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As I did once, to kick off the summer, I am enjoying writing this newsletter from the tranquility of the dock, here in Bumpass.  Well, Sparta is insisting that I throw her buoy at roughly 5-minute intervals but the four and a half minutes in between are quite peaceful.  Sitting here I am reminded clearly of that mid-May Day, typing my last “dock-newsletter”.  The temperature is perfect; the lake a sheet of glass.  Though last time, the sun was feeling stronger every day, the days were getting longer and summer held endless promise.  Now, the leaves are changing, different animals fill the woods with sound and the Bum Pass Water Ski Club has closed for winter.

Though one can easily become melancholy at the thought of another summer gone, I feel a strong autumnal optimism.  As the trees drop leaves, Fall reminds me that life has its seasons too.  Chasing the sun the last three years (and obsessing rather compulsively about skiing), I may have forgotten a few of life’s other simple pleasures.  The change in seasons reminds me of the inevitability of life’s changes. Though, only through constant awareness of life’s changing nature can one hope to make choices that manifest positive changes – a bit ironic, don’t ya think? As tonight’s crisp air is the yin to the yang of that promising mid-May day on the dock, I am entering the broader yin to the obsessive yang of the last few years.  My hope is that this balancing improves all parts of my life and thus, the lives of those I meet, know and love.

So much has happened since my last newsletter, I won’t dare try to cover the half of it.  In 3 weeks ago, Clarence Swift and Brett Brandeau were just showing up for a man-ski-trip, as were Jeff McKeel and Scott Miller. The man-ski-trips were a wonderful way to end the season (yes ending with the Streater’s would have been killer too but I can’t complain since the last day of ski school was the ONLY RAINED OUT DAY OF THE SUMMER!).  I left the farm that rainy day for a tournament at Little Mountain in NC but only made it as far as my cousin, Bethy’s, couch at Wake Forrest.  I got to watch Nate Smith run 41 off (again), Jeff Rogers break the national record (again) and I was happy just to get into 41 off (again).  From Little Mountain, my new friend, Nick Purcell (pro skier from Australia), and I took off for Bud Lake in Columbia SC, where we conducted secret experiments with areal videography, with Mr. Bud Davis (low country ski guru) and had a blast doing it.  As I dropped Nick off at Trophy Lakes to start my Charleston vacation, I had a new friend and new knowledge that I would only be spending November and December of this “offseason” in Acapulco.  I spent the next three days in the company of two of my best friends, Sammy and Teddy, who were also roommates of mine in Clemson.  The highlight of this trio’s reunion was most definitely a night of shrimpin’  in Charleston Harbor.  Then it was off to USA Water Ski Headquarters for Eastern Collegiate Regionals, with a quick stop at the airport to snag another great Clemson friend, Jessica.  I was pleased to find Paul happy, healthy and tearing it up for Alabama.  I was shocked by how old I felt hanging out with a large group of college kids!  As I turned 26, I hopped off “the wagon” and entered a new age.

26 has been treating me well.  I got to spend my actual birthday by meeting my baby godson, Brady, who grabbed onto a very special place in my heart.  Alex, Brady’s dad, and I have been close friends since childhood and it was great to see him as well.  When the Redskins won that day to become #1 in the NFC East, my life almost felt complete!

My road trip home was uneventful and reflective, while on the road.  It did involve a stop back through Charleston for a night on the town with Sammy and Teddy, leading to me sleeping in my car (Hey, 26 isn’t that old!).  Teddy’s wildness carried over to the next day, as he took his first ever jump set at Trophy Lakes before I had to jet out of town.  I made it to Bumpass in time to grab some clean clothes and a night of sleep in my own bed, before continuing to DC for Mike’s Bachelor Party (that’s my mom’s fiancé and yes they are deeply in love and if the last five years are any indication, they have a lifetime of happiness ahead of them).  Though the party left me a little slow yesterday, I rebounded today and started my day quite fast.  I participated in my first Sprint Triathlon.  The event was great, surprisingly fun and addictive.  Even more surprisingly, I won my division! Great, another expensive, big-kid sport!  My cousin, Jenna Weaver (who convinced me to tri) also won her division!  I enjoyed lunch and this beautiful day at Bear Lake, before finally making tracks home. What a long, strange trip it’s been…

Now home, these great adventures, places and friends become memories, as they need to, to usher in new experiences as we all race forward in time with no brakes.  With so much to absorb, I was hoping for some affirmation that at least I’m speeding along the right path, before accepting the euphoria of the ride.  As I walked down to the dock to begin this newsletter (actually, it was supposed to be my toast for the wedding, but I got sidetracked here – sorry Min -manana), I spotted a rainbow in the Bumpass sky, inviting me to affirm that moment in time and in doing so, every moment that brought me there.

