The Royce Andes Award is to honor Royce Andes, who has been and remains an inspiration to new and experienced skiers alike, and a first year Nationals skier who embodies his spirit.  Royce is also developer of the "Kan-Ski" the sit ski used by most of today's sit skiers.

The award, sponsored by the Western Region of WSDA (WaterSkiers with Disabilities Association), is presented each year to a promising new National competitor.  (There were a record 8 new competitors at the 2000 DisAbled WaterSki Nationals!)

The award is voted on by the other competitors at the National Championships, and is to honor not necessarily a great performer; but a competitor who is an inspiration to others to try, to learn, and to compete.  That doesn't mean a new skier doesn't perform well, it just means that their ski performance aside, the newcomer encourages others, teaches/coaches others, brings new skiers to sport and most of all is an inspiration to others.  (That's what waterSkiing is really all about.)

DisAbled waterSkiing was developed and has grown because of DisAbled individuals like Royce Andes; LeRoy Monson (deceased) who spent many hours and countless miles traveling to put on clinics, teaching many new skiers, and Anne O'Brine who has been a mainstay of the National and World TEAMS.

Recipients of the Royce Andes Award from its inception in 1995 are:

1995        Mark Dean                    1996      Darryl Goldsmith                       

1997        Andrew Ewing               1998      Kevin Kimble & April Shinholster    

1999        Chad Guzman                2000      Tammy Allard         

2001       Justin Gotthardt               2002      Robert Baer

2003       Megan Lovelace              2004      Jeff Hancock and Deborah White

2005       Bill Conley                      2006      Raquel Roney

Please be sure to see the DisAbled Wing of the NEW WaterSki Hall of Fame (and USA WaterSki Headquarters) when visiting Florida.

LastUpdated10/28/06