For the first time in history, the Wichita area is hosting the 2018 GOODE Water Ski National Championships! With more than 600 athletes expected to participate, many ranging in age from 7 to 85 years old, Mystic Lakes in Maize will be filled with competitors, fans, friends and family Aug. 7-11. The event is free to the public, so make sure you head out to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Current world-record skiers will be competing in our backyard,” Tournament Director Dennis Downes said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to watch the best skiers in the world right here in Wichita.”
Mystic Lakes
Mystic Lakes is located in Maize, KS. A combination of those two lakes along with a third private lake being used allows competition on three world-record water ski lakes. The Mystic Lakes venue has hosted other water ski competitions including:
- Midwest Regional Water Ski Championships
- Junior U.S. Open Water Ski Championships
- Barefoot Water Ski National Championships
This will be the first time the GOODE Water Ski National Championships will be held there, bringing the largest 3-event water ski competition in the nation to Wichita.
What is a 3-event Water Ski Competition?
The three events comprising the 76th GOODE Water Ski National Championships include slalom, tricks and jumping.
- Slalom – Athletes are to run a zigzag pattern through six buoys pulled behind a speedboat. The fastest time with the shortest rope line and no missed buoys wins. Athletes use only one ski.
- Tricks – Beginners use two short skis and intermediate level skiers use one ski during two 20-second runs performing their best tricks. The most points wins, but any trick repeats do not earn additional points.
- Jumping – Athletes compete to jump the farthest off 5-or-6-foot ramps on a long pair of water skis. Every competitor gets three chances and the farthest successful jump (meaning, they land it) is tallied for each. Whoever has the longest jump wins.
America’s Cup Invitational
An amazing addition to the national championships is the America’s Cup Invitational. For just $10 per carload, families will be able to watch world record-holding water skiers competing in the America’s Cup Invitational on Aug. 10. These top-ranked athletes will compete for up to $50,000 in prize money in their three events: slalom, tricks and jumping.
Want to learn more about the 2018 GOODE Water Ski National Championships or the America’s Cup Invitational in Wichita? Whether you are a competitor wanting to know about what to see in Wichita or a local wanting more information on the competitions coming to town, click here.
More fun and entertainment can be found at our calendar of events page or things to do page for visitors and locals alike!