Towing the line: Enthusiasts of all types feel water skiing's pull By PAUL IVICE WEST PALM BEACH — There are no trophies, prize money or applause, but Lake Worth's Becky Lathrop has plenty of pull during this week's water ski national championships at Okeeheelee Park. Lathrop, one of two boat drivers in the Big Dawg competition that begins Thursday, knows her driving ability ultimately could be the difference in first or second place for a participant this week. The Big Dawg coincides with the 67th Water Ski National Championships, which will use 10 other drivers and include more than 800 competitors.
"I treat every skier exactly the same, whether it's someone I know really well or a perfect stranger, so that they each get a consistent pull exactly the same," she said. The thrill for a driver comes when a record is set on the other end of the rope. "The best satisfaction for me is when a skier has their best performance, whether they win or not," she said. "I've been fortunate enough to pull some of the world-record holders, men and women, and as long as the skier gets the record, that's all that matters." Unlike golf caddies or jockeys, water ski drivers are paired with numerous drivers so no skier gets an extra edge. Most of the drivers in the national championships are current or former competitive skiers. Lathrop, 48, an insurance consultant who drives ski boats as a hobby, started driving when she went skiing with a friend while at Florida State University. After completing clinics and driving in tournaments, she earned her senior rating. Competitors in the national championships are split into 14 age groups, from 9 and under to 85 and over, as well as overall and masters categories. The oldest is trick skier Frances Woofenden, 84, of Wellington, and the youngest is 6-year-old Luke Hamilton of Bucyrus, Kan., whose seven older siblings are also competing. Lathrop, considered a top slalom driver, said keeping the boat straight is the toughest part of the job. The art of the slalom, she said, is to be able to feel the weight of the skier behind the boat, anticipating the weight effect and ever so slightly compensating for it as she steers. "The timing has to be precise," she said. Distances in slalom runs are 659 feet and her speed runs 34 mph - a speed that is now controlled by a computer with GPS guidance, allowing drivers to focus solely on steering. "(In the past), it was difficult to adjust and if we ended up with a slow speed, you have a do-over," Lathrop said. "If it was too fast, it was the skier's choice to stay with the result or do it over." The drivers still have to worry about keeping the boat in a precise lane. The tip of the boat cannot veer from a path of 15.75 inches. Assistant chief driver Gordon West, 55, said slalom driving isn't harder, but "it's scrutinized more because the rules are tighter and there's less margin for error." Lathrop participates in 15-20 tournaments in the summer and practices driving at Okeeheelee about five times a week. She also is an accomplished water skier in her own right and hopes to make nationals one year. But for skiers who can't qualify, driving is another way to get on the water. "It's not a way to make a living," West said. "It does cut your costs, but you still kind of got to love it." WHAT: 67th Goode Water Ski National Championships, with the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches as host for the 11th time. WHO: More than 800 of the top water ski athletes from across the U.S. will compete in age divisions and two open divisions for national titles in slalom, tricks, jumping and overall competition. WHEN: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, weather permitting. A special slalom competition is planned under the lights on Friday evening. WHERE: Okeeheelee Park, off Forest Hill Boulevard between Jog Road and Florida’s Turnpike. To go to the clubhouse and boat docks, make your first left. To go to the boat ramp, make your fourth left. ADMISSION: Free and open to the public. |
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