POLK CITY, Fla. — USA Water Ski has named the San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Team of San Diego the winner of its 2001 Club of the Year contest. The Club of the Year contest is an effort to recognize and reward the hardest working USA Water Ski-affiliated club in the United States. It rewards clubs that host water ski events that provide opportunities for newcomers to the sport to participate and become active members of USA Water Ski.

In addition to hosting numerous National Ski League and National Wakeboard League grassroots tournaments, the San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Team organized learn-to-ski clinics, certified officials within its membership, and added new members to its club roster.

"Through its numerous tournaments, clinics and water skiing activities, the San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Team continues to introduce people to the enjoyment and benefits of water skiing," said Steve McDermeit, USA Water Ski's executive director. "Its efforts have been greatly successful at raising the public?s awareness of water skiing in Southern California and the entire nation."

Regional winners of the Club of the Year contest are: Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Club, Janesville, Wis. (Midwest); U.S. Water Ski Show Team, Scotia, N.Y. (Eastern); Florida Southern College Water Ski Club, Lakeland, Fla. (Southern); and Lakes at Cypress Hill Ski Team, Cypress, Texas (South Central).

In addition to other prizes, the San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Team will receive a plaque and have its name engraved on a trophy housed in USA Water Ski Headquarters in Polk City, Fla. The regional award winners receive free USA Water Ski and American Water Ski Educational Foundation club memberships for one year, while the San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Team receives the same memberships for five years.

The San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Team and the winners of the regional Club of the Year contests will be recognized at the USA Water Ski Winter Board Meeting in January, and at the Water Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in April.