Dave Goode - Innovative manufacturer

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Passing Date

The founder and president of Goode Ski Technologies, Dave Goode was killed January 15 when his twin-engine Cessna 310 crashed while on approach to the Ogden, Utah airport. He was 64.

A gifted athlete, Dave was an accomplished skier and water skier. He graduated from Andover High School in Bloomfield, Michigan in 1973. At age 19, his career as a downhiller was cut short by an ankle injury, and the following year he founded Ski Accessories Co. to manufacture his own product designs. Over the years he took out 20 patents. He pioneered the use of carbon fiber, first for ski poles, which earned him a market-leading position in the rental business, and then in water skis, where his lightweight competition slalom ski revolutionized the sport. For two decades, Goode was a leading sponsor of water skiing competitions, and athletes using Goode slalom skis held numerous world records. As a manufacturer of alpine skis, Goode was unique in producing a 100 percent carbon fiber product line.

Goode relocated his business to Ogden, Utah in 2004. He was inducted into the Michigan Water Ski Hall of Fame in 2011, and in 2014 was presented the USA Water Ski Award of Distinction. He remained a competitive athlete, winning the 2018 U.S. Alpine Masters Speed Series championship in his age group, and bronze medal in trick skiing in his age group at the 2019 Pan American Water Ski Championships.