Member Spotlight: Joe Knapp, Rockford, Minn.

My first experience with water skiing was with my father. He rented a fishing boat, he put a line on the back, and I was at the end of that handle. I was about 10 years old, and it was on Lake Independence, which is just a few miles from where I live now.

When I was 13 and my brother was 12, our neighbor asked if we wanted to drive while he water skied. I thought that sounded great, so my brother and I went out on his boat every day for three years. That's where I really got hooked on water skiing.

I started learning trick skiing, and when I was 16, I got up backward on one trick ski. I met my wife when I learned how to barefoot water ski. I picked her up hitchhiking in 1976, and she drove the boat for me when I barefoot skied for the first time. I've been to all 45 Barefoot Nationals, and I've competed in all three events: slalom, trick, and jump. My wife said she would never learn how to barefoot water ski, but she did. She went on to compete from 1979 to 1983 in the Barefoot Nationals.

I really enjoy barefooting. It's nice getting in the boat and not needing any skis. I started skiing annually for New Year's on January 1, 1977. The coldest weather I've experienced while water skiing was 18 below zero degrees. I have to go on the river where there's a dam, everything else freezes up. USA Water Ski & Wake Sports has been there every step of the way. I'm an ambassador and a lifetime member.

I am Joe Knapp and #WeAreWaterSki.