INT HISTORY
The INT League, known as the “Little League of Watersports,” was started in 1993.
The INT League is an exciting league for wakeboarding, waterskiing, kneeboarding and wakeskating. We are turning these recreational activities into a SPORT! The INT League was started in Washington state with four events and has expanded into 27 states hosting over 250 events days per year. The first US Championships was hosted in Austin, Texas in 1998 with 330 competitors in 27 divisions. These competitors had one thing in mind – to be crowned the INT League champion. Our future plans include expanding events to all 50 states and international countries while continuing to host the INT Championships.
Rick Stocks, founder of the INT League, first started hosting amateur events on Greenlake in Seattle, Washington, in the early 1980′s with the Lake Sammamish Water Ski Club. As President of the Club, he found that even though the club hosted AWSA sanctioned “C” events, most of the members did not compete in the events themselves. This was due to the fact that the caliber of competition was intimidating. No one wants to always lose. Rick’s idea was to make the competition fun and based on ability levels so that all members and their families could compete and where new people could be introduced to the sport of waterskiing. Greenlake, in the middle of Seattle, was the perfect place. The Lake Sammamish Water Ski Club is still hosting events on Greenlake with the INT League and with a limit of 150 competitors, the word is out – “preregister or you won’t get in.”
Since those early days, we have done our best to keep up with the watersports industry by adding wakeboard slalom when the board first appeared on the market, later adding wakeboard freestyle and now wake skating. The INT League was the first to add competition for the wide and parabolic skis. INT’s goal is to adapt to the changing needs of the industry and host events that are fun for everyone, all ages and abilities.
Mission Statement
To promote, organize and execute a consistent grass roots program hosting water sports events on a national spectrum. Individuals can enjoy the fun and challenges of competition in a non-intimidating environment like the “Little League” which has been loved by many for years.
These events are designed to encourage men, women and children of all ages to challenge their abilities at non-intimidating, fun events. We are committed to attracting water sports enthusiasts and to giving families and friends the opportunity to spend quality time together at a professionally run event.
WWA/INT Mission Statement
WWA/INT aspires to grow participation and consistency in towed water sports by actively promoting, organizing, and supporting, fun competitive events by welcoming all ages and ability levels.
Rick Stocks CEO and Founder www.intleague.com
Eskimo Escapades History
Eskimo Escapades was formed by John Cox, David Bernheim, John Tillett, and Buddy Coomer and held its first event in 1995 at Ned Ray McWherter Park in Knoxville, TN on January 14, 1995. It continued there the next year, and then in 1997, the event moved to its present location at Volunteer Landing in downtown Knoxville, TN.
The first year at Volunteer Landing goes neck and neck with the 2003 event as the coldest on record. That year the water temperature was a particularly chilly 37 degrees and the air temperature high was 28 degrees. It was painfully cold and there was a big drop in the number of skiers, but the event still did well. 2003 was extremely cold again, with a high temperature of 27 degrees, recovery from a 3 inch snow on Thursday evening, and only 82 skiers. Even with the cold, snow, and drop in skiers, the event still raised $23,000 for its two local charities. The event continued to grow with a record 150 skiers in 2005.
2006 was the first year that BWXT Y-12 in Oak Ridge sponsored the whole event and in doing so was instrumental in bringing in a record $40,000.
In the 17 year history, we have raised over $350,000 for the benefit of local East Tennessee charities!
