Category Archives: Member Highlights

2018 Wrap-up

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Hi Members,

Happy Holidays and best wishes for a great 2019! The Tom Costello/Alan Rossi State Championships was successful with great scores and conditions. Congrats to all our new State Champions (listed below). Thanks to all that volunteered to make our Tournament a success! The Tournament was again a stop on Justin Campfield’s North East Slalom Series, which is a seven stop five state tour that culminates in a head to head cash final. Points awarded are NOPS equalized to level the playing field so everyone has an opportunity to win. For more details visit the NESS website https://waterskitheeast.com/.

Our first Junior’s Clinic in July was coached by skiing legend Chris Rossi who graciously volunteered his time. It was great for Juniors to get inspired by Chris’s world class coaching. Thank You Chris! The Clinic was supported by GMWS, Junior Development Alan Rossi funds. Thanks to Justin Campfield and Bill Bruzzese for organizing the event.

Darlene McCormick has decided to retire from competitive waterskiing and her role as our Treasurer. Darlene developed and managed our website, as well as the East Region’s website, https://www.awsaeast.org. She has been dedicated to our sport and club for many years. She will continue as Treasurer until her term expires at our Annual Meeting this May. Thank you Darlene for all your time, effort, and dedication for so many years.

Vermont 2018 State Champs Division Score Speed Buoys
Carter Bruzzese B2 4@LL 19 16
Will Bruzzese B3 1@35off 36 97
Abby Campfield G2 2@LL 21 20
Adam Largess M2 2@35off 36 98
Justin Campfield M3 3@35off 34 93
Eric Dole M4 3@35off 34 93
Joe Bourgeois M5 3.5@32off 34 87.5
Karen Bruzzese W4 3@22off 34 75
Darlene McCormick W6 3@28off 32 75

Our Club is what we make of it. THANKS!

Bruce Epstein, President
13 South Pinnacle Ridge Rd
Waterbury, VT 05676

CELL: (802)272-5324

Annual Meeting 2017

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Hi Members,

Our Annual Meeting will be held Friday, May 12 at our home in Waterbury (address is below). Social time starts at 6:00 pm with Pizza provided.

Bring your own beverage. Meeting will commence ~ 6:30 pm. Agenda will include Treasurer’s Report, Election of Officers, Membership status, Club website, this year’s Tournament/State Championship, NorthEast Slalom Series (NESS) Update, State Records, Scheduling Ski Clinic(s), Equipment Rentals, GMWS Sticker/Decal, the Alan Rossi Award, Waterbury Courses Update, and any other items. If you would like any other items added let me know. Please confirm if you will attend so we can order enough Pizza. You can email me or respond directly below.

The Tom Costello/Alan Rossi first state championships were successful with great scores and conditions. Congrats to all our new state champions (listed below). Thanks to all that volunteered your time to make our tournament a success! The tournament was also a stop on Justin Campfield’s North East Slalom Series, which is a seven stop five state tour that culminates in a head to head cash finals. Points awarded are NOPS equalized to level the playing field so everyone has an opportunity to win. For more details visit the North East Slalom Series website www.waterskitheeast.com. The Jamie Beauchesne Clinic held in July was supported by GMWS and Alan Rossi funding and again well attended. 2016 Alan Rossi Award went to Skip Hommel from Massachusetts. Skip is a great skier dedicated to helping skiers improve and volunteering time to our sport. Well deserved! Congrats to Joyce Dobberton Womens 5 Regional Champion, and Donna Epstein for 2nd Place at Nationals in Idaho.

Our 2016 Vermont Champions:

Will Bruzzese Boys 2 Abby Campfield Girls 2
Justin Campfield Mens 3 Karen Bruzzese Womens 3
Bill Bruzzese Mens 4 Darlene McCormick Womens 5
Joe Bourgeois Mens 5 Donna Epstein Womens 7
Bruce Epstein Mens 7    

Our Club is what we make of it. Please make every effort to attend.

THANKS!

Bruce Epstein, President
13 South Pinnacle Ridge RD
Waterbury, VT 05676

[email protected]
CELL: (802)272-5324

Joyce Dobbertin Wins Regionals, Donna Epstein 2nd at Nationals

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Joyce Dobbertin won her first regional title battling difficult conditions at Lake Holly in Sparta, VA. She was one of a few competitors all day in all divisions to ski into a third pass due to a high “busy” water level. She scored 2@15-off 32 mph in the Womens 5 division. Congrats Joyce, well done!

