Inspirational Professional Speaking

Hello, I'm Hank Longo, a National Water Ski Jump Champion and a passionate storyteller committed to inspiring others. My journey in sports and life has taught me the value of chasing dreams and the power of believing in oneself. As a professional speaker, my mission is to ignite that same spirit of incredible potential in every audience.

Having performed record-setting stunts and being a part of the exciting world of water skiing, I bring a unique blend of entertainment, motivation, and recognition of achievements to every event I emcee. I would be thrilled to bring this energy and inspiration to your school or organization, enlightening and engaging your audience with stories of perseverance and success.

If you're looking for a speaker who can captivate, motivate, and leave a lasting impact, I'd love to be a part of your next event. Let's work together to inspire and celebrate the incredible potential in all of us. Please feel free to reach out to me for an unforgettable speaking experience.

One of my best friends Brent Larsen, from Madison, Wisconsin, was a National Water Ski Jump Champion, whom I competed with. Brent and his wife Leslie had two identical twin girls Britt and Tawn. At age 6 Britt and Tawn learned to water ski and Brent retired from competitive water skiing to put all his focus and energy into training Britt and Tawn; he logged every practice session with their progression. Their goal was to one day be the best women trick skiers in the world. Every opportunity he had Brent would load the girls and equipment in his van and drive down to Florida to train with the best coaches in the world. By the time Britt and Tawn were young teenagers they had become the best women trick skiers in the world.

That’s when it hit me! Kids have the ability to be the best at something, that doesn’t have to be sports, but a dream they want to make come true, something they are passionate about, if they are mentored and educated to accomplish the skills required to make their dream a reality.

If mentored and coached properly, like Britt and Tawn were, kids have the ability to excel in their field and be the best in the world. Another great example of this are girl gymnasts, at a very young age these athletes can execute the most highly skilled athletic maneuvers under such intense mental and physical pressure and perform to perfection with the whole world watching is simply AMAZING!

Look at what kids can do on a computer!

It was with that revelation that inspired me to create an educational program that would teach kids who didn’t have the mentoring and coaching, like Britt and Tawn, the lessons to believe in themselves and to make their dreams come true and SOAR!

Hank’s passion for education and helping kids inspired Hank to write his book “Soar and Make Your Dreams Come True,” approved by the Polk County, Florida School Board and the Orlando Catholic Schools. As a motivational speaker Hank’s mission and passion is to help people make their dreams a reality.

Hank began public speaking announcing water ski tournaments, for his ski club the Lake Oakland Ski Demons, when he was in the Boy’s Division. Hank instantly found a passion for being a public speaker. Hank pursued his dream graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech Communications from Eastern Michigan University; where he concentrated on television, radio and storytelling.

Since then Hank has spent his entire life pursuing his passion for public speaking. Hanks expertise entails producing television shows, hosting television shows, interviewing guests, creating and producing radio commercials and radio talk show host. As a television show host, Hank has had the privilege of interviewing some of the best athletes in the world. Hank’s most famous production was for ABC’s “That’s Incredible!,” when Hank set a World Stunt Record water ski jumping over 14 MasterCraft ski boats. (Video on home page in Lesson 1) Hank currently produces special segments for Polk County, Florida’s PGTV along with YouTube Promotional Productions for businesses.​

Hank has announced more water ski tournaments then anyone in the United States and has been the Chief Announcer for more National Water Ski Championships then anyone in the sport. Hank wrote the “Announcer Manual and Guidelines” for the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Association. Hank has announced the most prestigious professional water ski tournaments in the United States.​

Hank has the privilege every year to be the interviewer for the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame Inductees. Hank also has the privilege of being the Master of Ceremonies for the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies and the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Annual Awards Banquet.

Hank has also been a licensed announcer by the State of Florida Boxing Commission. Hank is a ring announcer and interviewer for amateur and professional MMA Events, amateur boxing and grappling events. Hank is also a professional wrestling ring announcer and interviewer. Three of Hank’s most cherished interviews were with four of his favorite friends, Professional Wrestling Super Star, Curt “Mr. Perfect” Hennig, WBC, IBF World Boxing Champion Andre Berto and World Champions and Water Ski Hall of Fame Inductees Tawn & Britt Larsen.

Master of Ceremonies
USA WATER SKI & WAKE SPORTS Awards Ceremony.

USA WATER SKI & WAKE SPORTS Foundation Hall Of Fame Ceremony