The city of Winter Haven is set to host the Southern Regional Show Ski Tournament this Saturday, June 27, at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, defending regional champions, will face top challengers including the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team and the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees.
Competition Details
The tournament will feature a live theatrical production on water, with judges evaluating each team based on technical difficulty, choreography, creativity, crowd appeal, and overall presentation. Each competing team will have a total block of 90 minutes on the water, including 20 minutes to set up their gear, 60 minutes to execute their performance, and 10 minutes to tear down.
The event serves as a celebration of the sport’s enduring popularity in Central Florida, highlighting Winter Haven’s long-standing legacy as a foundational hub for modern water ski entertainment. Gatorland will also participate as an exhibition team, showcasing their skills without competing for tournament points.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.