The famous Lake Norman New Year’s Day Barefoot Challenge is set to return for its 48th annual tournament, kicking off at noon on New Year’s Day at the Lake Norman Marina.
While the event takes place on North Carolina waters, it is powered by South Carolina talent: the tournament is organized by the Carolina Show Ski Team, based out of Tega Cay, S.C. dedicated to promoting water safety and the sport of water skiing across the region.
A Test of Skill and Endurance
The competition features a unique scoring system that combines endurance, technical skill, and style. Contestants accumulate their total score based on three key factors:
- Endurance: 1 point for every second they remain on their bare feet.
- The Start: Points awarded for the difficulty of their starting method (e.g., flying dock starts, backward deepwater starts).
- Tricks: Points awarded for the difficulty of tricks performed during the run (e.g., one-foot skiing, tumble-turns, and 180-degree turns).
Event Details & Admission
Spectators are welcome to attend this exciting lakeside tradition. Admission is free, and concessions will be available on-site for purchase.
- When: New Year’s Day, starting at 12:00 PM (Noon)
- Where: Lake Norman Marina, 6965 North Carolina 150 East, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
