shawano ski sharks

Local businesses prepare for water ski visitors

Published by admin on Wed, 08/04/2021 - 9:04am

Local businesses are preparing for a wave of visitors to the Shawano area this weekend as the Shawano Ski Sharks host a national tournament Aug. 6-8.

“According to the information that I received, a couple thousand visitors are expected,” Shawano Chamber of Commerce Tourism Manager Patti Peterson said.

Many local businesses and hotels are preparing to host hundreds of guests, as they shop, eat and sleep all around Shawano.

“This weekend is similar to most summer weekends here,” said AmeriVu Inn and Suites manager Nick Patel. “We are fully booked.”

Ski Sharks take 2nd as team at state championships

Published by admin on Tue, 07/20/2021 - 1:35pm

The Shawano Ski Sharks put together a strong showing at the 2021 Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships, which were held July 15-18 at Lake Wazeecha in Wisconsin Rapids.

As a team, the Ski Sharks earned a grand total of 1,103.28 points to place second behind Shermalot (1,338.58) in the Division 2 team competition. Several Ski Shark members also competed in individual events, with three earning spots to the national championships.

The team’s strong showing began on July 15, when individual team members competed.

Ski Sharks’ Passehl takes seventh at state in swivel

Published by admin on Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:40pm

Shawano Ski Shark member Faith Passehl placed seventh in the swivel competition at the 2020 Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships on Thursday on Lake Wazeecha in Wisconsin Rapids.

Passehl earned a score of 11.26 in the 17-skier event.

“My day went very well — I skied a clean run and accomplished all that I wanted to. I had a small bobble at the end but nothing major,” said Passehl.

Ski Sharks’ Faith Passehl to compete in state swivel competition

Published by admin on Fri, 07/10/2020 - 1:32pm

Faith Passehl will represent the Shawano Ski Sharks at the 2020 Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships on July 16 in Wisconsin Rapids.

Passehl will compete in the swivel competition. She is one of 18 competitors scheduled to take part in the event, which is set for a 10 a.m. start on Lake Wazeecha.

The competition will serve as a national qualifying event for Passehl and the rest of the competitors.

Ski Sharks finally take the water

Published by admin on Thu, 07/02/2020 - 6:10pm

Plenty of uncertainty surrounded the Shawano Ski Sharks summer show season, but the team was finally able to take the water and perform for a crowd at Smalley Park on Wednesday.

The team not only had its season on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, but another issue arose when Evinrude went out of business and left the Ski Sharks down a few boats.

The result was a little bit smaller scale show and no theme for the summer, but that didn’t stop the team from providing some entertainment for the fans that filled up the Wolf River shoreline.

Ski Sharks plan to return July 1

Published by admin on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 12:15pm

Updated: June 25, 10:30 a.m.

The Shawano Ski Sharks are set to start performing shows on July 1.

The organization made the announcement on their Facebook page Wednesday morning, and Dave Passehl, the team’s president, confirmed the news.

“If you feel comfortable we would love to see everyone come out and enjoy,” the post stated. “There is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy an evening by the water with friends and family!”

Ski Sharks shows on hold

Published by admin on Thu, 05/28/2020 - 3:57pm

SHAWANO — The Shawano Ski Sharks announced that the start of their summer shows will not begin at the start of June as they have in the past because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The organization announced the news in a Facebook post Thursday afternoon. Dave Passehl, the president of the Ski Sharks, confirmed that the start of shows are on hold.

SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM

Published by admin on Fri, 01/03/2020 - 12:48pm

WESCOTT — The barely above freezing temperatures did not make the annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lighthouse on Wednesday as chilling as in years past, but participants were still shivering after making their jumps into the water.

Almost 30 people made the dive into the channel behind the restaurant that links Shawano Lake with the Wolf River, which only had minimal ice on it when the plunge took place. Some were dressed in costumes like Grinches and fairies, while others were dressed in spandex, shorts and other everyday attire.

Packers rebound, local athletes show out at state

Published by admin on Sat, 12/28/2019 - 11:45am

Editor’s note: The following is a list of the top 10 sports stories for 2019, as voted on by the editorial staff of the Shawano Leader. A top sport stories list for the western portion of the Leader market will be published on Wednesday.

1. Packers win North under rookie coach

The Green Bay Packers ended their playoff drought by winning the NFC North title.

Shawano chosen to host 2021 water ski tournament

Published by admin on Tue, 11/12/2019 - 3:04pm

SHAWANO — The Division 2 National Show Ski Tournament is coming to Shawano.

Smalley Park will host the tournament on Aug. 7-8, 2021, a goal that’s been years in the making. It became official after a phone call from the National Show Ski Association on Friday.

Brad Keuschel, the show director for the Shawano Ski Sharks, said the process really began when the Ski Sharks were still performing at their old site.

When the team moved to its current site in 2017, it met all the requirements necessary to host a tournament.