Updated May 30th, 2023

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Wisconsin may not be known as a top destination in the USA, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of things to do in Wisconsin. Did you know that the Wisconsin Dells is the waterpark capital of the world? Every summer growing up I would go to at least one waterpark in the Dells with friends and family. 

While I have known for years that Wisconsin has the best waterparks around, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I discovered water skiing in Wisconsin. I never knew that I was born in the “Show Ski Capital of the World”! I quickly discovered that attending Wisconsin water ski shows is one of the best ways to spend summers in the Midwest.

What are Water Ski Shows?

My whole life I have loved dancing, shows, and all things water. If you put those three things together, what do you get? A water ski show! In the Midwest they began in the 1950s and 1960s. While there are professional ski shows around the country, most are performed by amateur clubs. Today there are more amateur show ski clubs in Wisconsin than any other state!

The shows take water skiing to a theatrical level! Most include different types of show skiing such as, swivel skiing, strap doubles, freestyle jumping, and human pyramids, all choreographed to music and a theme or a story. Many follow familiar story lines like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Monsters Inc. Other shows take a more unique spin, such as Cirque du Lake or a Halloween Party.

The weekly Wisconsin Water Ski Shows are similar to the shows each team will perform at competitions. The shows move quickly with the entertainment between the water ski acts. At competitions there are no intermissions, but at the home shows there is typically a 10 or 15 minute intermission. During this time club members come around to collect donations. It’s also a good time to purchase a snack. 

Most teams stop performing their full shows in August after the National Championships. The last few shows in August include all the water skiing, but not the full costumes, storyline, and props. 

Water Ski Shows in Wisconsin

I can’t believe I never heard of all the free water ski shows in Wisconsin or thought about going to one. In 2019 my step-mom suggested we go to the Rock Aqua Jays water ski show in Janesville. It was the first water skiing show I ever went to and certainly was not my last! 

Although you will see some impressive water skiing at all the shows, each one is a little different. Read on for tips on attending the different water ski shows in Wisconsin and all the important information like parking, seating, food, and bathrooms.

Before attending a show, please double check the location and dates in case of any changes or cancellations. Most teams will not perform shows July 20th – 23rd during the Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships. Some teams have special July 4th shows and some have junior teams performing before the main show time. Several teams will attend the National Ski Show Championships from August 11th – 13th in Warsaw, IN. 

Rock Aqua Jays – Janesville

 

The Rock Aqua Jays was the first water ski show I ever attended, and boy did they set the bar high! They are a Division I water ski team that has won the national championships 21 times! The team is truly impressive at all aspects of water skiing. Probably their biggest claim to fame is their human pyramids. I was lucky enough to see a 5 high pyramid at the show I attended!

Where: Janesville, WI – RAJ stadium along the Rock River at Traxler Park. (600 N Main St)

Parking: Free parking in the Traxler Park parking lot

Show Times: Wednesday and Sunday nights at 7pm from Memorial Day weekend to Labor day weekend. 

Seating: Bleacher seating. The bleachers are pretty large so you shouldn’t have a problem finding somewhere to sit. The top row is great if you want somewhere to lean your back against, but the front rows get you closer to the action of course. The left bleachers (while facing the water) are closer to where the skiers take off. The announcer stands more in front of the right bleachers.

You can sit across the river in your own lawn chairs or on blankets, but then you won’t be able to hear the show or have access to the toilets or food.

Toilets: There is a bathroom building at the park, but it was closed during summer 2019. Two port-a-potties are nearby. Unfortunately they were dirty, out of toilet paper, and had long lines.

Food: A concession stand and on some nights local food trucks. Look for the food truck nights on the schedule.

Mad-City Ski Team – Madison

The Mad-City ski team is another Division I winning team. They took a very close 2nd place in Nationals last year (2022). Many of the water ski teams put on great shows, but I love the elaborate shows by the Mad-City team. Last year they created a fun show about a Halloween party. It was announced by a father and daughter and full of Dad jokes. 

