Take an eclectic group of people, give them a fun, but challenging task to do, mix in lots of food, teamwork, self-deprecating humor, and make it a yearly challenge. The result is an impassioned group of water-skiers pursuing something called “the Howie Awards.”
Getting a “Howie” is always an adventure – and this year’s challenge was especially difficult for me. In addition, I learned a new skill in the process and proud to now call myself a slalom skier.
How it all started
The awards were created 30 years ago, almost by accident, by my good friend Howard. Howie grew up water skiing and loves snow skiing as well. He wondered if it was possible to do one of the two every month for a full year. Turns out he did and his children presented him with a small award at the end.
A year later, his lake friends Eric and Pete wanted in on the action… “How do we sign up?” “What are the rules?” Howard told them it was a “made up thing” – but after a bit of time, the rules emerged, and the challenges began.
Yes, it’s a made up thing – but very useful!
Beginning in 2010 the whole thing got more serious – with in-advance sign-up requirement, and prizes each year. Over time, the warmness of Howie and his wife Ellen built a little community around his favorite sport. That’s important. Water-skiing takes a team: (1) someone to drive the boat, (2) a spotter to communicate if the person falls and (3) the person skiing. It can never be done (safely) with less than three. So Howie’s vision and generosity built a community that would always be able to ski.
It’s not easy to get a Howie!
Getting a Howie is substantially harder than it seems. To win “all you need to do” is water-ski or snow ski one day every calendar month for twelve months in a row. Snowboarding, wakeboarding and bare-footing count as well. A bronze medal is awarded for those who combine the wet version and the frozen version, water-skiing in some months, snow skiing in others. A silver medal is awarded to those who pick one version and stick with it for 12 months (yes some people do this!), and a platinum medal (no one has successfully completed this, yet) would be awarded for someone who manages the herculean feat of doing both (snow AND water-skiing) in every month.
If you want to try, it is very good to have options!
Celebrating 30 years
Today we had a celebratory luncheon at Howie & Ellen’s house in Sail Harbor. The awards ceremony featured 11 people completing the mission this year including four people who had not done it before. Four received silver and seven of us received bronze. Ellen arranged for some beautiful fleece jackets for the award and some cool and funny tee shirts for the silver winners.
Jessica and Dave had secretly arranged with all of us to contribute to a gift certificate for Howie and Ellen to thank them for all they do. It is clear they were touched by the gesture. It was a really nice afternoon and great group of people.
My Journey for the 2025 Award
When you describe it, a bronze medal does not seem that hard. This is true, but interesting things can happen in any month, especially the fall and the spring. This is my fourth year receiving the award (48 continuous months) and it was by far the most difficult. As you will soon see, even the best plans can easily go awry.
Planning is important
In past years, I was able to do my fall or spring skiing in Florida when visiting my mother. I sometimes even picked up a mid winter ski there. Since she is now living up north, I do not regularly go to the Lakeland region in Florida – and needed to be more strategic this year. In addition, we had a busy year planned with a hectic travel schedule, so there were fewer opportunities if the weather did not cooperate. Lastly, over the past few years I have been learning to slalom (on just one ski) and the past twelve months have been key to learning to do a slalom start. I have improved, but is not always a sure bet that I can get up on one, and you have to get up on the skis for it to count towards a Howie.
A strong start
The year started out strong for me with a great slalom start lesson with Pete and Isabelle late in August and a beautiful day on September 4th. I got the October ski in with a mid-week ski on the sixth also with Pete. Cool temperatures but sunny skies. It was good timing because we were headed to Italy for the two later weeks in the month.
Luck fell in all of our favor in November as well – a 70 degree day on November 1st meant warm skies, but very chilly water. Luckily Howie was able to lend me a dry-suit that fit well and I did my first ever dry suit ski along with Val, Howie and Pete. I was so happy to get up on the first try, that I ended up skiing for quite a long time, despite the cool water.
Success through the winter
In December, I managed two ski days at Hunter mountain. First on December third with Donnie and his son Adam, then our annual Christmas Day ski adding Sherry, Ali and Cam, Barbara and Barry to our little group.
In January we were headed to vacation in the Florida Keys and I was concerned that I might not get a day in. Donnie and I squeezed a day in on the 17th, which was an adventure all its own (see adventure #7). In February we needed to work around the Morocco and St Petersberg trips. I managed to sneak a water ski in during a wedding motivated trip to Tampa and was delighted to ski alongside the dolphins in the Boca Ciega nature preserve (adventure #10)
Sherry and I skied at Hunter mountain on March 10th (just-in-case). I planned a vacation with Donnie to ski at Stowe VT at the end of March and early April, just to find a massive rainstorm followed by freezing conditions, turning the entire mountain into a skating rink. We navigated the ice and managed two interesting and challenging days (adventure #16)
Beware the Month of May?
During the past three years, May has been an easy month. By the end of May, all our boats were normally afloat and the water was reasonably warm. I never thought that the May ski would be the most difficult of this year. The weather for most of the month was rainy, cold and not conducive to skiing. As the month was ending, I was forced to ski with a dry suit once again on May 25th. It was a windy, cold day and I tried four times to get up on the ski without success. Luckily when I was almost exhausted and very tense, Pete handed me a second ski. I popped right up on the next try. I was SO relieved!
With the busy travel plans, I only managed one ski in June on the 8th with Steve, but had an easier time with July skiing on the 4th with Ali to complete my twelve months.
Grateful
I want to express my gratitude to Howie and Ellen and the entire crazy bunch of skiers. The comradery and teamwork is incredible. I am also grateful for the patient instruction of Pete and all those who drove their boats and spotted for me. This year’s award was a real accomplishment – and I am proud to be part of the team.
