#WEAREONE #SOUTHERNWAKESUNITED
ANNOUNCING...
The Southern Wakes United Water Ski Show Team
Walworth County's ONLY water ski show team!
SWU is a merger of the Lauderdale Aqua Skiers and the Whitewater Lake Sports Club (Minneiska). We are a non-profit water skiing organization whose purpose is to give the young and young-at-heart an opportunity to work together to build confidence in their abilities, learn new skills and promote leadership development, water safety education and sportsmanship.
The LAS Water Ski Show Team ( Lauderdale Lakes Aqua Skiers) had its modest beginnings in the 1950s when a group of young people who loved to ski decided they wanted to perform for their friends and neighbors. Using their own boats and fuel, they performed a single, annual show in conjunction with the Lauderdale Regatta Day in front of the Sterlingworth Motor Hotel. Their only rewards were the appreciation of their audience and a complimentary dinner at the Sterlingworth after the show.
With the advent of ski boats came new power and performance. LAS bought its own boat and began competing in the State Show Ski Tournament in the 1980s.
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In 1988 LAS took first place in the Wisconsin State Individual Barefoot Competition. Also that year team member Nancy Lynd O'Hara won the coveted Willa McGuire Cook Award for Best Female Performance Overall at the National Tournament. In 1990 the team won first place in division II at the Wisconsin State Show Tournament, claiming first place in dock equipment & safety, tow boat driving, announcing and overall show.
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In 1997 LAS hosted a "fun class" individual events competition where over 150 novice skiers enjoyed the opportunity to compete in slalom, kneeboard and wakeboard. At the Wisconsin State Tournament that year, sisters Heather & Brooke Huelskamp were awarded the "Most Unique Act" for their slalom strap doubles act and were chosen from over 325 acts presented.
The Whitewater Lake Sports Club was formed back in 1973 and included sailing, canoeing and skiing. The skiing portion continued with full strength and was named the Minneiska Water Ski Team in 1974. The team performed their first show on July 21, 1974 for the Lions Club.
The ski team started competing in tournaments in 1975. In 1975 Minneiska was the only team in the state to pull a 2-man 360. In 1979 the team performed and executed a 3-man 360 which had never been performed by an amateur team. In 1980 the Minneiska's 4-man 360 team was asked to perform at Tommy Bartlett's.
The word Minneiska means "white water" in the Sioux language. Over the years the ream and its skiers have won many awards including pulling 31 skiers behind a boat in 1980, breaking a record. The team has also placed in nationals. Several skiers have earned awards for best swivel ballet, 5 skiers performing a 360 behind a single boat, best trick skiing act, best male skier and best female skier. We have also placed for best Pick Up Boat Crew and for Dock Crew and Boat Drivers and, most recently Most Unique Act.