“Known for his signature YELL when coming off the jump ramp!”

Vic was a water ski competitor, driver and judge.  He was National Sr. Men’s jump champion in 1996 and 6 times Southern Region Sr. Men’s Jump Champion.  He competed in tournaments from the early 1960′s through the early 1980′s in everything from mixed doubles to ski racing.  Upon retiring from competition after a hip replacement, Vic continued to judge at tournaments around the south. 

In 1992 the Tennessee State Water Ski Association implemented a “Vic Varallo Award”, which reads; “In Appreciation for Unselfishness and Dedicated Services to the Tennessee Water Ski Association.”  It has been given each year to a deserving individual.  He was the first inducted into the Tennessee State Water Ski Hall of Fame in 1995. 

Vic taught, coached and mentored countless young people throughout the years and made positive, long lasting impressions on their lives.  He always called you “Sonny” whether he was yelling at you, coaching you, or teaching you.  READ ENTIRE LEGACY

The American Water Ski Educational Foundation’s 10-member Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced that former professional water ski athletes Wade Cox and Sherri Slone will be the 2012 AWSEF Water Ski Hall of Fame inductees. The 30th annual induction ceremony will take place April 21 at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Fla. Cox and Slone will be the 62nd and 63rd inductees into the AWSEF Hall of Fame, which is located in Polk City, Fla.

Wade Cox

Cox was perhaps the most successful U.S. slalom skier of his time. He scored points and wins on the U.S. Pro Water Ski Tour, facing tough competition from others such as Great Britain’s Andy Mapple. He always credited the competition as incentive to improve. He has more than 30 victories in professional water skiing. He held the U.S. national slalom record at one time. In 1996 he won men’s slalom titles at the Masters and U.S. Open. The high point of his career was in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He earned a bronze medal in men’s slalom at the 1995 Water Ski World Championships.

Slone’s skiing career had many honors and victories, even though throughout most of her career shewas competing against other top women who are now in the Hall of Fame. She co-held the U.S. women’s jumping record at 156 feet (47.5 meters) before the ramp for Open Women was raised to 5-½ feet. She was the world champion in jumping in 1991. She won more than 20 pro tournaments.

Sherri Sloan

Although noted mainly for her jumping, she also was a three-eventer in traditional skiing. She was ranked in the top-three in women’s overall in the world for several years. In 1990, when there were competing pro tours, she accomplished a unique feat of winning two separate pro jumping titles on the same day. She contributed to the sport by serving on the American Water Ski Association’s International Activities Committee and becoming a rated judge.

The 2012 Award of Distinction recipients, also to be honored during the AWSEF Hall of Fame inductions, are: Bob Maher, Larry Meddock, Lance Renfrow, Don Thomson and Mike Tolzmann.

Bob Maher

Maher, a three-event water skier, started his ski company, Maherajah Skis, in 1950. Maherajah had some key skiers, such as the LaPoints, using his product. His innovations included beveled side edges, high-wrap bindings, and concave bottoms on their top quality wooden skis. Today, Maherajah Skis is mainly noted as a manufacturer of water ski racing skis.

Larry Meddock

Meddock’s water ski industry career spans almost 50 years, beginning with Medalist Water Sports, later at Correct Craft, and continuing today as executive director of the Water Sports Industry Association. He served as AWSEF trustee from 1986-92 and chairman of the board from 1990-93.

Renfrow has been an AWSEF trustee since 1986 and served on the Hall of Fame

Lance Renfrow

Selection Committee over three terms. He was an engineer by trade and was an early designer of a private lake in Newberry Springs, Calif.

Thomson introduced back barefooting to the Cypress Gardens ski shows, was an endurance barefoot record holder and the first ever to do the doubles act (a girl riding on his shoulders) barefoot. He was instrumental in introducing the use of carbon fiber in molded skis and the “wing” to slalom ski fins.”

Tolzmann was a three-event water skier and show skier, but went into the freestyle event when it was

Mike Tolzman

featured on the Pro Tour for a few years. He was noted for putting out huge distances while doing tricks off the ramp. Distances became so long in the freestyle event that the rules were even modified to reduce the scoring bonus.

Don Thompson

The purpose of the Water Ski Hall of Fame is to honor and perpetuate the names and accomplishments of skiers, pioneers and officials whose dedication and competitive achievements at national and international levels have brought lasting fame to the sport of water skiing. Four categories of membership have been approved by the AWSEF’s board of trustees: competitive water skiers, including participants in traditional water skiing, barefoot skiing, ski racing and any other nationally competitive individual discipline recognized by USA Water Ski and approved by the AWSEF board of trustees; water skiing pioneers; water skiing officials; and show skiing. For eligibility requirements and more information, visit the official Web site of the American Water Ski Educational Foundation at www.waterskihalloffame.com.

