USA Water Ski Headquarters History

• 1939 -- First AWSA HQ was a desk drawer in the home of American Water Ski Association founder, Dan B. Hains in Bayville, N.Y.

• 1949 -- AWSA moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., when Chuck Sligh became president

• 1955 -- Outboard Boating Club of America takes over administration of AWSA HQ in Chicago

• 1958 -- AWSA moved to Winter Haven, Fla., on Lake May. Hired full-time executive director.

• 1968 -- AWSEF began as a paper organization administered by AWSA.

• 1976 -- AWSA moved to building on Overlook Drive in Winter Haven.

• 1999 -- 60th Anniversary AWSA - became USA Water Ski

• 2001 -- 50th Anniversary of The Water Skier Magazine

• 2007 --  New Executive Director - Steve Locke

AWSEF Hall of Fame & Museum

• 1976 -- Preview Center Opened at Overlook location.

• 1980 -- AWSEF hired full-time executive director.

• 1982 -- First Hall of Fame inductions.

• 1983 -- First AWSEF scholarship awards.

• 1985 -- Established AWSEF endowment and facilities fund.

• 1996 -- Property purchased for relocation to I-4.

• 1998 -- "Quantum Leap Building Campaign kick off

• 2000 -- Moved into new building

• 2005 -- First event held on Lake Grew