I had a wonderful summer.  Did all of Spring’s potential play out as I had hoped or expected. Heck no! Though, can I really say I was wise enough to know the optimal route for my reality to unfold? Now that summer’s chapter has been written, we are all left the opportunity to start new chapters and tweak the plot-line based on the failures and successes, highs and lows and the learnings of summer in our never-ending quest to write a happy, satisfying and authentic story for ourselves.

I hope everyone enjoyed summer. I know that I enjoyed my time with many people on this email list.  I hope some of you will share in my autumnal optimism, as I know from past years that this can be a disappointing time of year.  If we accept the premise that “Life is Good,” the changing of the seasons and changing nature of life must be good too.  For this is the only way we could believe that our tomorrows can be better than our yesterdays and todays.

See you all in the future. Let’s make it a great one!

Peace, Love & Waterskiing,

Corey

P.S. This newsletter’s song selection is “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland.  Yes, I know everyone has heard this one but how long has it been?

P.P.S. Maddie Miller turned 15 on Oct.1  (the day before my birthday).  Paul and I sung her the most-lovely duet she had ever heard.  Taylor has given up high school and taken up woodworking.

P.P.P.S. Tomorrow will make two weeks since I have touched my ski – my longest break in well over two years.  Also, the first time all four pair of board shorts I own have ever been clean at the same time.

As I did once, to kick off the summer, I am enjoying writing this newsletter from the tranquility of the dock, here in Bumpass.  Well, Sparta is insisting that I throw her buoy at roughly 5-minute intervals but the four and a half minutes in between are quite peaceful.  Sitting here I am reminded clearly of that mid-May Day, typing my last “dock-newsletter”.  The temperature is perfect; the lake a sheet of glass.  Though last time, the sun was feeling stronger every day, the days were getting longer and summer held endless promise.  Now, the leaves are changing, different animals fill the woods with sound and the Bum Pass Water Ski Club has closed for winter.

Though one can easily become melancholy at the thought of another summer gone, I feel a strong autumnal optimism.  As the trees drop leaves, Fall reminds me that life has its seasons too.  Chasing the sun the last three years (and obsessing rather compulsively about skiing), I may have forgotten a few of life’s other simple pleasures.  The change in seasons reminds me of the inevitability of life’s changes. Though, only through constant awareness of life’s changing nature can one hope to make choices that manifest positive changes – a bit ironic, don’t ya think? As tonight’s crisp air is the yin to the yang of that promising mid-May day on the dock, I am entering the broader yin to the obsessive yang of the last few years.  My hope is that this balancing improves all parts of my life and thus, the lives of those I meet, know and love.

So much has happened since my last newsletter, I won’t dare try to cover the half of it.  In 3 weeks ago, Clarence Swift and Brett Brandeau were just showing up for a man-ski-trip, as were Jeff McKeel and Scott Miller. The man-ski-trips were a wonderful way to end the season (yes ending with the Streater’s would have been killer too but I can’t complain since the last day of ski school was the ONLY RAINED OUT DAY OF THE SUMMER!).  I left the farm that rainy day for a tournament at Little Mountain in NC but only made it as far as my cousin, Bethy’s, couch at Wake Forrest.  I got to watch Nate Smith run 41 off (again), Jeff Rogers break the national record (again) and I was happy just to get into 41 off (again).  From Little Mountain, my new friend, Nick Purcell (pro skier from Australia), and I took off for Bud Lake in Columbia SC, where we conducted secret experiments with areal videography, with Mr. Bud Davis (low country ski guru) and had a blast doing it.  As I dropped Nick off at Trophy Lakes to start my Charleston vacation, I had a new friend and new knowledge that I would only be spending November and December of this “offseason” in Acapulco.  I spent the next three days in the company of two of my best friends, Sammy and Teddy, who were also roommates of mine in Clemson.  The highlight of this trio’s reunion was most definitely a night of shrimpin’  in Charleston Harbor.  Then it was off to USA Water Ski Headquarters for Eastern Collegiate Regionals, with a quick stop at the airport to snag another great Clemson friend, Jessica.  I was pleased to find Paul happy, healthy and tearing it up for Alabama.  I was shocked by how old I felt hanging out with a large group of college kids!  As I turned 26, I hopped off “the wagon” and entered a new age.

26 has been treating me well.  I got to spend my actual birthday by meeting my baby godson, Brady, who grabbed onto a very special place in my heart.  Alex, Brady’s dad, and I have been close friends since childhood and it was great to see him as well.  When the Redskins won that day to become #1 in the NFC East, my life almost felt complete!

