Will Asher: From Collegiate Champion to World Champion

Will Asher has earned his place in the NCWSA Hall of Fame through an exceptional career defined by dedication to water skiing and commitment to his team. When Will Asher was recruited to the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2002, he entered the collegiate ranks as a much-heralded phenom, a junior champion on the world stage. Will quickly became immersed in the NCWSA spirit however, often citing his collegiate national performances as the hardest fought, most important moments in his now legendary professional career.

His collegiate water skiing career had some notable achievements including:

Collegiate National Men’s Slalom Champion 2002 & 2003 (podium finishes all four years)
2003 NCWSA Nationals placed 2nd alongside his brother, Tom, who placed 1st in jump
Held the Collegiate Men’s Slalom Record of 3.5@41’ off (2003) for over two decades
Collegiate National Overall Men’s Champion 2005

Will Asher set the NCWSA Men’s Slalom Record in October of 2003 at the NCWSA Nationals tournament. The tournament was hosted at the Aquaplex in Austin, Texas. Will was skiing for the University of Louisiana – Lafayette when he set the record of 117 total buoys by getting 3.5 buoys at 41′ off. Original video by Brian Paul Ansel.

While the longest standing collegiate record in history alone would likely get Will the nod, it is what collegiate skiing truly meant to him however that makes him a stand out. He often cites his years at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as very impactful years of his life, as a skier and more importantly as a man.

In the past when he reflected on his time with the NCWSA Will said, “Getting the college record was a pretty neat experience, and it is an honor to hold it. The bigger picture was winning Nationals as a team: collegiate skiing is all about the team, working together to achieve a common goal. College taught me a lot about myself, and I had a lot of fun in the process. I would do it all again exactly the same way.”

While it is special to Will to have held the slalom record for over two decades, he was always more focused team points and team momentum. His commitment to his team, and to pouring every ounce of his talent and focus into his collegiate career encapsulates everything beautiful and unique about the NCWSA. For Will, his collegiate accolades are not a footnote to an illustrious career but serve as the foundation to everything he has achieved since.

Written with help of Trent Finlayson | UL Lafayette 2001-2004

2009: “Recently we got a chance to spend a day with World Class water skier Will Asher. What an amazing time documenting such an incredible athlete. Travel with Will through his day and meet the people he spends his time with.”

Pro Career

Asher became a pro water skier in 2004 and has continued to be an impactful skier in the world of water skiing. As he progressed from a collegiate athlete to a pro in his 40s, he’s remained competitive thanks to a strong mindset and training focused on longevity. His pro career is highly decorated, including being both a World Champion and Masters Champion multiple times. In 2024 he was the 2024 Water Ski Pro Tour Champion!

2025: “In Episode 3 of Soul of Skiing, FlowPointTV and HO Skis take you Beyond the Wins with Will Asher—arguably the most enduring and impactful figure in modern water skiing…”

As a member of Team Syndicate he is part of a team of elite skiers. However, his focus extends beyond the scorebooks to the feel of the ski and how to craft the perfect ski as a part of the HO Skis design team.

“A two-time World Champion and one of the most accomplished athletes in the sport, Asher continues to define excellence in professional slalom skiing. A consistent force on the Water Ski Pro Tour and a proven winner on the world stage, his precision, longevity and pursuit of innovation remain unmatched. As Syndicate heads into 2026, Asher’s influence both competitively and technically continues to raise the bar for the entire team.”