Where: Madison, WI – Law Park near the Monona Terrace (410 S Blair St)

Parking: A small parking lot is located near Law Park. There are also several paid parking garages around the capital.

Show Times: Every Sunday night from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. The junior team performs at 5:15pm and the main team at 6pm.

Seating: There are a couple of bleachers, but they fill up quickly. You can bring blankets or chairs to sit nearby, but it is hard to see and hear the land portion of the show if you sit too far away. I recommend arriving early to get a good seat.

Toilets: There are several fairly clean & well-stocked porta potties.

Food: Metcalfs is often at the shows selling brats. One of the sponsors, Bubbler, was giving away free samples at the show I attended. There are many places to eat downtown before or after the show. Be aware that on Sundays some places are closed.

Aquanuts – Twin Lakes

 The Aquanuts is also a star Division I team. Last year they took first place overall at the state championships and national finals.  They are known for their jumping tricks and precision ballet line! I watched their show in August so didn’t catch their full theatrical performance, but due to their consistent high rankings I am sure it is awesome every year. I would have loved to see their Mary Poppins themed show last year. 

Where: Twin Lakes, WI – Lance Park

Parking: Free parking lot

Show Times: Every Wednesday and Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Shows begin at 6pm.

Seating: There are rows of inclined bench seating.

Toilets: Bathrooms are one step up from those in Tomahawk! A clean bathroom building!

Food: Concession stand

Beaverland Must-Skis

This Division I team didn’t place as high as the three above, but I was still wowed by their skiing. They nailed their pyramids in the show I attended and pulled off some really long barefoot skiing loops.

Where: Beaver Dam – Tahoe Park

Parking: Free parking lot

Show Times: Sundays 6pm

Seating: There are two sets of bleachers. Most people bring their own lawn chairs so there is plenty of seating.

Toilets: One single person bathroom stall that often had a line and two port-a-potties that weren’t quite as popular.

Food: Concession stand with burgers and brats some nights. 

Min-Aqua Bats – Minocqua, WI

Not only do the Min-Aqua Bats have a very clever name, they also put on an impressive show. They are the oldest continually running water ski show in Wisconsin. Many of the acts performed in water ski shows across the country originated with the Min-Aqua Bats.

The Min-Aqua Bats perform many of their original acts in every show, as well as new inventions. As their name implies they really are acrobats on water. While pyramids, ballet lines, and swivel skiing are part of their show, overall the show seemed to include a lot of barefoot skiing, jumps, and daring acts. They even attempted a 12 person group jump over a 14 foot wide ramp! Other unique acts included skiing on a ladder, a chair ski, and on canoe paddles!

Many of the Wisconsin water ski teams include a lot of children and young adults. Another thing that makes the Min-Aqua Bats really unique is their team is compromised and run only by students. The main team is mostly high school to college aged students.

Where: Minocqua, WI – Lake Minocqua (between the Thirsty Whale and the Boathouse)

Parking: Free parking lot. It fills up quickly so you may need to park on side streets or at the post office parking lot near the Bearskin Trailhead Park. 

Show Times: Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 7pm

Seating: Ample bleacher seating on both sides of their boat building. You don’t want to sit too close to the building as it will block your view. The middle/far right bleacher seating (while looking at the water) was perfect. A lot of people watch the show from their boat in the water as well.

Toilets: 3 port-a-potties in the parking lot. There is a restroom building about .2 miles away at the Bearskin Trailhead Park.

Food: Concession stand

Kwahamots – Tomahawk

The Kwahamots are a Division II water ski team. They didn’t have a theme or story to their show when I attended in August. 

They did include some awesome barefoot skiing though! From the sand one skier took off barefoot, digging up mud as he flew away. Another skier jumped off a 5 foot platform over the water. Both skiers managed to take off, ski, and land on their bare feet! 

