Attention: Sports, Winter Haven Events Writers

From:   "Blairfoot Bananza"
    Chairperson Sue Smith
    Winter Haven Florida
    863-325-8747
    [email protected]

For Release: Immediately

14th Annual "Banana" George�s Blairfoot Bananza for Barefoot Skiers set for October 6 & 7, 2001.

A National and International field of barefooters compete in Endurance and Head to Head Figure eight events on Winter Haven�s Lake Silver.

Winter Haven, FL. - The 14th annual Blairfoot Bananza for barefoot water skiers around the country will be held October 6 & 7 on Lake Silver in downtown Winter Haven, FL.

This will mark the seventh year that the increasingly popular tournament will be held on Lake Silver in downtown Winter Haven. In past years the very successful event attracted competitors from over 25 different states and 4 countries, making it an international event.

The event is hosted by the City Of Winter Haven Leisure Services Department of Polk County, Central Florida�s Sports Marketing and Lakeland Ski Club. It is sanctioned by USA Water Ski.

Male and female barefooters of all ages will compete in two events. The endurance event will test strength and stamina, as the skier competes against the clock. The figure-eight competition pits two barefooters against each other as they are being pulled at approximately 36 mph behind a single boat going around a figure eight course.

The Endurance champion and the Figure Eight champion will challenge each other for the prestigious title of World Endurance Champion. The winners of last years World Endurance title were Billy Nichols of Ocala, Florida and Sharon Remy of Orlando, Florida.

A special Jr. Boom and Pig tail event were added to the Bananza last year with great success allowing up and coming younger barefooters to compete in the Bananaza.

This year, in order to make the competition a little better and not have so many men in
one division we have created two men's groups.
New age groups.
    Juniors         Under 18
    Men 1       18 through 31
    Men 2       32 through 45
    Sr. Men 46 and Over.

The Blairfoot Bananza is named after the ambassador of barefooting, Banana George Blair. Banana George is a member of USA Water Ski, American Barefoot Club and is also in the water ski Hall of Fame. He took up the sport of water skiing to help over come a back injury in 1955 when he was 40 years old and went on to become the only man to barefoot on all seven continents. Banana George, who turned 86 in January is still an active competitor in barefooting and competes every year in the Blairfoot Bananza.

If you haven�t encountered Banana George in person, you�ve likely seen him in the world of print and television advertising- swathed in yellow and barefoot water skiing for Chevrolet- Malibu, Amor-All, Chiquita Banana, Sea-Doo, the Florida Lottery. And you�ve undoubtedly seen "Banana" George during one of his many TV appearances on the Regis and Kathie Lee Show, NBC Today Show, Late Night with David Letterman, the Discovery Channel, "Atmospheres" of the Weather Channel, CNN, ESPN, or CBS This Morning and the American Heath Network.

The Blairfoot Bananza is open to the public and free to spectators. The competition will begin on Saturday October 6 at 9 am with the Endurance competition, followed by the Head to Head competition on Sunday.

 For more information about the Blairfoot Bananza or entry information for the 14th Annual Blairfoot Bananza contact Sue Smith at 863-325-8747 or [email protected]