The Lake Norman New Years Day Barefoot Challenge is one of the longest running and unique barefoot tournaments in the world.  Held annually at Lake Norman Marina and hosted by the Carolina Show Ski Team, it combines starts, tricks, and endurance skills in one single ride.   

New course record was broken in 2019 by Keith St Onge with 1102 points, beating out the former record holder Jeff Blair set a new course record of 816 points (2011), World Barefoot Champion Ron Scarpa held the previous record before Jeff with 693 points in 1996.  In 2014 Peter Fleck won the Open Division, but came short of setting a new course record.

‘Footers come from around the country to brave air temperatures usually in the mid to high 40’s and water temperatures in the high 50s. Water conditions are challenging, because the towboat doesn’t wait for the water to calm between skiers.  The circle pattern keeps the action close to the spectators, but also adds to the difficulty.   

The challenges of the tournament don’t prevent advanced starts and tricks.  Frequently backward dock starts, 180s, tumbleturns and one foots are all executed.

The best part of the tournament is the camaraderie, novelty, and fun!  Come join the adventure, the challenge and the many things to do in the Lake Norman area!  Let us know if you are bringing an out-of-state team to take on the local Carolinians.  We will create team scoring to see who rules!

Divisions:  Boom, Male, Female, Open

Who skis in the Open Division?  Any contestant may choose to compete in the Open Division, but these contestants MUST ski in Open:

• Placed third or higher in any past Lake Norman Barefoot Challenge tournament

• Has competed in a regional or national barefoot tournament

 Tournament Rules

• You may use the tournament supplied rope and/or bring your own

• Choose your start method from the approved list of starts (additional starts may be submitted for approval)

• You must be ready to go once the boat is ready to begin your run, unless the judge deems it was an emergency situation and grants additional time. 

• If you do not maintain barefoot position for five seconds, you will be offered a second attempt

• You may change speeds as much as you like (maximum boat speed likely to be about 45MPH)

• The judge may grant a delay in starting your run or grant a re-ride due to unfair conditions (note that the conditions vary some for every contestant)

 Scoring

• One point for every second of your run.  Unintentional butt drops, butt slides, body drags, etc are allowed.

• You may repeat a trick once for additional points.  Reverses must follow the regular to receive credit.

• Start Method score is combined with tricks score and time score

• We can create Team Scoring if you have a team that wants to take on the Carolinians!