Friends, family, and fellow water skiers gathered to honor Dan Morea as he was inducted into the Michigan Water Ski Hall of Fame yesterday (Sat 4/13).  As you will see in the video, Dan is the sixth from Clark Lake to join this group of accomplished skiers.  The video begins with Roger Lyons who nominated Dan to be inducted.  Pete Shoemaker, president of the Michigan Water Ski Association presents the plaque.  When you see Pete access his cellphone, he’s referring to notes given to him by Dan’s daughter, Olivia.  Later, Olivia stands to deliver more comments, followed by Dan’s wife, Lynne.  Those in the video are among others who also spoke, like Tony Krupa and Mike Hill.

Dan Morea’s waterskiing titles are many and significant:

• Michigan State Champion – 2016, 2017
• Regional Champion – 1995, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021.
• National Champion – 2011, 2017, and 2021
• Placed in the Nationals 2003, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018
• World Championships – 7th in 2016, 2nd in 2018

 

Dan’s water skiing career evolved differently from most champions, who started very young.  Dan was 29 before competing in tournaments.  What inspired him?  Attending the Nationals in 1978 as a spectator.  His reaction? “I thought that can’t be that hard.” The next year, he accompanied David and Kay Nichols to the World Championships.  He met Corey Pickos who set the world record in tricks.  Now the die was cast.  Already having one tournament under his belt, he was ready for more. Now he was practicing with dedication and with a clear goal in mind.  During the 1980s he refined his performance with the coaching of a local champion, Tony Krupa.

Like other top contenders, Dan worked endlessly on his slalom and trick runs through the 1970s and 80s.  Then, this.  During a late season practice session in 1985, Dan was attempting a complicated trick that required perfect release timing.  It went poorly.  He was severely injured, and it looked like his waterskiing career was over, and even walking would be a challenge.  Dan searched for an orthopedic surgeon who could help, and became an early recipient of an experimental surgery.  It worked.  He was soon back on the water.  At this point, he concentrated on his trick run, and continued to chalk up wins.

 

The event was hosted at Krupa’s Boat Mart.  That’s where the Hall of Fame is located and where the lead photo in this story was was taken.  Check out more photos in the slide show, including Tony and Gary.

 

Below is what now hangs in the Hall of Fame and the caption that describes his skiing career.

 

 

Dan and Lynne live on Eagle Point.  Today Dan’s career continues to be about enjoying the water.  He owns Blue Planet Board Sports.  His store features kayaks, paddle boards, and skate boards.

Click to view a previous story featuring Dan.   Lynne, Dan’s wife, is an artist.  To learn about that, click here.