My road trip home was uneventful and reflective, while on the road.  It did involve a stop back through Charleston for a night on the town with Sammy and Teddy, leading to me sleeping in my car (Hey, 26 isn’t that old!).  Teddy’s wildness carried over to the next day, as he took his first ever jump set at Trophy Lakes before I had to jet out of town.  I made it to Bumpass in time to grab some clean clothes and a night of sleep in my own bed, before continuing to DC for Mike’s Bachelor Party (that’s my mom’s fiancé and yes they are deeply in love and if the last five years are any indication, they have a lifetime of happiness ahead of them).  Though the party left me a little slow yesterday, I rebounded today and started my day quite fast.  I participated in my first Sprint Triathlon.  The event was great, surprisingly fun and addictive.  Even more surprisingly, I won my division! Great, another expensive, big-kid sport!  My cousin, Jenna Weaver (who convinced me to tri) also won her division!  I enjoyed lunch and this beautiful day at Bear Lake, before finally making tracks home. What a long, strange trip it’s been…

Now home, these great adventures, places and friends become memories, as they need to, to usher in new experiences as we all race forward in time with no brakes.  With so much to absorb, I was hoping for some affirmation that at least I’m speeding along the right path, before accepting the euphoria of the ride.  As I walked down to the dock to begin this newsletter (actually, it was supposed to be my toast for the wedding, but I got sidetracked here – sorry Min -manana), I spotted a rainbow in the Bumpass sky, inviting me to affirm that moment in time and in doing so, every moment that brought me there.

I had a wonderful summer.  Did all of Spring’s potential play out as I had hoped or expected. Heck no! Though, can I really say I was wise enough to know the optimal route for my reality to unfold? Now that summer’s chapter has been written, we are all left the opportunity to start new chapters and tweak the plot-line based on the failures and successes, highs and lows and the learnings of summer in our never-ending quest to write a happy, satisfying and authentic story for ourselves.

I hope everyone enjoyed summer. I know that I enjoyed my time with many people on this email list.  I hope some of you will share in my autumnal optimism, as I know from past years that this can be a disappointing time of year.  If we accept the premise that “Life is Good,” the changing of the seasons and changing nature of life must be good too.  For this is the only way we could believe that our tomorrows can be better than our yesterdays and todays.

See you all in the future. Let’s make it a great one!

Peace, Love & Waterskiing,

Corey

P.S. This newsletter’s song selection is “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland.  Yes, I know everyone has heard this one but how long has it been?

P.P.S. Maddie Miller turned 15 on Oct.1  (the day before my birthday).  Paul and I sung her the most-lovely duet she had ever heard.  Taylor has given up high school and taken up woodworking.

P.P.P.S. Tomorrow will make two weeks since I have touched my ski – my longest break in well over two years.  Also, the first time all four pair of board shorts I own have ever been clean at the same time.

After a long yet uneventful travel day yesterday, I woke up refreshed
and ready to greet this beautiful day.  I tried to take a picture with
my computer’s camera to share with all of you what I am looking at
while I type this newsletter.  Unfortunately, the macbook, in all of
its brilliance, is not able to capture the majesty of Shortline Lake
this morning.  I included the picture anyway, just for a rough idea…

Though this picture doesn’t do the scenery justice, it is only one
part of why I love coming out here to California anyway. Yes, skiing
on this lake is even more luscious than the picture would have you
imagine and the weather is off the charts wonderful.  I am sitting in
the shade right now under a clear blue sky with a temperature of about
77 degrees.  It is supposed to reach 99 degrees today but without the
humidity I am accustomed to, 99 feels great and makes the 80 (or so)
degree water feel perfect.  These conditions can get any skiers heart
pumping but as marvelous as they are, they wouldn’t be any fun if not
for great folks to share them with.  I have been beyond fortunate to
make some really close friends out here in California and if it
weren’t for them, I could care less about traveling across the country
to ski (albeit on one of the nicest sites in the country).

On that note, I would just like to thank a few of the kind folks who
made this trip possible for me.  Again, Mike and Corey Davis, my
dearest Acapulco Amigos sponsored my air travel across the country and
I literally couldn’t have gotten here without them.  Then the Goldman
family, who were co-guest coaches during my first trip to Acapulco,
has opened their home to me.  Without their hospitality, I would never
be able to stay out here for so long and get in such great practice
(yes, they are sharing their ski time with me too)! I’ll also be
crashing with my good buddies Tom and Amy Meecham during the latter
portion of this trip.  They convinced me to take a couple of vacation
days and actually relax in California and think of doing something
other than skiing – imagine that!  Then there was Brian Detrick who
picked me up at the airport and Will Bush who gave me a ski ride upon
arriving.  Will also suggested I use the BCC feature on these
emails… Hmm, why didn’t I think of that… DUH!  Oh, and let’s not
forget Mom getting up at 4:44am to take me to the airport – we are SO
not morning people.

