Ski Club Members Travel to Chile for Nautique Big Dawg
Okeeheelee skier, John Shealy, AKA Juan Chealy, took the week to ski at Miranda’s ski school along with Tim Huston, club member Jeff Smith and Ed Hickey, and Andy Mapple. Last year, Shealy traveled to Peru for the Big Dawg and was crowned the name “Juan Chealy.” This came about because he was anxious for practice time and the practice segments were going by country. Every time it was his turn to ski, there was a mechanical issue, break for lunch, or equipment failure. The South American team, mainly instigator Ruben Rosenburg decided to adopt the American but he needed a new name, therefore, John Shealy, became Juan Chealy and was moved to the top of the practice list with the Latins.
Before leaving West Palm Beach, John spent most of his time in the gym doing his typical winter training. The weather in Florida has been superb, so he was able to kick up the skiing and get some short-line training at 39 off. In Chile, he plans on skiing two sets a day before the competition. Skiing on a foreign lake with different conditions has its challenges. He focuses on balance and rhythm and his Goode Nano One gives him the confidence he needs in unknown waters. John has skied many tournaments in Miami that were part of the Latin American Tour, and has had the opportunity to meet the Latin skiers and become good friends with most of the group. One of his memories from the Peru stop last year was going to Juan Carlos’s beach house for lunch and the amazing atmosphere and food served.
John travels to the Latin Big Dawg because he enjoys the southern hospitality and positive attitude of the series. Last year in Peru, John landed on the podium with a bronze medal and he hopes to stand on the box again this year. He has run 5 at 39 many times in a record tournament so he will be part of the top skiers in the boxing ring for a placement.
John said, “I would like to thank all the members of the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches for always supporting me, and I encourage all skiers to follow their addiction to the sport and enjoy the journey.”
John qualified for the Nautique Big Dawg finals to be held in August. See you there!