Show
Ski History
On
July 2, 1922, eighteen
year old Ralph Samuelson of Lake City, Minnesota became the first
person to
water-ski. Soon many of Lake City’s residents flocked to
the shores of
Lake Pepsin to see the world’s first water-ski spectacle.
Six years
later, another water-ski pioneer by the name of Dick Pope Sr. Marveled
an
audience in Miami, Florida when he rode a pair of skis over a slightly
inclined
ramp. This inspired the young man to introduce show skiing to the
now
world-renowned Cypress Gardens.
Now, over 75 years later, show skiing is still considered the most
entertaining
discipline in the sport of water-skiing. A ski show contains
nearly every
phase of the sport including many events that are unique to show
skiing, such
as: adagio, and conventional doubles, ballet, swivel, pyramids, and
multiple
freestyle jumping. Today’s shows combine the theatrics of a
Broadway
Musical with the grace and athletics of water-skiing.
According to USA Water Ski, water-skiing’s official governing
body, there are
only 97 water-ski clubs that are dedicated to show skiing. These
97 clubs
comprise of a total membership of about 7100 individuals. So when
you
enjoy a water-ski show, remember you are witnessing an event that about
only
one in 35,000 Americans are now capable of performing!
More Water-Ski History