Anyway, thank you everybody for making this trip possible.  I have
found that these trips to California are a truly special part of my
summer now.  Stepping out of day to day life and going completely
across the country creates the time and the context to reflect over
the summer days/weeks/months that whiz by at speeds far faster than
the mind (at least mine anyway) can deeply absorb.  I hope with Labor
Day Weekend kicking off at the close of business today that everyone
has a fun weekend planned. I hope plenty of relaxing and reflection
time find there way into the three-day holiday.  If I could be two
places at once, I would definitely wish to also be in Bumpass, making
sure everyone that wanted to had the chance to ski, instead of “labor
day shopping” – PUH-LEEEAAZE!

Well, I’d better stop “Zen-ing out” and go see if I can make myself
useful around here.  I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday
weekend.  Have your cake and eat it too;  Be with the ones you love
AND love the ones you’re with!

Tu Amigo,
Corey

P.S. The email address that everyone does see on this newsletter is
Paul’s.  Paul is off at Alabama (most likely skiing and trying to
figure out ways to stay in college permanently), feel free to send him
encouragement, words of wisdom or just bother him in general!

P.P.S. Those of you who know your classic rock, probably saw this one
coming given the subject line but this Newsletter’s song selection is
(of course) “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin.  I had many songs
floating through my head but this one seemed far too appropriate.

P.P.P.S. “The Adventures of Buoy Wonder” can now be found on
peaceloveandwaterskiing.com as well, as youTube just so you’ll always
know how to pull it up if you need a laugh, a cry and a shake of the
head all in 7.5 minutes.  Look in the photo gallery.

P.P.P.P.S.  Slappy and Crappy are back in school, along with so many
of my other young ski friends.  School restarting is sort of the
ultimate reality that Summer is becoming Fall – oh so melancholy. Best
wishes to all of those taking on a new quarter/semester.  Use your
current fresh start to your advantage and stay on top of the game!

I have great news! After much anticipation, “The Adventures of Buoy
Wonder” has been released!  Now don’t everyone rush to youTube all at
once and cause the site to freeze.  The whole world will be wanting to
watch this blockbuster event and everyone must learn to take turns!
As hinted to in the trailer, Granddad has all of the best lines and
steals the show – (be sure to watch the end credits for some of the
best parts).  He is pretty pumped about his new career as a movie
star.  I don’t think he’s quite come down from his high yet because he
has been walking a little taller and better since seeing himself on
the silver screen.  Here’s the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_NxKGeTU_g  I hope you enjoy this
nonsense!

This past week in Bumpass was a great one.  We had an earthquake
(possibly caused by Carol Ann Keenan ripping the best set of her
season).  I was in the boat and nearly bailed over the side, as I
thought my new boat was blowing up!  As I prepared to jump out, I
froze in disbelief of the thought that my brand new boat could be
exploding.  Then I heard the large group of skiers on the dock making
commotion and somebody yelled earthquake.  After the rumbling
subsided, we went on skiing and it’s a good thing we did because I’m
pretty sure we had a record number of PB’s in this last week.  I
should have started writing a list as the PB’s started falling.  I
think the combination of the sweet water of Bumpass hitting the
perfect temperature and the incredible pull from the new Centurion
Carbon Pro, crossed with everybody being in the best ski shape of the
year is producing these killer results.  Well, these factors and the
fact that many of these skiers have been hard at work all summer to
improve their skills and technique.

If you would like to come for some great late summer/early fall
training, remember that time is running out (AHHHH THIS IS MAKING ME
SAD).  I’ll be open and available tomorrow and Tuesday this week and
then it’s off to California.  I’m planning on reopening on Friday the
16th of September and will be open for exactly one week.  I will take
a few Friday morning ski-buddies on Sept 23 and that will be the last
official day of operation here at the Bum Pass Water Ski Club.  WOW!
Reserve your time with me now for any of these remaining dates.

After meeting my aunt and uncle, Eleanor and Kevin, for an early
dinner and to hook Granddad up with his ride home, I returned to the
farm.  Sparta (my wonder-dog) was waiting for me down at the dock so
we did some fishing and I took in the beauty of the lake and the
entirety of the scenery.  When I’m flying up and down the lake skiing
or coaching, it is not convenient to allow the beauty of this place
take my breath away but while fishing tonight, it was unavoidable!  As
I reflected on the fact that summer is winding down, I remembered to
be thankful for the many great people that I got to have in my life
this summer and share these amazing surroundings with.  Some people I
met for a short time and others whom I already knew, I came to know
better.  I am reminded that water skiing is truly a one of a kind
sport and a unique privilege, especially when done at a place like
this,  I’m going to aim to keep this perspective through all of my
upcoming ski time, whenever and wherever it may be.  I’ve driven
myself hard this summer, chased a lot of buoys and enjoyed the
challenge.  However, we must all remember how fortunate we are to even
have the chance to engage in the world’s coolest sport (even when the
buoys aren’t coming as we would hope).  Life is good. Water skiing is
great.  Thus, the ski-life must be the best!  Let’s go live it and
love it.

