If you enjoy color, drama and family friendly fun, the Tampa Bay Ski Show Team’s weekly offering may be right up your alley.
The setting is at a lake in Oldsmar, where parking is free, you can bring your own picnic, and there are shaded bleachers and picnic tables. There’s no admission charge, either, although free-will donations are accepted.
(Fred Bellet)
The shows are offered on Tower Lake, at 130 Burbank Road in Oldsmar, every Saturday, from March through October.
The pre-show, which starts at 5:30 p.m., features younger skiers. The theme show, which begins at 6 p.m., showcases more experienced performers.
More than 200 spectators, who showed up one recent Saturday night, saw barefoot skiing, slalom skiing, swivel skiing, water ballet, jumps, ensembles, pyramids and acrobatics.
Boats zipped across the water, picking up performers at docks on either end of the lake — providing a fast-paced show, which the crowd obviously enjoyed.
As skiers hit the water, announcer Peter Fernandez provided a running commentary.
Fernandez, of Lutz, joined the team in the early 1990s. He shared insights gleaned from decades of experience.
When four barefoot skiers zipped across the water, Fernandez said:
“Smokin’ — that’s what I’m talking about folks.
“When skiers are skiing barefoot across the water, the boat speeds up to about 40 mph.”
As two young boys finished their act, Fernandez observed:
“One of the hardest things you can learn as a skier is getting over the wakes. They got over it with ease.”
When an ensemble glided by, he noted: “They float over the water so gracefully, a thing of beauty to watch.”
Skiers gave the crowd a few thrills, too. One soared high above the water on a Sky Ski; another employed a ski jump to propel over the lake — demonstrating daring acrobatic skills.
Skiers who created pyramids gave viewers a chance to see strength, precision and teamwork in action.
Throughout the show, Fernandez entertained the crowd, offering kernels of information about the sport of water skiing, individual skiers and their acts.
At one point, Fernandez asked for a show of hands of first-timers in the crowd. As hands shot up, he informed them they were “newbies.”
Then he asked repeat attenders to raise their hands, and as they did, he called them “groupies.”
Sandra Gordon, a self-proclaimed groupie, was there to watch her sons, Clint, Brent and Brian.
“I love the beautiful show and the beautiful costumes,” she said.
Kayla Miller, who is Clint’s girlfriend, accompanied Gordon. “I come out to support Clint,” Miller said.
Show team members hail from such places as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Seminole, Odessa, Lake Keystone, Lake Padgett, New Port Richey and Winter Haven.
Many skiers come from families who have been involved with the team for generations.
The team traces it roots to the late 1950s and to a group called the Tampa Ski Bees, according to a club historical account.
The Ski Bees merged with a Lake Keystone group in 1977 to become George’s Ski and Social Club in Odessa. The team continued to grow throughout the 1980s — traveling throughout the South to perform at water ski shows and take part in competitions.
The club voted to change its name in 1987 to the U.S. Water Ski Show Team, and by 1991 had become better known as the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, the account says.
Beyond earning accolades, the team’s camaraderie is apparent.
Team members said that’s because everyone can play a role, whether on the water or not.
You don’t have one kid on the field while the rest of the family sits in the stands watching,” said Lisa Stephens, a team volunteer.
“We’re all involved, and we have a mixture of members.
“Some adults have kids who ski in the shows, and the adults are the volunteers helping with concessions or laundry or sound, etc.
“Then we have some adult members who don’t have kids out there and just enjoy being part of the club. So they come out weekly to help on land, where needed.
“We have some senior members who had kids who skied on our team years ago, and the parents just keep coming back even though their children have moved away, etc.
“We really are a family out there,” Stephens said.
If you go
Ski showThe Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team holds weekly public performances on Saturday evenings, from the beginning of Daylight Savings Time until it ends (March through October).
Where: Tower Lake, at 130 Burbank Road in Oldsmar
When: Saturday pre-show at 5:30 p.m.; theme show, 6 p.m.
Cost: Free (Donations are accepted)
Details: The pre-show features younger skiers; the theme show features experienced performers. The shows are entertaining, offering barefooted skiers, water ballet acts, jumps, pyramids and acrobatics. There are shaded bleachers and picnic tables. Concessions are available for purchase, but spectators also are welcome to bring coolers and picnics. There’s also room to sit near the lake’s edge, if spectators bring their own chairs.
Information: TampaWaterSki.com
Published July 19, 2017
