National water-ski tournament coming to Shawano

Ski Sharks will serve as hosts for individual, team competitions Aug. 2-4
By: 
Kevin Passon
Editor-in-chief

The Shawano Ski Sharks will host the BankFirst Division 2 National Water-ski Tournament presented by Visit Central Florida on Aug. 2-4.

Individual and team competitions will be held, with events kicking off at 7 a.m. Aug. 2.

“Friday is a full day of individual competitors from swivel skiing, strap doubles, jump, etc.,” said Dave Passehl, Ski Sharks president. “At Division 2, there are more individual disciplines than they run at a D1 tournament. So at this time, we have a full competition of 81 individuals for Friday.”

Events on the weekend also start at 7 a.m. each day, with both days full of team show competitions, similar to what the Ski Sharks perform Wednesday nights throughout the summer.

“Teams that have registered are coming from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin,” Passehl said. “Individual competitors are from all over the country, including as far away as Florida.”

All events will be held at Smalley Park.

A tentative schedule is as follows.

Aug. 2

8 a.m. - Individual competition begins

Swivel 180

Swivel 360

Swivel Open

Swivel Pairs 360

Swivel Pairs Open

Doubles Intermediate

Doubles Open

Freestyle Jump

Team Jump

Individual awards to follow last team.

6-8 p.m. - Mandatory team meeting with chief judge

Aug. 3

7 a.m. - Team competition begins

Aug. 4

7 a.m. - Team Competition begins

Awards to follow completion of last team.

For the Ski Sharks, Carsten McHugh and Ava Pleshek will compete in strap doubles, and McHugh will also compete in the freestyle jump. The Ski Sharks team jump will compete in team jump.

Judges, secretaries, safety crew and others are selected and provided by the National Show Ski Association.

This is not the first time the Ski Sharks have hosted the national tournament. In 2021, they placed second at both the state water-ski tournament and the Division 2 national tournament.

Bringing thousands of people to Shawano for a weekend event is no small task.

“Our sponsor list is large, and this tournament cannot happen without all of them,” Passehl said.

Anchor partners are BankFirst, American Marine and Shawano County Tourism. Premier partners are Charlie’s County Market, USA Waterski and Wake Sports and the National Show Ski Association. Supporting sponsors are Brothers’ Pub, Luigi’s and Cellcom/Nsight. There is also a long list of other support levels.

kpasson@newmedia-wi.com