Donna Epstein, Womens 7, won her division at Regionals and then went on to place 2nd at Nationals!

Justin Campfield, Mens 3, and Bruce Epstein, Mens 7, also skied both Regionals and Nationals, with Bruce winning his division at Regionals.

Tournament Results 2015

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We had another great season capped by our annual Tom Costello Alan Rossi Slalom Derby tournament.  The weather cooperated again with light winds, sunny skies and temps up near 80.  The day’s best scores was Pat Morrill with 4@38 off 34mph, Bob Radimer 2@38 off 34mph, Bruce Epstein 2@38 off 32mph, Justin Campfield 4@35 off 34mph, and Jon Kusiak 2@35 off 36 mph. For the women Darlene McCormick got 3.5@28 off 32mph.

The day’s real highlights included Joe Bourgeois getting 1.5@35 off 34mph, and the Boys 2 duel between Will Bruzzese and Chase Gulick. This was Joe’s first tournament. Running a pass is the usual measure of success in one’s first tournament, but to get into 35 off is a truly incredible achievement! Big congrats to Joe! The boys put on a great show of their own by getting into 22 off 34mph.  Chase bested Will by one half a buoy with 1.5 @ 22. Both boys exhibited exceptional technique that is reminiscent of Chris Rossi & Jamie Beauchesne at their age. Much appreciation to everyone who worked hard to make our tournament a success.

A big thanks to Fred Costello for yet again providing the t-shirts in memory of Tommy and Alan!

This year’s Alan Rossi Award went to Randy Youngsma. Randy is a past Eastern Regional champ, has put on many tournaments, and has always been a mentor/friend to everyone he’s met, including Alan. We are sure that Alan would be very proud to have Randy the award winner.

Bruce Epstein, President

Bruce Epstein to Compete in World 35+

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Our very own GMWS President, Bruce Epstein, will be competing in the World Over 35 Tournament next week at Sunset Lakes in Groveland, FL. Bruce is currently ranked #5 in the world for men 65 and over. Please send good energy his way during the qualifying round on Wednesday and the final on Sunday (see page 6 for schedule).

Bruce placed 2nd at the Nationals in Texas, and Donna placed 5th. Congratulations to both for their skill and consistency (notice the patience on the handle grab in the above photo)! We are truly lucky to have them as resources and friends.

Alan Rossi Award 2014

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The Alan Rossi Award is presented annually to the skier/official who best exemplifies the Real Deal spirit of Alan Rossi with a love of our sport, dedication to tournament skiing, a willingness to help others, and a true friend.  Last year the award went posthumously to Russ Cole from Mass. who passed suddenly in 2012.  Russ was a hard working great family man and friend to everyone he met and he volunteered much of his time to our sport.   Past winners are posted on our website.  Donations go to Eastern Region Junior Development in Alan’s name and to fund GMWS clinics like the one last year with Jamie Beauchesne.  Please consider nominating anyone who you feel is worthy of this award.  Having such a prestigious award that recognizes individuals who give unselfishly of themselves to others and our sport has great meaning to recipients and family.  Also, please consider donating by check or PayPal to the Green Mountain Water Skiers for the Alan Rossi Award.  It’s a great cause.  Thank You!

Warren Witherell RIP

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Warren Witherell passed away in Burke where he was Head Master and trainer for numerous Olympic snow skiers. Most do not know that he not only excelled in snow skiing, but was also inducted to the Water Skiing Hall of Fame. Warren is the only inductee of the the water and snow ski Halls of Fame. He is also a member of the Vermont Skiing Hall of Fame.

Sid Davis Passed Away

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Sid Davis, GMWS founder and Legend, passed away Monday, March 10. All water skiers in Vermont and beyond owe so much to Sid. He truly was a great mentor, teacher, visionary and friend. He has positively influenced many of our lives. Our Sport would not be the same without him.

Sid’s life will be honored and celebrated on Saturday 3/22/14 at 11:00 am at the Hooker & Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Rd, Barre 05641.  There will be no calling hours. See attached file with more info.

Sid & Joanne’s address is:
105 Highland Ave.
Barre, VT 05641

Sid will be missed but never forgotten.

Green Mountain Water Skiers (GMWS)

Mark Rossi Passed Away

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Mark Rossi passed away Saturday with family at his side. Uncle of world-class skier Chris Rossi and brother of our late friend Alan Rossi, Mark was a pioneer in establishing tournament water skiing in Vermont and had a lasting impact on our sport. He was a devoted family man and a friend to all.