He’s one of the best barefoot water skiiers in history, but Zenon Bilas wasn’t sure whether he could make a comeback after more than a dozen years off the water. The seven-time national champion is now 50 years old but tells Growing Bolder, “I have no age.”

He never really left the industry, instead spending his time focusing the spotlight on other skiiers, including “Banana” George Blair. Now, Wendy Chioji jumps in the boat to see if Bilas still has what it takes to climb the national ranks himself.