Familiar performers honor tradition at the 58th Wisconsin State Water Ski Show

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAW) – If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, head out to Red Sands Beach in Wisconsin Rapids for the annual State Water Ski Show. It’s the world’s largest water ski tournament and it’s right here in north central Wisconsin.

This is the 58th year of the Wisconsin State Water Ski Show. The event brings back several performers every year. Including the Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers.

Before this weekend, these performers are putting in hours of work.

“Pick music, select dances, they write the script,” Wisconsin Rapids Water Ski Show Co-Director Katie Ness said. “It’s endless and endless hours, and it’s not for profit. We’re here because we love it.”

The three-day tournament welcomes 24 teams to compete across three divisions. They also perform on dry land to bring back the history of water skiing.

Ness says it’s to remind everyone where show skiing originated from.

“There are still professional teams, there’s just not as many. It’s important to highlight the history of that,” Wisconsin Rapids Water Ski Show Co-Director Jordan Moon said.

The event also welcomes many returning teams again this year.

“It’s just such an amazing tournament, it’s a great location, we just love it here,” Aqua Nut Water Shows President Bob Koehler said. “And it’s such a good time. It’s the biggest water ski tournament in the world. What started up in this area honestly was Tommy Bartlett.”

That feeling of the crowd cheering them on is a rewarding feeling competitors won’t forget.

“Once you come to stage and hear everyone cheering for you, especially those that may no longer be on the team, but are past Aqua Skier members, or just past ski family, it’s a great feeling,” Ness explained. “It gives you goosebumps.”

Organizers and performers alike say the best part of it all is seeing the rewarding feeling in the end and seeing the smiles on people’s faces.

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