Jacy Zollar, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Photo by Bradley Keuschel Members of the Shawano Ski Sharks were involved in the effort to break the world record for barefoot skiers behind a single boat Sunday on the Wolf River.
The Ski Sharks hosted a tournament in Shawano for the first time last weekend, then helped go after a world record on Sunday.
The tourney was a fundraiser for the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation and the Scott Coley Memorial.
The event brought in 75 skiers. With Ski Sharks mixed throughout, three teams were formed.
Event coordinator Bradley Keuschel said the teams were formed at random and had never skied together before, which added a unique element to the tournament. The teams were all given 30 minutes to put together a show, which they performed for one hour.
Winners were chosen based on donations made to each team. Brad’s Slackers placed first. The team included five Ski Sharks: Keuschel, Faith Passehl, Hannah Strachan, Sandor Anday and Jack Strachan.
“We want to thank the water ski federation for choosing us to host this tournament, as well as the city of Shawano for allowing us the use of the park and waterways for the day to hold this event,” Keuschel said.
On Sunday, the Ski Sharks helped with an attempt to break the Guinness World Records mark of 30 barefoot water-skiers behind a single boat.
Barefooters came from all around the Midwest, and as far as Florida, for the record attempt on the Wolf River. Ski Sharks who participated were Andrew Puissant, Alex Tessar, Keuschel and Mick Siolka.
Participants began setting up for the event at 3:30 a.m. After two unsuccessful attempts with 35 skiers, the team successfully topped the national and Guinness record with 33 people.
The attempt still needs official approval, but the barefooters are confident that the record will be theirs.