Skillman Suydam

Skillman Suydam, the 1951 National Men Overall Champion, visit the AWSEF’s water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum in October.  Skillman spent time reviewing the magazines in the library, reminiscing his past.  His energetic and accomplished father, Henry Suydam, was an expert skier despite the fact that he had lost one arm below the elbow.  Henry taught his son to ski in 1948 after seeing a Cypress Gardens movie short on the sport.  They drove to the Gardens to have a look at Dick Pope’s water ski show and they were sold on water skiing.  They lived on a lake in Orlando and had an old rowbaot with a 22 horsepower Johnson outboard motor.  The Suydams acquired a homemade pair of skis and started teaching themselves to water ski.  Click here for the complete article and story for the July 1952 issue of Open Road magazine.

Photo Lynn Novakofski

The day began at 9:00 a.m. and skiers took to the water until dark.  The Legends Deena Mapple, Kris LaPoint, Jennifer Leachman LaPoint, Ricky McCormick, Cory Pickos, Lucky Lowe, Jack Travers and driver Les Todd spent the day giving useful tips and mingling with our guests.  A little north wind did not stop the skiers from jumping into the water for four rounds of coaching from the experts.  All levels and ages were in attendance participating in slalom, jump and tricks.  Skiers traveled all the way from New York to enjoy the Florida sunshine and event.

All ages enjoyed skiing with the Legends

Tim Huston was inspired by just one of  Kris Lapoint’s tips and immediately improved on his more difficult pass.  Kris also made a good point to Tim about skiers staying fit and maintaining an exercise routine during the off-season, and Tim was headed to the gym the next day.

Park Miller from Palm Beach drove up to Lake Grew to spend the day with the Legends.  Kris observed Park skiing and made a slight fin change that made his ski more stable in the turns.  Park commented “It was a great opportunity to take advantage of the knowledge and skills of the Legends team.”

Griff Griffin sums up the day in his own words

A LEGENDARY DAY

Griff Griffin and Jennifer Leachman LaPoint

It’s a cool morning in November and I’m on the starting dock at Lake Grew, which is just behind the Water Ski Hall of Fame. I have my ski vest, gloves and ski on, and from the boat, someone tosses me the rope. I look up and it’s Kris LaPoint. He and Jennifer Leachman-LaPoint are set to coach me as Jack Travers drives the boat. WHAT!!?? Am I dreaming? It would certainly appear so. No, this was not a dream. I was conscious and actually skiing while the legends of water skiing took me for an unforgettable ride.

The Legends of Water Skiing

On November 12, 2011 the “Ski With The Legends” event was held for water skiers who could have only imagined skiing with such talented athletes. Along with Kris, Jennifer, and Jack, other legends of the water skiing world were there to coach; Ricky McCormick, Cory Pickos, Lucky Lowe, Les Todd and Deena Mapple.   Water skiers of all levels, from beginners to short line skiers spent the day being coached, educated and hanging out with the legends. Lunch and dinner were provided and the guest skiers and Legends had the chance to get to know each other on a personal level. Nudge, elbow, pinch! Just checking…

Driving tips were shared by the driving legends as each skier got a chance to be coached and driven by one or more of the legendary athletes. Where can you get a chance to advance your water skiing knowledge like this?

Kris offers valuable ski set-up advice

One of the highlights of the day was the session that took place lakeside with the ski and fin demonstration, under a tent with an awestruck crowd hanging on to every word Kris LaPoint said. Many of us have read or heard some of the information before, but there was something about how the information was presented, or maybe it was who was presenting it. I know that the water skiers who attended the presentation went home thinking about something Kris had said and most will be in their garage or dockside adjusting their fin, wing or bindings sometime this week. Everyone came away with a greater knowledge of skis and Kris.

“Ski With The Legends” was held as a fund raiser for AWSEF Water Ski Hall of Fame and we are planning to make this an annual event. Thanks to all the legends that attended, as they donated their time and knowledge in this effort to grow the sport. A special thanks goes to Carole Lowe for her hard work to help make this a great event. Steve Kleemann initiated the idea as Tim Huston and I helped to make it happen. Our thanks also goes out to the boat drivers, the guests who participated, and to the sponsors for all their donations and continued support. The Water Ski Hall of Fame wouldn’t exist without their generosity. – Griff Griffin

See all the Photos

Event Sponsors:

Overton’s – http://www.overtons.com/
EZFinTool – http://vidkingdom.net/content/view/57/84/
Malibu Boats – http://www.malibuboats.com/
Mastercraft – http://www.mastercraft.com/
Ski Nautique – http://www.nautique.com/
Bart’s Water Sports – http://www.bartswatersports.com/
Cary Thompson (FS Braiding)- http://www.fsbraiding.com/
USA Water Ski – http://www.usawaterski.org/