from Winter Haven, Florida
• Alan Kempton from Tampa, Florida

Inductees of 1999

The 1990s concluded with two more impressive inductions.

• Lori Powell-Drell from Cummings, Georgia
• Jeffry Armstrong from Grenada, Mississippi

New Millennium Water Skiers: The 2000s

The new century continued to celebrate the best in water skiing.

Inductees of 2000

The year 2000 started with two notable inductees.

• Deena Brush Mapple from Orlando, Florida
• Mike Seipel from Atlantis, Florida

Inductees of 2001

A single, outstanding athlete was honored in 2001.

• Sammy Duvall from Orlando, Florida

Inductees of 2002

Two more talented skiers joined the Hall of Fame in 2002.

• Mike Avila from Pacifica, California
• Jennifer Calleri-Schwenk from Winter Haven, Florida

Inductees of 2003

Another incredible water skier was inducted in 2003.

• Camille Duvall-Hero from New York City

Inductees of 2004

The year 2004 saw one more name added to the list.

• Tory Baggiano from Alexandria, Virginia

Inductees of 2005

A celebrated water skier was honored in 2005.

• Dave Reinhart from Defiance, Ohio

Inductees of 2006

Two more international stars were recognized in 2006.

• Bob LaPoint from Truckee, CA
• Carl Roberge from Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Inductees of 2007

Three more amazing individuals were inducted in 2007.

• Scotty Clack from Winter Haven, FL
• Britt Larsen-Kovak from Cambridge, Ontario
• Tawn Larsen-Hahn from Southport, CT

Inductees of 2008

Two more water ski legends joined the Hall of Fame in 2008.

• Marsha Fitzgerald from Concord, NC
• Kris LaPoint from Orlando, FL

Inductees of 2009

The 2000s concluded with two more impressive inductions.

• Lucky Lowe from Lake Alfred, FL
• Lynn Novakofski from Winter Haven, FL

Inductees of 2010

The new decade started with a well-known name.

• Darin Shapiro from Orlando, FL

Inductees of 2011

Two more talented skiers were honored in 2011.

• Debbie Nordblad from Long Beach, California
• Ron Scarpa from Winter Haven, FL

Inductees of 2012

The Hall of Fame welcomed two more members in 2012.

• Sherri Slone from Hays, KS
• Wade Cox from Orlando, FL

Inductees of 2013

Three more water ski greats were honored in 2013.

• Cory Pickos from Santa Rosa Beach, FL
• Jim Grew
• Kristi Overton-Johnson from Keystone Heights, FL

Inductees of 2014

A single, outstanding athlete was inducted in 2014.

• Cheryl Orloff

Inductees of 2015

Four more amazing individuals were inducted in 2015.

• Bill Bowness
• Jennifer Leachman LaPoint from Windermere, FL
• Kim Laskoff from Orlando, FL
• Jeff Rodgers

Inductees of 2016

The year 2016 saw four more names added to the prestigious list.

• Cathy & Gerry Luiting
• Lori Dunsmore
• Martie Wells
• William Farrell

Inductees of 2017

Two more water ski champions were recognized in 2017.

• Brenda Nichols Baldwin
• Rachel George Normand

Inductees of 2018

A single, remarkable person was inducted in 2018.

• Rhoni Barton Bischoff

Inductees of 2019

The 2010s concluded with two more impressive inductions.

• Don Mixon
• Parks Bonifay

Water Ski Heroes: The 2020s

The current decade continues to celebrate the best in water skiing.

Inductees of 2020

The year 2020 started with three notable inductees.

• Joe Ray
• Mandy Nightingale
• Shaun Murray

Inductees of 2021

No new inductees were announced in 2021.

Inductees of 2022

Two more talented skiers joined the Hall of Fame in 2022.

• Tara Hamilton Wynne
• Zane Schwenk

Inductees of 2023

Two more water ski legends were honored in 2023.

• Jimmy Siemers
• Keith St. Onge

Inductees of 2024

The inductees for 2024 have already been announced and celebrated.