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Attention: Sports, Winter Haven Events Writers

From: "Blairfoot Bananza"
       Chairperson Sue Smith
       Winter Haven Florida
       863-325-8257
       [email protected]

For Release: Immediately
 

Banana George Welcomes the World to Winter Haven and the
16th Annual Blairfoot Bananza World Endurance Competition
for all Barefoot Skiers
October 4 & 5, 2003, Lake Silver, Winter Haven, Florida
 

Winter Haven, FL. - The 16th annual Blairfoot Bananza for barefoot water skiers around the country will be held October 4 & 5 on Lake Silver in downtown Winter Haven, FL.

This will mark the ninth 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. This year, with the Barefoot World's the following week also in Winter Haven, Florida, the Bananza is hoping to attract its' largest number of competitors to date.

The event is hosted by the City Of Winter Haven, Central Florida's Sports Marketing and Lakeland Ski Club. It is sanctioned by USA Water Ski.

Male and female barefooters of all ages and ability 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 winner of last years World Endurance title was Billy Nichols from Ocala, Florida.

The Blairfoot Bananza also offers a special  Jr. Boom and Pig tail event, allowing up and coming younger barefooters a chance to compete in the Bananaza. The Bananza also has a special Open Division pitting the past Bananza champions against each other and all World & National Team competitors.

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 overcome 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 88 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, Nike, Amor-All, Chiquita, Sea-Doo, or the Florida Lottery. And you've undoubtedly seen "Banana" George during one of his many TV appearances with  Regis and Kathie, NBC Today, Letterman, Discovery Channel, "Atmospheres" of the Weather Channel, CNN, ESPN, or CBS This Morning and the American Health Network. Banana George Blair was also featured in the July- August Sports Illustrated For Women naming him among the 81 sexiest men in sports, the only one in the water skiing world and the only one over the age of 48!

The Blairfoot Bananza is open to the public and free to spectators. The competition will begin on Saturday, October 4 at 8:30 am with the Endurance competition. On Sunday, the Head to Head competition will take place.

For more information about the Blairfoot Bananza or entry information for the 16th Annual Blairfoot Bananza contact Sue Smith at 863-325-8257 or [email protected]