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The Story
In the world of competitive barefoot waterskiing, every second counts. Pursuit follows elite athletes Ben and Ashleigh Groen as they chase the ultimate prize—the overall title at the 2024 Barefoot World Championships. From intense training sessions, travel clinics, coaching the next generation at the World Barefoot Center, and becoming new parents, their journey is one of dedication, sacrifice, and sheer determination. But just as the biggest competition of the year begins, nature has other plans. Hurricane Milton barrels toward the championships, throwing the event into chaos and testing the athletes like never before. With fierce competition and the unpredictable force of nature standing in their way, they must give everything they’ve got to beat their competitors. When the storm clears, who will claim barefoot gold?
The Vision
Pursuit takes a look behind-the-scenes at the moments that capture the emotional journey of the Ben and Ashleigh. Pursuit uses storytelling with intimate interviews from Ben, Ashleigh, their coach and mentors, to dive into their mindset and personal lives while they prepare for the 2024 Barefoot World Championships. Cinematic visuals, which showcase the beauty and intensity of barefoot waterskiing, coupled with the high-stakes tension of the competition, pull the vision together.
The Director
Pursuit is being shot, directed, and edited by Jake Snider. Jake has grown up on the water and has been waterskiing and barefooting as long as he can remember. Jake moved from Illinois to Florida in the summer of 2013 to chase his dream of being a water sports filmmaker. He got his start helping Sean Kilgus on a film called Prime, filming some of the best wakeboarders in the world. Jake has spent the last 12 years working on many short films, and commercial work in the boating industry as a full time freelancer. Pursuit is a passion project, and he is pouring everything he has into it, to make it the best barefoot waterskiing movie to date.
The Impact
Pursuit will show the dedication and sacrifices that go into professional water sports. We want to bring attention to barefoot waterskiing and the World Barefoot Center in an effort to grow the sport and community of amazing people that support barefooting. At it’s core, we hope Pursuit motivates others to persevere through adversity, stay determined, and relentlessly pursue their dreams.
The Timeline
Production for Pursuit is well underway. We are currently in post production with a few shoot days left to happen in June and July. The first opportunity to see the film will be during the Barefoot Nationals at the end of July where we are planning to have a premier showing of Pursuit. More to come on details for the premier.
Fundraising
We are seeking to raise money to finalize bringing Pursuit to life. Your financial support will directly contribute to essential production costs, including crew, equipment rentals, travel, music licensing, lodging, and meals. This backing will ensure we capture the highest-quality footage and tell this incredible story with the depth and impact it deserves. All donors will receive recognition in the credits of the film by having their name appear in the end credits.
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you are a brand or business, we have a range of sponsorship opportunities available. These opportunities range from prominent logo placement in the film, credits, trailer, and promotional materials, to having your sponsored products featured in the documentary (e.g., gear, apparel, accessories) to ensure your company will not go unnoticed. Please reach out if you are interested in sponsoring Pursuit and we can chat further about sponsorship opportunities.
With a collective Instagram following of over 40,000, we will leverage our social media reach to generate excitement and visibility for the project, ensuring strong exposure for our sponsors.
Partner With Us
We invite you to be a part of this empowering documentary and gain exposure within the thriving barefoot waterskiing community and beyond. By partnering with us, you align your brand with excellence, determination, and a passionate sports culture.
Perks
Sleek, simple, and unmistakably Jake Snider Films. This unisex black tee features a pocket-sized Jake Snider Films logo on the front and the iconic “X” logo making a statement on the back.
- 6 claimed
- 44 remaining
The Pursuit coffee table book is a photographic celebration of one of the world’s most captivating extreme sports. Born from the feature documentary of the same name, this coffee table book showcases the raw beauty, elegance, and intensity of barefoot waterskiing—told entirely through still imagery.
Featuring a striking mix of lake landscapes, high-speed action, and candid behind-the-scenes moments from the film’s production, the Pursuit coffee table book captures the spirit of the sport in every frame. With athletes like Ben and Ashleigh Groen at its center, this collection is both an homage to their craft and a visual love letter to the pursuit of excellence.
Designed for fans of photography, sport, and storytelling through image, this book is an invitation to pause and appreciate the fleeting moments that define a lifetime on the water.
Highlights
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Sleek, simple, and unmistakably Jake Snider Films. This unisex black tee features a pocket-sized Jake Snider Films logo on the front and the iconic “X” logo making a statement on the back.
- 6 claimed
- 44 remaining
The Pursuit coffee table book is a photographic celebration of one of the world’s most captivating extreme sports. Born from the feature documentary of the same name, this coffee table book showcases the raw beauty, elegance, and intensity of barefoot waterskiing—told entirely through still imagery.
Featuring a striking mix of lake landscapes, high-speed action, and candid behind-the-scenes moments from the film’s production, the Pursuit coffee table book captures the spirit of the sport in every frame. With athletes like Ben and Ashleigh Groen at its center, this collection is both an homage to their craft and a visual love letter to the pursuit of excellence.
Designed for fans of photography, sport, and storytelling through image, this book is an invitation to pause and appreciate the fleeting moments that define a lifetime on the water.
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