Gym Class #12: Free or Pay, 5 Free Water Ski Shows

Audience, Photo by Krenda

Waterskiing takes me back to childhood memories growing up in Wisconsin, surrounded by lakes.  My family moved north from the Quad Cities (Iowa/Illinois) to Wisconsin.  I thought we lived quite far north.  However, we would ask neighbors and friends about weekend plans and they would most likely respond "we are going Up North".  It seemed like everyone owned a cabin and boat further north.  I always appreciated invites to a cabin weekend, especially when the family had a boat that could take us water skiing.

Waterskiing has many categories including 1) show skiing, 2) wakeboarding, 3) barefooting, 4) ski racing, 5) hydrofoiling, 6) kneeboarding, 7) slalom, trick, and jump skiing, and 8) adaptive skiing.  My parents took us to the Tommy Bartlett show to see the professional water ski show.  If you have tried skiing, it gives even more appreciation for those who can do tricks.  It felt difficult enough to have the muscle to hold on and stay standing.

I grew up in the right place to appreciate skiing.  The United States has strong show teams.  The USA Water Ski Show Team won the Show Ski World Championships.  Wisconsin earns the title "Show Ski Capital of the World" and holds the largest water ski tournament in the world "Wisconsin State Water Ski Championship."

Some ski shows such as those at Sea World and Cypress Gardens disappeared.  However, the Tommy Bartlett Show still impresses audiences today with it's high energy, high skill shows.  It will cost your family to attend.  Adult tickets cost approximately $21.50 and child tickets cost approximately $12.50.

Good news that you can inspire your kids with a ski show and it might cost you nothing.  We went to the Backwater Gamblers show in Rock Island, IL (Quad Cities) on the Mississippi River.  The National Geographic book 100 Places That Can Change Your Child's Life lists Mississippi River as a must see place and claims waterskiing was invented on the Mississippi River in 1922.  We clapped loudly for the ramp tricks, boat tricks, and impressive human pyramids.  Plus we gave donations and bought concessions.  Here's four other free shows you should consider attending:

1.  Aquanut Water Shows; Lance Park in Twin Lakes, WI (close to IL border), Wed. & Sat. 6PM Memorial to Labor Day
Sponsored by Twin Lakes Marine and Gage Marine; show began in 1973 and now the 2018 National Show Ski Ballet Line Champions, contact them for Learn to Ski opportunities in July and August
2.  Chetek Hydroflites Water Ski Show Team; Chetek, WI (Northwest Wisconsin); Thur. & Sun summer shows
3.  Min-Aqua Bat Water Ski Shows; Minocqua, WI, Sun/Wed./Fri. night in summer
One of the oldest show teams in the U.S., club began in 1950
4.  Waterboard Warriors Water Ski Show; Wrightstown, WI (near Green Bay/Fox Valley); Tue & Thur. Memorial to Labor Day

If your child becomes so enthusiastic that they want to learn to ski, consider a ski school: 1) Bass Cove Ski School (Central Lake MI), 2) Barefoot Brothers Water Ski School (Alva, FL), 3) Collier County Water Ski Center (Naples, FL).