P to the L to the W,

Corey Vaughn

P.S. I have another video recommendation. Check out The Sac Town Gold
Rush video on BallOfSpray.com.  Thanks to Colin Gibbs for doing a
killer job with the filming and editing!

P.P.S. I want to name so many songs as this week’s pick but I’m going
to settle on “Throwing Stones” by The Grateful Dead.  This is my
favorite Dead song and The Dead is one of my favorite bands.  Talk
about a song that has “IT” – this one can give me goosebumps on
repeat.

P.P.P.S.  I think Taylor and Maddie Miller have been swallowed by a
whale (like Gippetto).

I can’t believe it is here. This is the last week of August. The yearly cycle that has been firmly conditioned into my mind from 18 years of school scheduling tells me that the end is near.  This is both true and false.  There are plenty of great ski days left in Virginia.  Their finite nature, however, is becoming more evident and the summer’s vibe is definitely changing at this point.  Paul has (as of yesterday) moved into the University of Alabama, Ellie Whitlock is spending more time on the tennis court than the lake and I am trying to rebuild my fitness after the long and hectic mid-summer push.  Though time is limited, this late summer/early fall time period has always been my favorite time of the year to ski.  The pressure of all of the big tournaments ahead is off and it is the time to just go out and enjoy skiing, work on improving and try new stuff.

Now that nationals are over, it is a NEW season.  I’ve been pleased that in this new season, I’ve already met some new skiers and it looks like I’ll be meeting several more new skiers this week!  I’ve also had some old friends make their first ever trip to Bumpass to check the scene out.  It is definitely a great time to come for a visit.  As well as the new people, I have a bunch of other new stuff for anybody and everybody to check out.  I’ve got the best ropes and handles in skiing from US Gear for demo.  I’ve got a 65” and 66” D3 X7 ready for somebody to jump on them.  As always, I’ve got fresh ideas about how to take YOUR skills to the next level.  Possibly, most excitingly,  I’ve got the first 2012 Centurion Carbon Pro ready to pull you and blow your mind!

Paralleling my desire to get everybody on the water to enjoy the best skiing in the world is my desire to enjoy time with some of my great friends.  Of course, I won’t be returning to school this year but I have booked my ticket to Acapulco and will be leaving the country on November 2.   With 6.5 months non-stop skiing beginning on that date, I have decided to dedicate the month of October to all other things in life.  Mainly, I am hoping to spend a lot of time with my family and closest friends. My mom and her fiancé Mike will be getting married on October 15. I am honored to be “the Maid of Honor” (yes, my family doesn’t always play by the rules).  I am also planning a trip to visit my infant Godson, Brady Thomas Drake in Florida.  Aside from these two major events, I’m hoping to reconnect with many other things that I have shifted onto the back burner during the last 2 years, as I’ve been on this massive ski binge.  So PLEASE come be a part of the binge and let’s ski it up together as much as possible this week and the week I return from my 2 week trip to California.  I’ll be gone from September 1-14, leaving THIS WEEK and just over a week in late September to come ski in Bumpass AND THAT’S IT!  Don’t delay, if you want to get a set or two with me in Bumpass before the season ends, contact me NOW and let’s set that up!

After a great, but much too short, weekend at Lake Gaston, with my family, only Granddad and I remain.  We decided to stay tonight at the place where we shared every summer of my life from 1985-2007.  We love this spot where we have shared so many good times and where my passion for water skiing was born and grew.  We will leave here early tomorrow morning for Bumpass.  Granddad will be staying with me for the week at the place where my passion for skiing found new roots and continued to thrive.  We are planning on a great week and we hope to see you there!

Peace, Love & Waterskiing,

COREY

Did I mention in my last letter that I am proud to be an Eastern Region skier? Let me say that that pride was reaffirmed, validated and upgraded during the 2011 Eastern Regional Championships.  This year’s Regionals at Vosburgh’s Pangaea Puddle was a screaming success and has left me with tremendous anticipation of next year’s event.  For those of you who were on the fence and decided not to ski in the Regional’s this year, let me share a bit about my experience so you don’t miss out on all of the fun next year.

