About

Team History

1968: The team is born

Under the guidance of local resident Rocky Palmer, a group of about 40 teenagers formed the Mariaville Lake Ski Club as a way to pass the long summer days. Team members begin building their water skiing skills and learning the basics of show skiing. Typical acts of the day would be the “saucer”, slalom ski, parade of flags, perhaps a single barefooter, a two-tier pyramid, and in later years, ski jumping. The team began performing for area residents and remained active until around 1975

Click on the numbers to view the photographs: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

1978: The team is reborn

Seeking to reinvigorate the organization after several years of inactivity Dave Weakley, one of the teams founding members, purchases a new ski boat with his own funds in an attempt to spark interest. Dave’s gamble paid off and the team’s been going strong ever since. Thanks Dave!
Click on the numbers to view the photographs: [1]

1982: A big move

In an effort to appeal to larger audiences, the team moves to the Mohawk River near Freeman’s Bridge and becomes the Riverhouse Ski Team.

Click on the numbers to view the photographs: [1] [2]

1983: First Eastern Regional Water Ski Show Tournament

Planned and hosted by the Oxbow Water Ski Show Team in Northampton Mass., the strict format, numerous rules, and one-hour time limit of organized competition prove too much for the free-spirited Riverhouse team. Of the six teams competing, they placed a distant last.

1986: A new home, a new name, and a worlds record!

The team moves to it’s current home at Jumpin’ Jacks in Scotia and is incorporated as the U.S. Water Ski Show Team. They also make the Guinness Book with a world record 9 person “crowd the jump” performed at Albany’s Corning Park.
Click on the numbers to view the photographs: [1]

1987: First Eastern Regional Win!

Learning from the mistakes made in 1983, the team has placed progressively better in the subsequent years until finally winning the tournament in 1987. They will go on to win the next 10 years.

1988: Our first Nationals and another worlds record

In 1988 the team made it’s first excursion to Nationals in Janesville WI. We placed a respectable 14th and learned a lot! They also made history again by performing the record breaking “38 in 88” mass ski pull. Yet another entry in the Guinness Book!

1989: 20th year celebration and the “monster boat”

The team celebrates 20 years (a little late) with a party at Maple Ski Ridge. Members old and new reminisce and plan for the future. The 400hp twin rig “monster boat” makes its’ first appearance along the Scotia shore line.

1994: Live national TV

Scotia’s in the spotlight as the team performs the “monster pyramid” (we have lots of monsters in our show!) on live national TV for Fox’s FX. With cameras on shore and in the boat our athletes, drivers, and support crew performed flawlessly and right on cue. We even provide live commentary from right in the boat!

1995: Back to Nationals

It’s back to Janesville Wisconsin for another shot at the Nationals in ’95. The team makes a real improvement over their first attempt with an amazing 8th place finish.

2003: Another great year!

• In 2003 the team continued to create history. Some highlights include:
• Hosting the 2003 Eastern Regional Water Ski Show Tournament. Hundreds of skiers from across the East Coast flock to Scotia to compete and enjoy the hospitality.
• Winning the 2003 Eastern Regional Water Ski Show Tournament. Our members pull together to not only be gracious hosts, but to perform a winning show as well.
• Team granted 501 c 3 status as a tax-exempt non-profit organization.
• Performing weekly shows at the Jumpin’ Jacks waterfront and throughout the region. The Albany Riverfest and Sherman’s at Caroga Lake were great!
• Hosting two Learn-to-Ski clinics that resulted in nearly 50 new skiers from across the Capital Region.

2004: A big year

We traveled to North Hampton, MA to compete in the Eastern Regionals Tournament. The team meet their goal in placing first place! After regionals, a few weeks later the team was able to travel to Waterloo, Iowa for Division II Nationals. The team succeeded and placed 4th. After a successful season, the team set out to accomplish greater things in 2005.

2005: Summer '05, another exciting year for the team

We became the Pirates of the Carribean and brought our show to the Eastern Regionals and placed 1st.

2006: Unexpected weather headed our way

Due to a summer of rain and floods, the team was able to perfect land shows. We worked together to bring the highest quality of shows to our family, friends and sponsors. The team traveled to the Eastern Regionals in North Hampton, MA and competed to take 4th place in the competition.
   
2007: A new season was starting

The team received a grant to send 12 members to Wisconsin Dells, WI to participate in the largest water ski expo. During the expo, members were able to work one on one with some of the largest and most successful teams in the west. Those team members were able to bring lots of information home to help the team grow. With the new season off to a great start, the team also hosted the 24th annual Eastern Regional Competition at our home site in Scotia, NY. We hosted five teams for an exciting weekend, which helped the team to place First in the Eastern Region.

2008: Another year has begun!

We look forward to another exciting ski season with upcoming events that include learn to ski clinics, fundraisers, NYS Canal Corp. Clean Sweep, Mohonasen Community Day, the Eastern Regional tournament and our biggest Fourth of July show! The team looks forward to seeing you at our weekly shows and events.