The Return of Feet on Fire: JD Webb Claims Second Championship Win

ORLANDO – After a six-year hiatus, Feet on Fire returned July 12, 2017 at The Waterfront restaurant on Lake Jennie Jewel in Orlando. The 32-man, head-to-head barefoot endurance contest has traditionally been one of the most anticipated contests for competitors and spectators alike. Unlike most endurance barefoot contests, Feet on Fire is comprised of an invite-only list of elite athletes from a broad spectrum of towed watersports, including wakeboarders, wakeskaters, traditional waterskiers, show skiers, stunt men and industry veterans.

The contest tried to stay as close to its roots as possible, upholding its first and most important rule since day No. 1: no barefoot suits allowed, only a pair of shorts and a flotation device. Due to course restrictions, the original figure eight pattern was cut and the Ring of Fire course was set in place. As always, two barefooters competed behind the boat at one time, with both having to be off their ski and on their bare feet by a certain point. From there, the boat continued in a large circle pattern until someone fell. The last person standing, without falling, advanced to the next round.

“I was blown away by the turn out. It’s been a six-year hiatus in Orlando and it was clear that so many people have been eagerly awaiting its return,” said Dano the Mano, a founder of the original Feet on Fire who organized this year’s event. He added that more than 300 locals came out from the wake and waterski communities, including the guys at House Akros who flew in from Chicago solely to support and help capture the event. “Having the same Nautique 200 pulling the event that set all new course records at the 58th Nautique Masters helped take the event to a new level with flawless consistent pulls all day long. The team over at Regal & Nautique of Orlando really came through.”

Now a two-time Feet on Fire champion, pro wakeboarder and Nautique athlete JD Webb took home first place, followed by two-time Feet on Fire and two-time U.S. National wakeboard champion Shawn Watson in second. The biggest upset of the day was Pierce Homsey taking out defending and two-time Feet on Fire champion Zane Schwenk early in round two. Homsey finished the day tied for third place with Parks Bonifay. Two other honorable mentions were announced at the award ceremony: best crash was given to Nautique waterski athlete and long-distance jumper Zack Worden and best start of the day was awarded to Watson, after launching his ski more than 15 feet above his head on his step off during the third round.

Other key highlights include:

• In Shaun Murray’s first ever Feet on Fire appearance, he was able to make it into the third round and was taken out in one of the heaviest battles of the day against Watson.
• Former roommates and Feet on Fire original founders Dano the Mano and Erik Ruck went head-to-head in round two, with Ruck advancing into the third round.
• Show skiers Troy Roker and Hunter Hanson proved their versatility on the water. Due to some tough match-ups, they were not able to advance that far into the contest, but they were each able to make two full circles in their rounds. Hanson was taken out by Webb and Roker was taken out by Parks Bonifay.
• Old school rider and wakeboard pioneer Brannon Meek impressed the crowd with a full lap against 1995 national barefoot champion Chip Fernandez, who took fifth place in this year’s contest.
• Feet on Fire original Shane Bonifay, who is still recovering from a foot injury, lent support as the official pick-up boat driver, shuttling athletes and skis throughout the event.
• Other athletes who competed include: Cobe France, Daniel Miles, Gunner Shuler, Jake Ramsdell, Jake Snider, Kevin “Kevco” Michael, Kyle Green, Oli Derome and Ryan Davis.
• The event was attended by popular names in the world of wake, including: Cobe & Tarah Mikacich, Cory Teunissen, Giorgia Gregorio, Gordon Harrison, Harley Clifford, Kyle Alberts and Scott Byerly, among others.
• Feet on Fire has never been about winning money; it is more about bragging rights and a sick custom trophy made by Drew McGuckin. This year’s prizes also included: a custom SeaDek package worth $500, four half day passes to barefoot with Keith St. Onge at the World Barefoot Center and a custom Feet on Fire step off ski & leaderboard created by Custom Empire, among other prizes.

Sponsors of the event include: Regal & Nautique of Orlando, House Akros, Bud Light, Nautique, SeaDek, Connelly, Radar Skis, Step Up Productions, The Golden Mic Podcast, Custom Empire, Drew McGuckin Custom Metals and Performance Ski & Surf.

Download photos of this year’s Feet on Fire by clicking here. If sharing publicly, please include photo credit to John Lipscomb at JD Diamond Photography.

ABOUT DANNY “DANO THE MANO” AMIR:

Danny “Dano the Mano” Amir, also known as “the Noise of the North,” is the official voice of the World Wake Association. With more than a decade on the mic, Dano announces the World’s largest pro wakeboard and waterski events year after year. He is also the host of the Golden Mic Podcast, which is the only podcast dedicated solely to towed watersports, primarily wakeboarding and waterskiing. The podcast is delivered twice monthly, free of charge, via NoiseoftheNorth.com, iTunes and SoundCloud. It features interviews with the sports’ most recognizable past and present pro athletes as well as coverage from events throughout the year. Visit www.NoiseoftheNorth.com for more information.

ABOUT THE WATERFRONT:

The Waterfront is located on Lake Jennie Jewel at 4201 South Orange Avenue in Orlando and features a scratch kitchen with great food, brews and views. In May 2017, the restaurant reopened under new ownership, debuting a whole new menu and updated interior that still maintains its divey mien. The Waterfront is owned and operated by Ryan Davis, Kevin Little, Kyle Alberts and Pat Kennedy; the partners also own and operate The Other Bar, Harry Buffalo and Stagger Inn in downtown Orlando. For more information, call (407) 866-0468 or visit https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheWaterFrontOrlando.