Local skiers win national titles

Kendra Nathan

Two Canyon Lake skiers came away from the 78th Goode Water Ski National Championships with national titles. With over 600 of the best skiers in the country participating in the championships last week in Louisiana, Kendra Nathan won the Overall National Championship in the Girls 4 Division and Brad Hartwell won the M7 Trick National Championship.

The two skiers were among six Canyon Lake skiers who qualified and participated in the championship event. In addition to Kendra and Brad, Carol Brooks, Jim Brooks, Tom Nathan, and Kevin Hyatt represented Canyon Lake at Tri-Lakes in Zachary, LA. Tuesday through Saturday last week.

Kendra’s toughness was tested after a very close slalom event in which three buoys separated the top four girls. She scored personal bests by placing second in both trick and jump events. After placing in fourth place in the slalom event, she earned the Girls 4 Overall National Championship.

Brad Hartwell

Brad Hartwell won the National Championship in the M7 trick event. Combined with his other scores, Brad placed fourth in the overall competition.

The other Canyon Lake skiers placed extremely well in the National Competition.

Carol placed second in slalom and third in trick. With those high finishes, she won third place in the overall competition.

Kevin skied well in all three events, earning him a fifth place in the Men’s 5 overall competition.

Advancement to the world’s largest three-event water ski tournament was primarily earned through placement on the national rankings list. Skiers also could qualify by placing in the top-five in the previous year’s event or at respective 2020 regional championships. The American Water Ski Association, a sport discipline organization of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports, and Tri-Lakes hosted the tournament.

Both Jim and Carol Brooks qualified for and participated in the 78th Goode Water Ski National Championships in Louisiana last week. Carol took Overall Competition third place in her division. Photo provided by Diana Sue Parker

The first national championships were held in 1939 at Jones Beach in Long Island, NY. Except for three years during World War II (1942-1944), the Nationals have been held every year since 1939.

The 2020 Nationals were originally scheduled for Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, FL, however, the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches decided to pull out as the local organizing club due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on South Florida.