For Immediate Release:

CHARLTON, Mass., July 16, 2026 – The New England Water Ski Collective celebrated a milestone day for tournament water skiing in Massachusetts on Wednesday, July 15, as 33 skiers from across the region gathered at Buffumville Dam for the 2026 Massachusetts State Slalom Championships.

The two-round slalom event marked the first tournament hosted by the New England Water Ski Collective and the first Massachusetts state tournament in roughly 10 years. Skiers competed for Massachusetts State Championship titles while also earning valuable North East Slalom Series points and AWSA qualification scores for Regional and National tournaments later this summer.

“Bringing a state championship back to Massachusetts was a major goal for our group, and seeing a full field, strong skiing, and so much support from the regional water ski community made the day incredibly special,” said the New England Water Ski Collective. “This event showed what is possible when teammates, friends, volunteers, officials, sponsors, and public partners all come together around the sport.”

The Collective is proud of every athlete who competed and helped make the day such a success. The organization is especially proud of its own skiers and champions, with Sydney Zmetra earning the Women’s 1 Division title, Christina Fluckiger earning the Women’s 2 Division title, and Jared Bushnell earning the Men’s 2 Division title for the New England Water Ski Collective.

Division Champions

  • B1: Levi Hinman, 34.00 buoys – 4.00 @ 23mph 15 Off
  • B2: Aaron Kline, 70.00 buoys – 4.00 @ 32mph 22 Off
  • B3: James Ervin, 80.00 buoys – 2.00 @ 34mph 28 Off
  • B4: Ryan Ervin, 91.50 buoys – 1.50 @ 36mph 32 Off
  • G5: Kristina Kreft, 77.00 buoys -5.00 @ 34mph 22 Off
  • M1: Jack Decker, 98.00 buoys – 2.00 @ 36mph 35 Off
  • M2: Jared Bushnell, 63.50 buoys –  3.50 @ 30mph 22 Off
  • M3: Neal Kline, 62.00 buoys –  2.00 @ 32mph 15 Off
  • M4: Derrick St Laurent, 97.00 buoys -1.00 @ 34mph 38 Off
  • M5: Patrick Morrill, 94.00 buoys – 4.00 @ 34mph 35 Off
  • M6: Paul Myers, 92.00 buoys –  2.00 @ 34mph 35 Off
  • M7: Stephen Kristo, 86.00 buoys –  2.00 @ 32mph 35 Off
  • M8: Rui Afonso, 80.00 buoys –  2.00 @ 32mph 32 Off
  • M9: Dennis Jenks, 77.50 buoys –  5.50 @ 30mph 32 Off
  • W1: Sydney Zmetra, 75.00 buoys – 3.00 @ 30mph 32 Off
  • W2: Christina Fluckiger, 62.50 buoys –  2.50 @ 32mph 15 Off
  • W6: Janet Pearl, 59.00 buoys – 5.00 @ 30mph 15 Off
  • W7: Donna Jenks, 72.50 buoys –  0.50 @ 30mph 32 Off

The New England Water Ski Collective extends heartfelt thanks to the teammates, friends, volunteers, officials, families, and sponsors who made the day possible and helped turn the championship into such a success. Special thanks go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for allowing the event to be held at the beautiful Buffumville Dam site and facilities.

The Collective is also grateful for the support of its lead event sponsors: S-Lines USA, Zmetra Clear Span Structures, and New England Boat Company of Webster. S-Lines USA provided skier ropes and additional safety gear, Zmetra Clear Span Structures supplied tents and athlete setup areas, and New England Boat Company supported the event with boats for safety, scorers, and judges.

Additional sponsors supporting the New England Water Ski Collective’s Adaptive and Competitive Divisions this season include The Mark Fidrych Foundation, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Move United Sport, The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, Arbella Insurance, author Karen Michalson, Hazard Marine, Team Hoyt New England, Reardon Insurance, Awning Cleaning Industries, Ski-It-Again.com, Pakachoag Acres Day Care Center, Doug Russell Marine, The Hanover Insurance Group, Foxy Travel and FTI Coach, Howe Lumber, Swissturn USA, and many personal supporters.

Full tournament results are available at Waterski Results.

More photos from the event can be found at:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1422254616627431&type=3