Excutive Director Report
Febuary 11, 2008

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1. When I arrived on November 5th of last year, the USA Water Ski Affinity Membership program (a potential new program) was an initiative highlighted as near and dear to the organization. It was felt that it would bring members in who were not high level competitors, but were supporters of water skiing and its disciplines and what USA Water Ski represents. Since that time, much conversation has taken place to define the reason for being a supporter (i.e. why should people have an affinity). During the conversations, we discovered there are other organizations that parallel USA Water Ski. One is the American Motorcycle Association (AMA). A number of years ago the AMA was facing a diminishing membership. At that time, its principal purpose was to provide event insurance to a dwindling number of bike rally event producers. Also taking place at that time was a continuing effort to restrict motorcycle use, create noise ordinances, develop mandatory helmet laws, and generally rein in motorcyclists. You may have opinions regarding motorcyclists (like maybe they should be reined in); however, the AMA recognized that this special use group needed representation. They added an advocacy component to their organization and became very effective in their efforts. They have now grown their membership to several hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists.

USA Water Ski already has an advocacy component, but we have not trumpeted its successes and failures. Highlighting both success and failure are important especially in an environment in which other users are trying to restrict use by our constituencies. Leon Larson and his Waterways and Education Committee along with the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) have produced documents including an extensive manual which describes successful defenses to be used in the event of challenges. Additionally, they have spent countless hours either in person or on the phone in consultations or actually attending public hearings defending the rights of water skiers and boarders to use public waterways.

USA Water Ski Waterways and Education Committee activity in 2007 included:

This is just a huge reason to be an Affinity Member. Protecting skiers/boarders rights to use public waterways is fundamental. Only USA Water Ski along with our IF and the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) are conducting this function.
Our Affinity Program is just getting off the ground and will require further planning and we need to apply proper funding. We hope to launch this program later in the year (as we do have a five figure donation from several of our members to underwrite the effort). Recognizing that passion for the sport is the key attractor, I welcome your thoughts on using the advocacy path as well and/or if you have other ideas associated with reasons for affinity that should be applied.

 2. Last week’s portion of my report delving into the preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) created a fair amount of response. There apparently are some divergent feelings on whether or not we should expend energy seeking Olympic inclusion, and continue being a member of the USOC. Hearing those concerns, I thought it would be worthwhile looking into (i) Olympic water skiing inclusion, and (ii) the benefits (or, lack thereof) of being a member of the USOC.
 Regarding Olympic inclusion, I found little if any USA Water Ski money has been invested in seeking inclusion. Money that has been invested from within USA Water Ski has come from the pockets of individual volunteer members who have spent their own money to lobby for the inclusion alongside the efforts of the IWSF. It is the IWSF’s responsibility to pursue Olympic inclusion and to make efforts to hurdle issues that limit acceptance.

A common opinion is that water skiing is automatically “on the outs” due to the use of a mechanical conveyance (boats). In looking over the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Programme Committee Report for the Beijing Olympic Games, an interesting reference to water skiing is made. As stated:

“In certain sports, such as water skiing, mechanical propulsion is used as a component of competition, and the mechanical propulsion is necessary to allow the athlete to perform in competition. However, the propulsion is not controlled by the athlete, nor does it constitute the performance itself through the result being determined by speed. In such cases, where the propulsion allows the athletes to perform the competition but is not an element of the competition itself, and it is provided in an equal way to all athletes, it could be considered as technical support for the competition, and included.”

This does not mean that the sport is to be included on the programme; it just recognizes that the mechanical propulsion is not a limiting factor for the sport’s potential inclusion as it is not considered an element of the competition.

A number of new sports were considered for the Beijing Olympic Games. There is now a basic IOC sidebar requirement of keeping the number of athletes competing in the 10,000 person range. The Athens Olympic Games had 10,500, and the Beijing Olympic Games are now speculated to be the same. This is historic for the Olympic Games as past history has always shown growth, and the IOC has now clamped down on the numbers due to venue costs and scheduling issues.

In the review of water skiing, the IOC Programme Committee lumped our sport in with a number of others in suggesting that none of the reviewed sports had more public presence than sports currently on the programme. I suppose that can be an argument for another day, but the plus side was that there seems to not be a technical reason for prohibition.

A number of members have expressed concerns revolving around our membership within the USOC. Some of the concern has to do with USOC compliance issues. A good example is the USOC requirement of 20 percent participation by elite athletes on governance boards within the organization. The USOC compliance theory is that governance can affect the livelihood of elite athletes and they should have a say in rule making, and other governance issues. Note that the participation is limited to 20 percent and is not a majority vote.

Another concern has been the USOC’s lack of funding for the past two years. I also do not understand the logic of the elimination of Pan American Games only sports NGBs’ funding, and I am looking into that reasoning now. However, I do think it is worthwhile to look into past funding and ongoing program offerings that are made available to USA Water Ski through its membership with the USOC. Our research finds:

USOC BENEFITS to USA WATER SKI:
AN OVERVIEW OF RECENT SERVICES & SUPPORT

 1. Direct Funding:
In addition to the other items on this list, USA-WS has received in direct funding according to our records, which are not complete, the following dollars amounts:
-1989-1996: $268,643
-2000-2005: $1,017,234
           
2. Elite Athlete Health Insurance (EAHI):
Six athletes currently receive EAHI valued at $6,000 per athlete per year as a total of $36,000 in support is allocated to the qualified pool of athletes.  This is an annual program.

3. Operation Gold:
In 2006, $11,500 was awarded to elite athletes based off of performances at the 2006 Pan American Championship. Three athletes were awarded a total of $7,550 for podium finishes at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil.  This is an annual program.

4. Pan Am Games:
The USOC covers all expenses for the U.S. Team participating in the Pan American Games every four years (travel, entry fees, lodging, meals, background checks, etc.).

5. Joint Marketing Agreement:
From 2000 through 2007, USA-WS has received $16,000 per year as part of a multiyear joint marketing endeavor.  
           
6. Educational sessions:
Several are offered including the following:
            -Marketing symposium constructed to help NGBs collaborate on marketing initiatives.
            -Best Practice Seminars for NGB staff

7. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA):
The USOC works directly with the USADA to promote and ensure clean play in U.S. sports. USADA regularly provides ongoing anti doping testing with USA Water Ski elite athletes.

8. Other Athlete Services:
Many services are available to our sport including the following:
-Use of Olympic Training Center facilities and medical staff by injured athletes.
-Use of Olympic Training Center & dorms for clinics such as Sr. Officials Clinic in 2006.
-Support for athletes looking for employment through the Athlete Career Services Dept.

9. USOC Television and Internet Relationship:
USA-WS has signed a contract to provide content for television, Internet production and airing services. The contact provides for an annual $16,000 infusion of cash (the former and ongoing marketing agreement amount listed in #5 above), a $20,000 signing bonus, and the possibility of budget relief by the payment for production services and provision of Internet functionalities.

So, overall, it isn’t a bad proposition. I do think it is helpful to examine these portions of the pie and I welcome comments.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Steve Locke
Executive Director
USA Water Ski