Aqua Skiers Sponsor New Show Ski Comedy Award

The Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers have recognized that the art of comedy in ski shows has been dwindling over the past decade and decided to create and sponsor the Aqua the Clown Comedy Award to promote comedy in ski shows, and to recognize those who use comedy successfully in their shows. The intent is that more teams will embrace comedy as part of their shows going forward. 

The Backwater Gamblers for “The Sheriff, the Mayor and the Squirrel” won the inaugural award at the 2021 Indmar Division 1 Show Ski National Championships, presented by Visit Central Florida, while Shermalot for “Stage Skits” won the inaugural award at the Mercury Marine Division 2 Show Ski National Championships, presented by visit Central Florida.

The Aqua Skiers have a long history of implementing comedy into their water ski shows. From jump dances to Water Ski Moms, and to the recent favorite, Red Necks, the team has strived to make people laugh and allow themselves to act a little goofy along the way. Since the closing of Tommy Bartlett’s in 2020, the Aqua Skiers felt that sponsoring an annual “Aqua the Clown” comedy award for the national tournaments would be appropriate. The hope is to incentivize comedy in other shows and keep the legacy of Tommy Bartlett and Aqua the Clown going for years to come.

The award is voted on by the tournament officials, but it does not have to be a scored act, and can be given for a skit, an actor’s performance or an entire show.