Combine a happy-go-lucky, not-a-care-in-the world, totally-in-love-with-summer spirit with daredevil acrobatics. Throw in a little poetry in motion, add a dash or two of romance. color it with hot-dogging fun and you begin to get what the min-aqua Bats water ski club is all about.
The club, launched in 1950, is among the oldest amateur water ski clubs in the country. By 1952 they were chartered and had raised enough money to buy the club’s first ski boat. Funds come from sponsorships, ‘passing the bucket’ at shows and concession stand sales.
The 50 or so muscled athletes who make up the club train hard for their thrice-weekly shows at Minocqua’s aqua Bowl, playing to audience members from around the world. Club members come from as near as Woodruff and as far away as Mexico and Hawaii, and many are so skilled they go on to perform professionally.
The club performs in shows and tournaments throughout the Midwest and club members have won many awards in state, regional and national competitions.
The Min-Aqua Bats perform throughout the summer at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sunday and Wednesday evenings at Park Avenue, just northwest of the Highway 51 bridge over Lake Minocqua. Shows are free and open to the public.
