What, exactly, would tempt someone to arise at 5:30 a.m., (that's when the water is flat) grab onto a 75-foot length of kevlar-reinforced rope, (kevlar doesn't stretch) jump into the lake wearing nothing but a wet suit and yell, "Hit it!?" The answer? Barefoot water skiing. On any given calm morning on Tippecanoe Lake one might find Bob Ragland, a captain with American Airlines, exhibiting his idea of recreation. He has become quite adept at deepwater front and back starts, one-foot fronts and backs and other advanced footin' techniques. He has attended barefoot school in Florida with the legendary world champion, Ron Scarpa. But really, why do this - at around 40 mph? Ragland offers, "It's unique. Not everbody does it. I remember when I was a kid and saw somebody footin' and thought, 'That's cool!'" Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union[[In-content Ad]]
