A couple thousand people on the beach, a ski tournament under the lights with lighted buoys, incredible competition, and the tournament debut of the new Ski Nautique 200; one person said that it was the biggest thing to happen in waterskiing in the past 20 years. Of course I am talking about last Friday night’s Big Dawg finals at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach.

I am not sure how to even describe the excitement of the Big Dawg finals. You just had to be there. Those present could feel the excitement building in the dark last Friday night as the buoys were lighted just before the stadium lights were fired up. No one had ever seen anything like this before; just by sitting on the beach it was obvious this was going to be big.

With lots of help from the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches, the Nautique team, led by Greg Davis, worked for months to put on a spectacular event that you would only expect from Nautique; they definitely did not disappoint. There is no doubt that this was an event that those attending will remember for a very long time.

The tournament debut of the revolutionary Ski Nautique 200 certainly added to the excitement. The 200 performed spectacularly and many people who had the chance to see it in our booth and on the lake were ready to order one. This boat has definitely become the boat to own for the serious or recreational water skier.

The Big Dawg was a great way to cap off the US National Championships. All week the talk of the Nationals was the new Ski Nautique 200 and using it in the Big Dawg gave people a chance to see exactly how good it performs.

Congratulations to all of the newly crowned National Champions and congratulations to the new Big Dawg champ, Ben Favret.

On another note, I would like to congratulate two Team Nautique athletes on an incredible 2009 season. Bob Soven swept the ’09 Pro Tour in his division and K.C. Wilson dominated the junior ski circuit including first place Masters and Nationals wins. By the way, K.C., congrats on your recent Water Ski Magazine cover.

To those of you who are not yet in the Nautique family we invite you to join the fun. Contact a Nautique dealer near you to learn not only why Nautique boats are the world’s best boats, but also why you will love being in the Nautique family.

Enjoy the Nautique life.

The Big Dawg finals under the lights

Ben Favret being crowned the Big Dawg Champion