Karen Putz

A Deaf Mom Who Walks on Water

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World’s Oldest Competitor Still Walks on Water

November 18, 2014 By Karen Putz 2 Comments

jim boyette flyer

So you’ve got a few aches and pains. You’re getting older. You have difficulty walking. You’re facing some health challenges. Does this mean you have to give up your passion?

Jim Boyette passionately loves the sport of barefoot water skiing. At 87 years old, he’s the world’s oldest barefoot competitor. Today is his birthday, but he won’t be able to take a celebratory birthday run on the water  just yet. “I have an infection in the tear ducts of my right eye for the second time and had to have it lanced and drained yesterday,” Jim explained. “It is due to a long-ago broken nose, which causes the bone in my nose to block the tear duct and it’s necessary to have an operation to scrape away some of the bone. I should be able to do a delayed celebration ski though.”

Jim continues to walk on water despite facing adversity time and time again. In 2007, he noticed a numbing in his feet and hands. He was diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth Neuropathy, a degenerative disorder that atrophies the muscles in the feet and hands. In 2009, he was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. It took 20 radiation treatments to put it in remission and throughout it all, Jim continued to barefoot water ski. Along came skin cancer.  Jim didn’t let the conditions slow him down, nor did he stop competing. “Sometimes my feet feel like two pieces of wood, but that hasn’t stopped me yet,” said Jim.

jim boyette and me

I met Jim at my first National barefoot tournament in 2011 and I was quickly inspired by him.  Despite having great difficulty in putting on a wetsuit and walking to the starting dock, Jim still took a flying leap off the dock and stood up skiing away. Jim picked up the sport of barefooting at the age of 45–back in 1973,when the sport was still recreational. Over the years, he gave up baseball and bowling, but continued to train for tournaments. In fact, Jim is one of two barefoot water skiers who have competed in every National Barefoot Tournament since the first one in 1978. That’s right, he has not missed a single tournament despite numerous health challenges, including a busted ear drum just a few days before the 2014 Nationals.  He plugged his ear up with putty and skied in the tournament. Along the way, he racked up a grand total of 64 medals, 21 Overalls, and set 31 records. He learned barefoot jumping–flying off an 18-inch ramp– at the age of 50 and continued to jump until he was 64. This is quite remarkable, when you consider that barefoot water skiing is an extreme sport and barefoot jumping is often reserved for the younger crowd.

Jim continues to set goals and make plans. “My goal for the next couple of years is to last… to survive…and still be able to compete– as long as I can. I’m lucky if I can ski without passing out,” he chuckles.

Jim’s friend and fellow barefooter, 71–year-old Al Hager, once figured out Jim’s secret to beating out all the competition: “Just live longer than anyone else.”

jim boyette trophy

Jim Boyette, Still Competing

Jim Boyette, World’s Oldest Barefoot Competitor

 

Karen Putz is an author, speaker, and Passion Mentor who helps others unwrap their passions at any age.  For fun, she walks on water with the assistance of a rope, boat, and driver. Connect with Karen via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and her website: Ageless Passions. 

Filed Under: Awesome People Tagged With: barefoot nationals, competition, extreme sport, jim boyette, never too old, passion, tournaments, world's oldest barefoot competitor

Comments

  1. Mike Powell says

    November 18, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    In December 1990 I moved on Lake Holden.
    The next summer I saw another Barefoot Nautique on the water, I motored over to introduce myself. I asked if the guy was a barefooter too? His name was Jim Boyette and my lessons started.
    I have been in one boat or the other both skiing and driving for Jim ever since.
    Jim is a wonderful friend and mentor. I am afraid I will never learn enough from him. Not just about footin either!

    Mike Powell

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Old Age-It's a State of Mind - Ageless Passions by Karen Putz, The Passion MentorAgeless Passions by Karen Putz, The Passion Mentor says:
    May 25, 2015 at 6:52 am

    […] the status quo, why not go out and be the first person to shatter the age myth?    Take Jim Boyette, for example. He took up barefoot water skiing at the age of 45 and began to compete in barefoot […]

    Reply

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