Foot the Chain

We talked with Timothy Collette from Clean Pirate Life to learn about the fifth annual Foot the Chain Music & Waterski Festival happening in February. With a new sober living facility as the end goal, find out about the fun happening along the way to get there.

HOW DID FOOT THE CHAIN COME ABOUT AND WHY?

TC: Foot the Chain (FTC) started with a group of guys who came to Winter Haven every year after the holiday season, to warm up and barefoot waterski our beautiful chain of lakes. This group of guys is part of the barefoot waterski race circuit, and they are very competitive. Because I live here, they asked if I could figure out some sort of “race.” So, in 2021, four boats were towed down from out of state, as far as Indiana, Texas, and Pennsylvania, and we tested my concept of Foot the Chain. We had 30 skiers who, through random draw from a hat, formed teams, and with wetsuits on, we loaded up into boats, and the Foot the Chain Barefoot Shootout was born.

The first year, though not really an official event, was such a great success that we knew we had to do it again. Escaping to Winter Haven, getting to barefoot waterski with some of the greats in the sport, being put in a boat through random selection and throwing darts to determine the winner has

made FTC Barefoot Shootout one of the most talked about events in the sport. It’s competitive, yes, but it’s FUN! There is no other format like this in our sport.

As year two approached, we learned that some of the other barefoot waterski races

across the country raised money for a local charity. LIGHTBULB moment! As I am in recovery, I had wanted to do something to give back to that community as well as put together a community event for Winter Haven. Foot the Chain Waterski and Music Festival was born and benefits the

Clean Cause Foundation. Why not bring more waterskiing, live music, a festival type atmosphere and raise awareness for addiction by supporting a foundation helping those in recovery? Done! FTC II had 5 bands, 10 boats, 60 barefooters, 2 waterski shows, and a Flyboard Fireworks show like no

other! FTC III was bigger yet, and we switched our benefiting foundation to CleanPirateLife, a Local Addiction Awareness foundation. Because the weather has been chilly for past events, FTC V will take place on February 20 and 21 this year. All I want out of this event is to bring community, waterskiing,

and waterfront live music together to raise money for a great cause.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT THIS YEAR?

TC: Better Weather! At least that’s the hope. We have some of the most sought-after local live music, the Flyboard Fireworks show is returning, our friends at Animal Aqua Watersports have stepped in to organize our waterski show and waterski exhibitions with former Team USA Waterski show team members, and registration is already up for the Barefoot Shootout. We have fostered a stronger connection to our small local businesses, who have donated more for our raffles, and we have 14 local market vendors coming.

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR THIS YEAR’S EVENT?

TC: The goal every year is to bring the community out to an amazing experience of waterfront music and waterski entertainment on our beautiful chain of lakes, while raising awareness that recovery is possible. My hope is that every year at this event I can reach just one person to make the personal decision to do better with their life. At the end of the day, recovery isn’t just about substance abuse. We all have or experience something in life that we need to recover from. Recovery is about learning to live a new way

of life.

WHY DO YOU FEEL IT’S IMPORTANT TO CREATE A SOBER LIVING EXPERIENCE?

HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REALITY?

TC: There are several things about living free of substances and the journey to get there that are hard. Some of those things become nearly impossible without the right support and tools. Sober living houses offer just that. However, I learned that nothing in life is free, and most people who make the commitment of learning a new way to live have hit rock bottom, where money is scarce, work is scary, and

temptation is around every corner. Staying free from addictive behavior and substances is not a solo adventure if there is to be success. Sober living houses continue to provide tools, support and accountability necessary to live a life in recovery. CleanPirateLife has raised about 30% of the funds needed to be able to start an affordable sober living house here in Winter Haven.

FOOT THE CHAIN WATERSKI & MUSIC FESTIVAL

February 20 & 21

Tanners Lakeside

1006 Lake Howard Dr SW, Winter Haven

footthechain.com

FB @footthechain