Speed on the water: Southland junior Carter Schmitz skims over the waves
Published 9:21 pm Friday, August 17, 2018
- Southland’s Carter Schmitz barefoot skis this summer. Photo Provided
ADAMS — To say Carter Schmitz has a flair for the dramatic would probably be an understatement.
When Schmitz, who will be a junior at Southland this fall, was sustained an injury last season, he filled up his time by dressing up in red, white and blue as a mascot for the Rebels. Carter also shows plenty of emotion when he’s on the football field or basketball court for Southland, but it’s a sport he does away from the school where he becomes a true showman.
Ever since he was three years old, Carter has been involved in all types of water skiing competitions. He’s competed in show skiing, swivel skiing, bare foot skiing and even pyramid skiing with his family, which has been in the Rochester Ski Club since 1998 – three years before Carter was born. Besides being involved in competitions, Carter is comfortable with just throwing on a pair of jean shorts and getting behind the boat at his family’s cabin on Lake Zumbro. While barefooted, Carter provides a variety of front flips, back flips and spins as the boat speeds on.

Southland junior Carter Schmitz is hoping to have a big season for the Rebels this season. Schmitz has also stayed active in water skiing since he was three-years old. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
“It’s a little crazy. You’ve got to be a showman when people are looking at you. It’s just fun to do and people like to see it,” Carter said. “I was born into a family of skiers. It was natural for me to come into it and do what the family did. A lot of good teachers helped me learn how to do it at such a young age. It gets us all together and we all go to shows together.”
Carter’s older brother Travis and his older sister Madi both skiied before him, so it was natural when he began skiing at age three. Carter’s dad Bill Schmitz said it’s much easier for kids to learn to barefoot ski than it is for adults.
“My wife was running practices, and Carter was out on the dock watching. He was also in the boat when his older brother was bare footing,” Bill said. “He actually learned how to barefoot ski before he could ski on two skis. It’s easier to learn at a young age, because you don’t have to go so fast. A grown adult has to go 40 miles per hour and a small kid can get up at 25 miles per hour. The falls are a lot less painful and it’s a lot more fun for them.”
Carter competed in a national jumping competition in Janesville, Wis. four years ago where he finished in ninth place against much more experienced competitors. He learned that there is a lot for him to learn at that competition, but Carter has never been discouraged.
“I’ve developed a passion for it and it’s never stopped,” Carter said. “It’s something I’ve done my whole life and it’s an add-on to the other sports I do. In skiing, it’s more of an action sport and you’re trying to see who can do the better trick. You kind of cheer each other on. I believe it helps me in other sports. You become aware of your surroundings at all times and you become a better athlete.”
Carter enjoys competing on skis, but he also likes competing with his family. The sport has brought the Schmitz family closer together over the years.
“My wife and I helped out with the shows and taught skiers early on, before we knew it, we’d been in the ski club for 20 years,” Bill said. “It’s a sport that the family does together. It keeps us close as a family.”