Where: Tomahawk, WI – Kwahamot Bay along the Wisconsin River

Parking: Roadside parking along the park

Show Times: Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Shows begin at 7:30pm

Seating: Plenty of seating for everyone on rows of benches without backs. The left side (while facing the water) will give you the best view of the skiers taking off (they do sometimes take off from the far right platform as well). The center will give you the best view of the announcer and when the skiers dance and are introduced on the land.

Toilets: An actual bathroom building.

Food: Concession stand

Aqua Devils – Three Lakes, WI

Even though the Aqua Devils have a younger, smaller team, they put on a wonderful show along the beautiful Big Stone Lake. This Division III team may be small, but they sure know how to ski.  There wasn’t a theme or a story to the performance, but there were a variety of acts.

Many Wisconsin water ski shows have visitors from all over attend, but the Aqua Devils seemed to have a local audience. They give out a glossy book with information about each skier on the team. While the audience seemed more local, many of their skiers come from around the country.

Where: Three Lakes, WI – Phyllis B Felland Memorial Water Ski Park (854 Golf Course Loop)

Parking: Parking lot and grass parking along the street to the park.

Show Times: Wednesdays & Saturdays 6:30pm

Seating: Several short sets of bleachers.

Toilets: A log cabin looking bathroom building.

Food: Concession stand

More Water Ski Shows in Wisconsin

Despite my new found obsession with water ski shows, there are still many more water ski shows I want to watch. Whether you live in Wisconsin or are planning a Midwest vacation you are sure to find a show near you this summer. I’m hoping I can add a few more to my list this year!

Aqua Skiers – Wisconsin Rapids, WI 

• Thursdays 6pm 
• Division I

Badgerland Must- Skis –  Waukesha, WI 

• Okauchee Shows Tuesdays 6:30pm or Fowler Park shows Thursdays 7pm 
• Division I

Badwater Ski-ters – Florence, WI

• Wednesdays & Sundays 6pm 
• Division II

Blue Spring Lake Ski Club – Palmyra, WI

• Sundays 6pm

Browns Lake Aquaducks – Burlington, WI

• Thursdays (show time varies) 
• Division II

Chain Skiers – Waupaca, WI

• Sundays 3pm

Chain Skimmers – Eagle River, WI

• Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 7pm 
• Division III

Chetek Hydroflites – Chetek, WI

• Sundays 6pm 
• Division I

Crivitz Ski Cats – Crivitz, WI

• Wednesdays & Saturdays 6:30pm
• Division II

Pewaukee Lake – Pewaukee, WI

• Thursdays 6:45pm (6:20pm in August) 

Plum Ski-ters – Sayner, WI

• Wednesdays & Saturdays 6:45pm 
• Division II

River City – Lacrosse, WI

• Wednesdays 7pm 

Ski Sharks – Shawano, WI

• Wednesdays 6pm 

Shermalot Ski Team – Nekoosa, WI 

• Saturdays 6:30pm (a couple Wednesday night shows) 
• Division II

Skiing Skeeters – Manitowish Waters, WI

• Wednesdays & Saturdays 7pm 

Ski Sprites – Altoona, WI

• Sundays & Wednesdays 6:30pm
• Parking $5

Southern Wakes United – Whitewater & Elkhorn, WI 

• Saturdays Whitewater Lake 7pm, Fridays Lauderdale Lakes 6pm (some additional show locations as well) 
• Division III

Twin Bridge – Crivitz, WI

• Thursdays & Saturdays 6:30pm

Waterboard Warriors – Wrightstown, WI

• Tuesdays & Thursdays 7pm (6:30pm in August)

WaterBugs – Muskego, WI

• Wednesdays 6:30pm
• Division II

Water Walkers – Wausau & Mosinee, WI

• Tuesdays 6:30pm Lake Wausau, Thursdays 6:30pm Lake Dubay 

Webfooters – Fremont, WI

• Wednesdays & Sundays 6pm 
• Division I

Looks like I have a big task in front of me to go to every water ski show in Wisconsin! 

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