Bill von Zabern

April 1966 - January 2009

Bill von Zabern was the kind of guy you like to hang out with, beneath his unassuming personality was an amazing athlete who challenged the limits of human endurance.

BvZ got his feet wet as a barefooter, winning several titles including a National Overall Championship in Men 2 at the 2000 US Barefoot Nationals. He was actively involved with the Canyon Lake Ski Club as a competitor, performer, coach, and judge.

His penchant for endurance sports led him to participate in marathons and triathlons. As a young man he rode a bicycle across America to raise money for a worthy cause.

Bill refocused his exceptional skiing skills on Hydrofoiling at the turn of the century, and in short order became the 2004 Flight Worlds Overall Champion in the Master’s division.

Bill’s real claim to fame came when he combined his love for endurance athletics with Sky Skiing. In October 2008 he performed one of the all-time greatest feats of water skiing endurance. Bill did an unbelievable 3,058 consecutive flips on a Sky Ski in one ride without stopping or falling! His legendary ride was more than 160 miles, and took 6 hours and 20 minutes to complete. Bill pushed himself to the edge of possibility, and celebrated his flippin’ victory by more than doubling the 14-year-old record.

The BvZ Tournament, held in Bill’s memory, has become one of Canyon Lake’s most popular competitions. Barefooters, skiers, trickers, wakeboarders and foilers all participate in this Class F fun tournament.

One of the true good guys is missed by many, and his wife Karen has been active in helping to remember “The Iron Man of Hydrofoiling”.