When:          May 14-16, 2003
Where:        Waco, Texas (Brazos River)
Why:            To put on a clinic and ski with the boys from Waco.

Barefooting in the clinic Wed. morning were Aaron York, Mike West, Stuart Parsons and Donny Lynn.  We started jumping right away based around everyone’s first year jumping besides Aaron’s, but it has been fifteen years for him.  “Alright guys we’re starting on the boom with the shoes and we’ll go from there.”  The response I got wasn’t too exciting but away we went with getting air and flying with the birds.  I took my time making sure the jumpers learned the correct way and not skipping steps.  Many people that jump think that after taking a couple jumps on the boom with shoes on, they are ready to go on their feet on the five foot or even behind the boat.  That’s not the case, and I stressed that when jumping, it’s important to respect the jump and not rush to the next level!

Everyone took two awesome jump sets except for Donny, but he dazzled us with his newly learned front one foot wakes!  Fourty seven years old and only barefooting once or twice a week, he screamed across the wake showing us that he could score 5.2 in fifteen seconds. 

Improvements from last year was Mike West completing a back toe on the boom, Stuart Parsons doing front one foot wakes and a back to front behind the boat and Aaron York cleaning up his back one foot wake crosses.  All in all the foot’n was great and jumping will be there new goal for ’03. 

Thurs. morning we jumped hard again and everyone took it to the next level with larger jumps and smoother landings.  Mike and Stuart were getting ready for a tournament at Terra Mere lakes in Crosby, TX.  From what I heard there were eleven PB’s set at the Standings List tournament and only two BFC members will be getting paid $25.00.  If you’re a member of BFC and ski a Personal Best we will pay you!!  In other words BFC saved $225.00, which could’ve gone back into the sport!!  “Thanks for saving us money guys and gals but we would’ve loved to pay you!! Click Here to find out the benifits of joining our team.

Fri. was a reality check for the jumpers because I had them regress for safety reasons and less crashes.  I like to take two steps back for one giant step forward.  So, we got back on shoes and a three foot rope to work the basics.  On the second set everyone started jumping on the five foot handle on their feet and it was a success.  Following that we jumped behind the boat on shoes and had Stuart and Aaron staying square with perfect drifts!  Every afternoon we’d all watch video and discuss what needs to be changed.  In the life of barefooting, I’d have to say the three most important pieces of equipment would be a boom, shoe skis and a video camera!  Each footer had his own video camera so they could research their skiing every night and be ready for the next morning.  That’s some quality skiing!!   

Following our day of barefooting, Peggy, Aaron’s wife and himself had a catfish fry ready for the starving footers.  It was some of the best catfish I’ve ever had but what else can you expect from a Texan!  

It’s been a week since I’ve been in Waco, just ending my clinic in Chicago and I heard Aaron and Stuart are now jumping inverted on the boom.  This tells me that their raise is correct and there relaxing in the air.  I love to hear good news and I’ll be checking up with then throughout the summer.  I’d like to thank the Waco gang for their great Southern hospitality and a lot of fun!  Hopefully I’ll being seeing you all next year or maybe at Gliding Soles Barefoot Camp in Tampa, FL!!

Keith St.Onge (KSO)
www.GlidingSoles.com