A SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT

Hi, I’m Patrick from one of the sponsors: Bauer Communications. This is my

Barefoot Wawasee story:

When I was younger, a friend and I had been doing practically

everything in Barefooting that you could possibly do. We Short Roped, Long

Roped, Tumble Turns, Deepwater Starts, Barefoot on One Foot, Hold the Rope

with your Foot, Jump the Wake, Jump out of two Skis and Start Barefooting,

We did a thing we called the Monster Walk, where you went back and forth,

Right Foot, Left Foot, very fast so it looked like you were walking on the water.

We even built a One Barrel Jump with Plywood, a Steel Drum, and a lot of Wax

on the surface of the jump (Splinters). We hit that jump barefooting and landed

it many times. One thing I think about is, when you

fall barefooting, usually, you tumble end-over-end or sometimes a faceplant,

which hurts. The thing is, when we were doing the Barefoot Jump, we never

thought about a Helmet. Young and Fearless, I guess.

We had done everything you can do Barefooting, except Backwards. We never

tried it.

The decision was made, we were going to Barefoot all the way around

Wawasee. Here is my story:

At Dawn on a July morning, with the sun just breaking the horizon and 4 feet of

Fog lifting off the water, behind a Correct Craft Mustang and using two Ski

Ropes tied together (we called that Double Long Gonzo), my journey began.

I started at the West end of Wawasee out in front of Kale Island. I popped out of

the water and gave the thumbs-up sign, which meant floor it. I kicked off the

Drop Ski, and I was on my way. Hardly any boats were out yet, and the lake was

mostly like glass.

I progressed down the North shore, past Harborside Condos, and made my way

towards the Sphynx Condos (Wawasee Prep back then). I kept going, not doing

any tricks, focusing on the mission. I progressed all the way down that shore

and approached Ogden Island. We had already discussed Johnson’s Bay and

decided not go around it, but cut across to Black Point. I asked the man who

swam around Wawasee in 2025 if he cut across or swam Johnson’s Bay, but he

didn’t answer.

From there, I kept going along that shore up to Cedar Point. After passing that, I

was on my way to Crows Nest. The water is usually calm there all the time, so it

was a welcome sight. I passed the entrance to Enchanted Hills and made my

way to the East end of Wawasee. From there, I crossed in front of Morrison

Island and cut across to Runaway Bay, from there, down and around to

Buttermilk Point.

The water was still calm, and I wasn’t tired, still going strong. I made my way up

towards the Sandbar and Vawter Park. I was now officially on the South Shore.

Heading down the long stretch towards Ideal Beach, I did encounter Boat

Waves. Not wanting to ruin my run, I braced myself and plowed through them.

The South Shore is a long stretch, and while heading towards Ideal Beach, my

feet started burning a little. Determined to complete Barefooting all the way

around Wawasee, I hung on and focused on my goal.

Approaching Waco Point, my feet were burning a lot more. Passing by Waco

and approaching the Yacht Club, the burning was getting intense. I could see the

entrance to Conklin Bay, and I knew that I had almost made it. I held on,

determined to finish. After a few more minutes, my feet felt like they were on

fire. Within sight of the mouth of Konklin Bay, I regretfully was forced to let go.

I didn’t fall, I didn’t quit from exhaustion, I couldn’t take the intense burning

anymore.

The goal was to make it to the Oakwood, and I fell short by about 200 yards of

a full circuit around Wawasee. So, I can’t claim 100% success, only 98%. But, if

not for my feet on fire, I know I would have completed the loop. So you see, I

know it can be done.

I’m sure there are others who possibly wore booties and made it all the way.

I’m excited to see how everyone does, and I’ll be cheering for every one of you.

Patrick