Posted Friday, July 8, 2011 --- 6:35 a.m.
This weekend, the Tommy Bartlett water ski show in Wisconsin Dells will feature a very special guest. Catherine Dozier will be celebrating her 50th birthday by fulfilling her lifelong dream.
Most of the skiers in the Tommy Bartlett show are in their late teens and early 20's. Dozier may be old enough to be their mother, but watching them train you can tell, she fits right in.
“I'm fulfilling a life long dream,”
Catherine Dozier is on a mission.
“When I was a teenager, I always wanted to ski in the Tommy Bartlett show,” said Dozier.
The 49-year-old mother from Atlanta is celebrating a milestone birthday this weekend.
“I'll be 50 Sunday,”
She'll also be performing in front of thousands.
“It's been a real learning curve for her,” said general manager and co-owner Tom Diehl
Dozier sent Diehl an email expressing her desire to hit the water. It took some convincing, but Tom jumped on board.
“You know, I think she's just a real self-driven human being and this has been her desire, that she wanted to be able to ski in a professional water ski show and what better time than when you're 50 years old?” said Diehl.
Catherine says so far, training has been pretty tough. She actually injured her wrist a little bit but she says no matter what she'll be ready to go on Saturday.
“It's gone great, I've got a ton of bruises and don't you know these kid's shoulders have taken a beating by me climbing all over them but all the kids have been terrific,” added Dozier.
Dozier describes herself as a recreational skier, but gives all the credit to her teammates who have helped her along the way.
“Because they are family and...sorry...they have totally embraced me as one of the family,” said Dozier getting emotional.
“The skiers love her, she loves the skiers. Everyday she brings lunch down for them. She's quite a unique human being,” said Diehl.
Diehl says she is living proof that you're never too old to learn new tricks.
“When you put your mind to something and you set a goal and that's what she's done. I think she's been an inspiration for all of our staff of 150 people,”
Her goal is to climb to the top of the skiing pyramid. She did it in practice but if she can't achieve it on Saturday, at least she had fun along the way.
“It's not about the final destination, it's about the journey getting there and that's really been the case.
Just say your prayers and cheer for me!” said Dozier.
If you want to catch Catherine's performance, show times are at 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm on Saturday in Wisconsin Dells.
She has family and friends coming in from all over the country to watch her ski.
Catherine mentioned the other skiers feel like family, well that's appropriate because they gave her the nickname “grandma”.
