Mike Schneider: Has been skiing for most of his life but has been especially interested in barefooting for the past 15 years. He mastered several basic moves including tooth-holds, tumble turns, and wake crossings early in his skiing career, but it was not until after he joined the Lake St. Louis Waterski Club that he started to work on more advanced moves. He began to focus on technique when he took on the responsibility of barefoot development for the club, and he started teaching. His willingness and ability to teach anyone to barefoot has changed the face of the sport within the Lake St. Louis community. He has mastered a method of teaching that has been effective for all skiers, young and old. The barefooting acts have been the ski club’s highest scoring acts in several regional and national competitions. All of this progress is a direct result of Mike’s dedication, drive, and love of the sport.

Dave Sommer: Has been an avid barefooter for the past 10 years, and a recreational waterskier since college. Before joining the Lake St. Louis Arch Rivals in 1999, he performed with show teams in Alton and Quincy, Illinois. The ladies rave about Dave’s skills as a strap doubles partner, and he is well-known for his showmanship in the powerful two ski jump-out “bomber.” In the past several years, he has competed in Figure 8 and Barefoot Endurance competitions across the Midwest, and was the 2004 champion of the Lake Saint Louis Figure 8 Barefoot Challenge. Dave barefoots daily on Lake Saint Louis, and his activities are closely monitored by the Lake Saint Louis Water Patrol.

Anthony Gramolino: is a lover of any sport that involves speed, risk, and an element of danger. He tried to teach himself to barefoot at age 14, pushing through bloody noses and “losing his lunch” in true hard-core barefooter style. He grew up as an avid fan of the Lake of the Ozarks ski shows, his mom skied with the Alton Waterski Club, and he has followed Ron Scarpa’s career and techniques for years. Anthony had the pleasure of meeting Banana George a few years ago on the snowboard slopes, which further inspired his passion for skiing. Anthony has been involved with the Lake Saint Louis Arch Rivals for two years now in pyramids, jump acts, and of course, barefooting.

Ben Ernst: Team MVS Barefoot’s official boat driver, skied recreationally for many years before moving to Lake St. Louis and joining the ski club in the mid 1980s. He then became interested in show skiing, barefooting, and three-event, and learned to trick, jump, barefoot, and run the slalom course all in his early 40s. He also became interested in show skiing, where he skied pyramid, barefoot, around the boat, trios, and later duos with his granddaughter. In recent years, he has driven for the Lake Saint Louis Waterski Club’s Show Team, the Arch Rivals.

Doug Winters: is an undercover barefooter. His history is mysterious. He is the proud owner and official driver of the MVS Barefoot Team Tour Bus, “The Doghouse.”

Tim Knoerzer: started waterskiing as a 5-year-old, and was barefooting by the time he was 13. He has been actively involved in show skiing for the past 20 years, both as a skier and as a show director. He is currently a member of the Arch Rivals, MVSBarefoot, McDonald's Endurance Barefoot Racing Team and the Barefoot Gang. Tim barefoots behind a Ski-Pro & Malibu Barefooter. His sponsors include: McDonald’s, Bankcard Processing International (PBI), Barefoot Gang, MVS Barefoot, and Missouri Motorsports.