New Year's Day Barefoot Tournament

01/03/2026

https://www.wrhi.com/2026/01/lake-norman-new-years-day-barefoot-challenge-results-208914

Sherrill’s Ford, NC – Contestants travelled from New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida and North and South Carolina to compete in the 48th annual Lake Norman New Year’s Day Barefoot Challenge. The tournament is considered one of the most unique barefoot tournaments in t...

12/31/2025

Last year 12 year old national level competitor, Logan Harrington of Davidson, NC, won the elite Open Division, and also had an exceptional endurance time of 302 seconds. This year Logan has trained hard with 2004 and 2006 Woman’s World Champion, Rachel Normand, and at the World Barefoot Center in Florida. As a result, Logan hopes to not only win the Open Division again, but become one of only five contestants to have exceeded 600 points in the 48 year history of the event.

For the Harrington family, it is truly a family event with not only Logan competing, but also his dad, Court, and seven year old sister, Lydia.

Contestants of all ages and skill levels come to compete in the fun and challenging event, such as the famous “Jersey Boys” who are seniors in their 70s and 80s. Rachel Normand will be assisting with announcing, but word is she may also compete again this year.

The tournament starts at noon, January 1, admission is free, and concessions will be available on site. It is recommended spectators bring lawn chairs. More information can be found on the: www.facebook.com/Newyearsdaybarefoot.

Lake Norman Marina is located at 6965 NC-150 East, Sherrill’s Ford, NC 28673.

Based out of Tega Cay, SC, the Carolina Show Ski Team organizes the event, and their mission is to promote water skiing and water safety.

Attached is an image of Logan Harrington and of the tournament course at Lake Norman Marina.

12/31/2025

The records over 48 years are incomplete, but it appears that the four highest scoring contestants in the Lake Norman New Year's Day Tournament are as follows:
1 - 1102 points, Keith St. Onge, 2019, (multiple 180 degree turns)
2 - 816 points, Jeff Blair, 2011
3 - 793 points, Peter Fleck, 2014
4 - 693 points, Ron Scarpa, 1995 (included front flip)

Note that somewhere between the late '90's and early 2000's the rules were changed where a trick could be performed twice for additional points...and adding to spectator appeal 🙂.

Photo is Jeff Blair on one of his many (at least 9) New Year's Day winning runs.

12/23/2025

WBT Radio in Charlotte aired a segment about our New Year’s Day Barefoot Challenge on their Carolina Focus program hosted by Ed Billick. You can listen to it at the link below The segment starts at 6:30 and runs about 20 minutes.

On this Sunday Dec 21, 2025 Episode of CAROLINA Focus with Sharon Thorsland and Ed Billick Dr. Amina Ahmed, medical director of pediatric infectious disease and immunology at Atrium Health Levine Children. She offers practical advice for avoiding germs and strengthening your immune system to help ke...

12/15/2025

In 1996 former World Barefoot Champion and barefooting legend Ron Scarpa set the Lake Norman New Year's Day Barefoot Challenge course record by combining a backward deepwater start with multiple 180 degree turns, tumble turns, one foots and his signature front flip in a relatively short run. “In all my years of water skiing,” says Scarpa, “I think this is the most unique tournament I’ve seen!”

The tournament combines points from the contestant's start method, one point for every second on their feet and points for any tricks they perform, all while the boat path is in an oval pattern...on a chilly New Year's Day!

The picture is Ron with the tournament founder, Terry Cody, at the 1996 tournament. Cody started the New Year's Day tradition in 1978, making it one of the longest running barefoot tournaments in the world.

12/02/2025

Rachel Normand is the only female to have won the Open Division in the Lake Norman New Year's Day Barefoot Challenge. Rachel will be on site this year, but not competing. Any females interested in going for the gold in the Open Division, or beating Rachel's female course record?

10/10/2025

The National Barefoot Championships are over. Footstock is over. The Masters World Barefoot Championships are over. What legendary barefoot competition is next? The Lake Norman New Year’s Day Barefoot Challenge!

Launched in 1979, the New Year’s Day Barefoot Challenge is one of the longest running and unique barefoot tournaments in the world. It includes starts, tricks and endurance all in a single run in an oval pattern…on New Year’s Day in North Carolina!

Many world class barefooters have competed in the Lake Norman New Year’s Day Tournament:
• 5 from the 2025 World Masters Championships in Italy
• 8 from the 2025 US National Championships
• 5 from the 2025 Footstock Figure 8 Championships
• 5 Water Ski Hall of Famers
• 4 World Record Holders

If we’re not on your bucket list, we should be!

For entry information, email [email protected].

12/28/2024

Thanks to Ed Billick for discussing the New Year's Day Barefoot Challenge on his December 22nd WBT Radio Carolina Focus podcast.

12/17/2024

Nice video of last year's New Year's Day Barefoot Tournament.

Lake Norman started 2024 off strong with the 46th Annual Barefoot Skiing Tournament on New Years Day hosted by Lake Norman Marina! It might have been cold in...

12/16/2024

This year the Hog N Dog food truck will be providing concessions at the New Year's Day Barefoot Challenge. "The Hot N Dog Too Truck was an absolute HIT at our Fall Festival this year! Highly Recommend, Delicious and Great Service!" Enjoy some great food while watching the tournament! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063693783298

We are a mobile food truck and caterer. We do Weddings, Corporate Events, Schools, Churches, Birthday Parties & Much Much More!!!!!

12/09/2024

Mark Kale, owner of Lake Norman Marina, announced today that for every point contestants earn during the 47th Annual New Year’s Day Barefoot Tournament, Lake Norman Marina will donate $1.00 toward hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina.

Contestants typically score between 50 and 300 points with exceptional contestants scoring even higher. In 2019 the course record of 1,102 points was set by Keith St. Onge. Total tournament scores typically average 3,000 to 3,500 points, which would yield $3,000 to $3,500 towards those still suffering in western North Carolina.

Now there is even more reason to compete in the fun Lake Norman New Year's Day Barefoot Challenge!

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