To my understanding, this year’s event was the culmination of 16 years of planning, vision and commitment by George Vosburgh.  Since breaking ground in Canajoharie, NY 16 years ago, with dreams of hosting an Eastern Region Championship,  George Vosburgh has created one of the most (if not the most) beautiful, ski sites I have ever seen or visited.  The gorgeous and breathtaking scenery, however, is not the feature that made this site or this tournament so perfect.  Instead, it was the planning that went into this site and how it would be laid out and the type of event this setting made possible that made Pangaea great.

The site is just slightly past the middle of nowhere.  As such, it is more like a small kingdom than a family property.  Indeed, it has the feeling of being its own super-continent (Pangaea).   The minute I arrived on the sprawling site, my decision to make this a camping trip was strongly affirmed.  I’m guessing that many others, who made their first trip to Pangaea and decided to reserve the nearest hotel room (40 minutes away), were disappointed with their decision; not because of the commute but because of the truly perfect camping venue.  The weather could not have been more perfect, with daytime temperatures in the 90s making the 82-degree water feel great, and nighttime lows in the 60s, making sleeping bags just right.   It was clear that this site was sculpted from the beginning to accommodate skiing and camping together and I don’t think it could have been done any better.

Thus the layout, itself, offered a special invitation.  This ski site was meant to bring people together, not just to ski and compete and have fun on the water, but to live together, cooperate and forge new friendships.  The layout of some ski tournaments is such that it makes sense to stay in a nearby hotel, ski your event (5 minutes of excitement) and then go home.  Pangaea is the opposite.  This venue invites guests to have fun skiing and hopefully do all three events because the true purpose of the event isn’t the 5 minutes on the water but the 5 days surrounding those 5 minutes.  Yes, this tournament saw PB’s as well as disappointing performances, just as all tournaments do.  Pangaea, however, still had so much to offer beyond winning or losing on the water that everybody had the chance to win by having a great time.  This vibe and this approach to tournaments is EXACTLY the sort of thing we need more of in our water skiing world.  If our beloved sport is going to survive (yes just pure survival, which is a subject I plan to address more and more throughout the coming year) or even THRIVE, it will be because of efforts like this year’s Eastern Regionals at Pangaea.

That being said, I think next year’s event is even going to be even better.  Even after all of the work and the 16 years of committing to a vision, the only sort of question George Vosburgh asked was “what can we do to make this better yet?”  He never asked: How can this be less work? How can this be done cheaper? Do I have to take this on again?  I have gone to every Eastern Regionals since 1994 (except one) and I firmly believe that as long as the 2012 Regionals are at Pangaea Puddle, it will be the best Regional Tournament in the 18 years I have been doing this.

I’d like to give one huge THANK YOU to the Vosburgh Family and a tip of the cap to George’s undying vision.  I would also like to thank all of the officials, volunteers, workers, skiers, fans, family supporters and friends who made this event what it was.  If we can keep this up, I am encouraged that water skiing has a bright future and, like Rock and Roll, will NEVER DIE!

So after my 5 days and 4 nights of camping and Pangaea, I packed up and slid off to a very good friend’s cabin in Eaton, NY.  Mike Marra is probably the most dedicated professional water ski fan I know. Now, he is not like Granddad, who is my biggest supporter and fan and travels everywhere with me (including arriving here in Milwaukee tomorrow morning!).  Granddad is a huge fan but let’s face it, his Grandson is one of the Athletes.  Other “hardcore” ski fans are generally families and friends of skiers.  Mike is a new friend and was a pro skiing fan when I met him.  He truly enjoys following the scores and trying to catch live feeds and tweets from all of the events.  He is a fan of pro water skiing like I am a fan of the Washington Redskins (who may end up having a chance in this chaotic NFL but that’s another story).  Mike is also a super cool guy who opened up his cabin to me for some much, much needed R&R between Regionals and the upcoming Malibu Open.  Mike’s daughter, Rachel, has caught the bug too and has become quite the fan.  They both came to the Malibu Open as spectators last year, which is where Rachel discovered that Nate Smith is “adorable” and that pretty much all of the pro athletes are just really good people.  These guys encourage me that if we market ourselves properly, there is a captive audience that we could tap.  I mean, there must be a way we can make a ski tournament more entertaining than the “World Series of Poker”.  Thanks for the hospitality guys, you sent me off right!

So I left the Marra’s place near Syracuse, NY yesterday at 1:30pm and drove 14 hours straight to Wisconsin.  I am now in my room at the Milwaukee Hilton resting, connecting with my best ski friends from all over the world and sharpening my focus for this weekend’s event.  The Malibu Open takes place on Friday and Saturday and will be webcast live.  If you want to follow the action and be a fan, yourself, check out theproskitour.com for the schedule of events and link to the webcast.  If you can’t get to your computer on Friday or Saturday (because maybe you are out skiing, too) but you find yourself remembering that the event is taking place, send me some positive vibes. With all of the best skiers in the world gathering for this huge event (possibly the biggest in water ski history?), I don’t mind asking for any additional help I can get.

