Keith St. Onge grew up in a small town of Berlin, New Hampshire. Mike Seipel, the World barefoot water ski champion, taught Keith to water ski on his bare feet at the age of nine. From the moment he placed his feet on the water, he was hooked on the sport. Keith began competing in barefoot water ski tournaments the following year and his skills on the water quickly progressed.
At the age of thirteen, a newspaper reporter asked Keith what he wanted to do when he grew up. Keith responded, “I would like to be good enough so that I can become a professional and make a living doing it.” That’s exactly what he did.
Keith followed his passion and turned pro at the age of eighteen. A year later, he moved to Florida and opened a ski school, which is now the World Barefoot Center. Keith owns KSO Wetsuits, a company that manufactures wetsuits. Keith has instructed beginners to professionals, including hockey legend, Garry “Mr. Blue” Unger, Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame skier, Glen Plake and Dave Ramsey, host of the Dave Ramsey Show.
Keith holds eleven National titles, two World titles and has set nine world records. He is a recipient of the Banana George Blair “Barefooter of the Year” award and two International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation “Male Athlete of the Year” awards.
Keith provides instructional barefoot water ski clinics all over the world. Follow him on Twitter, @keithstonge to track him on his summer tour, “Barefooting Across America.”
