For 8-time USA Barefoot Waterskiing champion, Zenon Bilas, life is a circle.
Bilas, 58, started skiing on tiny, Round Lake, Ilinois, outside of Chicago. It was on those shores that the local Ukrainian immigrant community, to which Bilas’ parents belonged, purchased land for recreation. “Dad took us fishing,” recalled, Bilas. “Fishing led to a boat, and a boat led to an outboard and the outboard – a 7.5 hp Evinrude – led to skiing.”
Now, 45 years later, the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Horsham, Pennsylvania, is honoring Bilas, along with other athletic luminaries, by naming him an inductee for 2020.
In an interview, Bilas said that he was proud of his Ukrainian heritage and wished to continue skiing, speaking and spreading the word about the great value of boating and watersports.
“I want to keep promoting the sport, skiing and speaking to experienced boaters and the general public alike. I am a teacher and sharing through an article or a seminar or a on on one instruction makes me happy.”
Bilas has appeared in film, TV and penned innumerable magazine articles, many for BOATING. In fact, his byline will next appear in our June-July 2021 issue.
Check out some Zenon Bilas articles!
Congratulations, Zenon!
For more information about Zenon Bilas, or to schedule a seminar, speech or lesson, visit: zenonbilas.com.