From Milwaukee, Granddad and I will continue on to Jolliet, Illinois for the Nationals, before making the drive back to Bumpass.  I don’t want to get too far ahead though.  For now, I’m going to do some Yoga and get my head in the game for Friday and Saturday.

For those of you who are not living on the road and are looking to rip the waters of Bumpass and/or get a lesson, Paul will be available this Sunday and Monday (August 7 and 8).  You can email me to set up a time or better yet, just call Paul at (757) 746-9932.

All the Best and Adios Amigos,

Chumbucket

P.S. Maddie Miller told Taylor and I the most horrifying ghost story ever.  If I don’t win the Malibu and/or Nationals it will be due to sleep loss from the nightmares created by this story.

P.P.S. This newsletter’s song selection is “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” by Crosby, Stills and Nash.  Most of you already know that this is one of the greatest songs ever recorded but for the kids and those who don’t know about this one, GO GET IT!

I am currently 35,000 feet above the Earth and peering down and seemingly endless snow capped mountain ranges.  Given that temperatures broke 100 degrees the past two days at the Sac Town Gold Rush tournament, seeing snow is truly trippy.  Being homeward bound is a warm and comforting feeling, which is especially helpful, as the temperature in this airplane parallels the scenery below.  Moreover, I’m returning renewed.  I cannot decide if I’ve picked up some meaningful, internal souvenir or simply shed some figurative, excess baggage along this trip.  In either case, I’ll be returning to Bumpass with refreshed clarity, focus and outlook.

This rejuvenation is right on time, as tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday are completely booked! Sweet!  Also, my good friend Shawn Shoresky will be coming all the way from Canada to stay and ski with Paul and I for a week, beginning tomorrow.  I met Shawn last year at the Diablo Shores Pro Am and aside from being great company; his influence was central in my decision to give up drinking alcohol this year, which has been a purely positive change.  I find it amazing how the need for change can, at times, be so clear and even glaring to others, yet invisible to he who needs it.  During my last trip to California, I made the decision to quit drinking.  This California getaway has also allowed me to remove certain blinders that I’ve been wearing and recognize the necessity for more positive change.

Before getting to ski in the “Sac Town Gold Rush” this trip to Cali was already worth it’s weight in gold.  Flying out struck me as my first real opportunity to enjoy some quiet time and reflect on the long and busy season in Acapulco, as well as the quick transition to reopening the Peace, Love & Waterskiing Training Center for the summer of 2011.  With such a broad time period to reflect upon, the details moved to the background and the patterns begun to emerge.  I realized, fairly quickly, that in pursuit of my ski dreams and with the full blast coaching schedule I’ve been keeping for over a year now that I have been living life unsettled.  I have been in hectic scrapping mode rather than calm, calculated and planned mode.  A fitting analogy may be my skiing style vs. say, Nate Smith – scrappy vs. clean – reactive vs. prepared.  Digging deeper, I found that this unsettled nature in my life comes more from the imbalance I’ve slipped into than the sheer volume of work or intensity with which I am pursuing my goals.  Thus, I have decided that I am in need of some restructuring and reprioritizing.

A wise friend recently told me that he keeps a sign on his desk, reading “Start Anywhere.”  I certainly have not mapped out a grand harmonizing strategy but know a few areas that can use some immediate attention.  My first priority in the rebalancing act is a commitment to friends and family.  In my private ski-quest and as a first-time business owner, I have let those closest to me take a back seat, despite their unwavering support.  I suppose I remained blind to this reality, because I didn’t want it to be true.

Along with strengthening the most important bonds in my life, I’ve come to realize that I need just a little more time to connect with myself – the idea here being to avoid such imbalance in the future and to preserve harmony and happiness without compromise.  I feel that I’ve been sprinting through my life, the vitality of which, I find preferable to loping, crawling or even strolling.  However, sprints are unsustainable.  They are meant to be limited and narrow in focus.  When one sprints it is impossible to take in and enjoy all of the surroundings and the oxygen pouring into and out of the body.  I’m thinking that living at a jogging pace is much more sustainable and would also be inclined toward “stopping to smell the roses.”

I remember my exuberance starting this humble water ski haven.  I didn’t write a mission statement because the mission seemed self evident – to grow Peace, Love & Waterskiing (as stated on last summer’s T-Shirt).  I was stoked to be my own boss and to go to work in my favorite attire, flip flops (or not) shorts, T-shirt and backwards hat.  Charging full speed ahead just seemed to make sense.  A year later, I am seeing that sustainability is the greater part of passion.  So I’m aiming to re-strike that mark where I can hardly tell work from play, which will require that there are designated times for work and separate time for just play.  In essence, I’ve caught my breath and decided to take up jogging (with the occasional sprint, as well as the occasional stroll or even pause).

In the interest of “starting anywhere,” I’ve decided that beginning on the 4^th of July (when I will be spending some wonderful family time at Lake Gaston, where I took my first ever ski ride), I will be taking Monday’s off and the Bum Pass Water Ski Club will have a day of rest. I debated it with the CEO, President and Founder of the BPWSC and it just seemed to be perfect.  I also plan to introduce some time frames for the other days of the week and my right hand man, Paul, is going to help me get a calendar on the website to show available dates and times, and possibly even begin an online booking process.  I aim to remain fully committed to growing the sport and getting every eager skier the chance to slash the awesome waters of Bumpass.  My objective is to do this in a far more efficient and streamlined manner, contributing to the quality of the entire training center experience.  I’ll keep everyone abreast of these revamping efforts as they take place. With this new strategy in place, I feel that the culture of “Peace, Love & Waterskiing” is set to grow stronger and thus ripple out more profoundly.  Be sure your ripple is felt!

Okay, finally, some news about the tournament….

1)   A HUGE thank you to the tournament organizers and sponsors (Krista Rogers, Steve Garcia,  Dr. Mike Morgan, the Militia Clothing guys, Girls That Fly, Centurion and HO) and to the officials and tournament volunteers.  A lot of people worked really hard at quite thankless jobs to make this awesome event possible and I hope they know how much it means to someone in my position.

2)   A major thank you to the Goldman family, who were kind enough (or crazy enough) to put me up AGAIN!  Their warm hospitality and their cool air conditioning made my enjoyment and success this weekend possible.

3)   Shortline Lake is just plain awesome. I can’t imagine a nicer lake to ski on. Will Bush designed this place to a T.  The new Centurion Carbon Pro boat pulled all of the slalom skiing and I was highly impressed.

4)   The men’s slalom event was one of the most exciting I’ve seen or participated in yet.  Nate Smith lit it up (and won) running 41 off twice, leaving a sizeable gap between himself and the rest of us.  Chris Parrish finished second and had an impressive 4@41 off, as his high score. T-Gas took third also seing 4@41 in round one.  John Travers took 4^th, running into 41 all three rounds, with a high of 2.5.  Jason McClintock edged me out of 5^th place by ½ a buoy.  His 2 @41 topped my 1.5 (lesson learned – stand up when you won’t make it to 3), leaving yours truly in 6^th.  5^th definitely sounds way cooler but I am pleased with my skiing and finish. This is my highest finish in a pro event and the first time I’ve taken home any $$$! I guess now I can really say that I’m a pro skier – ha ha.  This tournament was a great tune up and a perfect way to start the season. I feel all the more prepared to reach for the top 5 in the coming tournaments this season.

5)   Women’s slalom was a fierce battle.  Whitney McClintock held her ground and took the title, holding world record holder Regina Jaquess and former world record holder Karina Knowlan off with some impressively strong skiing.

6)   The women’s jump podium was an all-international crowd.  Natalia Berdnikava stood atop, England’s Jacinta Carrol and Denmark’s Maj Jepsen.

7)   In the Men’s jump Ryan Dodd (3^rd) and Zack Worden (2^nd) tried to outdo the NIGHTMARE but by the third round, Freddy Krueger had already solidified his victory to remain king of the air.  For an athlete who has dominated Jump, like Andy Mapple did slalom, Freddy, like Andy, is as humble as they come.  Freddy is also a great ambassador for the sport of waterskiing and was also among the pivotal people who made this tournament happen.

Finally, new T-Shirts will be arriving this weekend! I’ve also got baseball hats on the way and later in the summer should be getting some other fun goodies like water bottles, coffee mugs, floating key chains, stickers, etc.  If you won’t be coming to Bumpass this summer but would like this years Peace, Love & Waterskiing T-Shirt, I’ll be happy to ship them out.  If you’d like to see them first, I’ll work on getting a picture in an upcoming newsletter and/or on my website.

Thank you, great friends, for being a part of my journey, which is continuing to lead me to new and great places. Also, if you’ve read this far, you may have gotten a little more acquainted with me than you intended and may be emailing me to have your email address removed from my list.  However, this list has primarily grown through personal connections and encounters and I consider you all dear friends. As such, I guess I’m now saying, thanks for being there.

Su Amigo,
Corey

P.S. I won’t mention Slappy or Crappy in this email.