The Ski Show - The Ultimate Show Ski Podcast

In this episode, Matt, Adam, and special guest David Rezin transform the Tournament Season Preview into an exciting fantasy draft, having some fun breaking down each team's chances at regionals and nationals. You’ll discover: the inside scoop on team momentum, key personnel changes, and how different sites can influence team performance. We cover the surprising strengths of teams like the Mid...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating evolution of SeaWorld’s water ski shows — from the park’s opening in Ohio in 1971 to the iconic Hawaiian and Hollywood-influenced productions that captivated millions. Longtime industry SeaWorld legends Dan Stewart, Tom Weber, and Jessica De Porter share behind-the-scenes insights, from the challenges of staffing nine shows a day in the early years to...

Yep, we talkin' bout practice! This episode reveals how top show directors turn disorganized sessions into efficient, morale-boosting training sessions. Join us as Adam fires questions at Matt Heilman, David Rezin, and JT Sachs all about practice organization and efficiency.  Discover strategies to maximize water time, set realistic goals, and keep your team engaged. Learn insider tips on str...

Most young athletes have big dreams and wonder if they'll ever come true — Bryson Mace, still in high school, claimed the Division I Nationals freestyle jump championship. Behind that astonishing performance lies a story of years of struggle, perseverance, and relentless passion. From mastering wakeboarding tricks to finally cracking helis and flips after months of trying, Bryson’s journey pr...

Today we talk about all things Team USA.  With special guest David Rezin, Adam takes the lead today as he peppers Matt and Dave with all sorts of questions about Team USA.  The guys start with a fun Mount Rushmore game - we find out what is on their Mount Rushmore of Team USA memories. And then they dive in to the application process and timeline, the selection of the team, what they're looki...

Most show ski moms are stereotyped as over-the-top, high-energy mothers who breathe life into the sport— but behind the costumes and splashy routines are real stories of dedication, love, and community. Meet three of the most passionate, genuine moms in the sport who share the joys, stresses, and surprising challenges of balancing family, competition, and side-splitting humor. Shar Carson, Brook G...

Most show skiers dream of hosting the World Championships—and right now, the Lake City Skiers are making it happen for 2027. But their journey from a humble traveling team to hosting a major international event is a story of grit, innovation, and relentless community spirit that you can't miss. In this episode, we dive into the rich history of the Lake City Skiers, tracing their roots all the...

Most water skiers have no idea how deep the roots of Think Tank run—or how a legendary event that started with bar tabs and college chaos now celebrates 50 years of innovation and community. Cathy Luiting, a long time former Think Tank Chair, shares behind-the-scenes stories from the early days, revealing how beer tips and wild nights transformed into one of the sport’s most influential gatherings...

It could be easy to overlook the game-changing secret behind women’s freestyle jump that’s reshaping the sport. Four trailblazing athletes - Sarah Fiedorowicz, Bailey Hyatt, Josie Smerchek, and Gabbie Taschwer - reveal how their relentless perseverance, teamwork, and fearless innovation are pushing boundaries—turning the impossible into the new norm. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to shatte...

Informative and educational.  This episode to kick off our 2026 season is a fantastic discussion with 3 Senior Judges - Debbie Farra, Joel Johanningmeier, and Sandi Oleson.  We talk about the mechanics of judging, the Difficulty Charts, Flow, Box Scores, and other deep topics about the sport of show skiing. The perspective of these three judges is invaluable and you are certain to learn a lot from...

In this holiday special episode, Matt, Adam, Dave, and Brad reflect on the highlights of the 2025 show skiing season, they take time to reflect gratitude to all the sponsors, and discuss many memorable moments from 2025 season. They also engage in a fun Mount Rushmore segment - their Mount Rushmore of Christmas characters. They also share a few predictions for the upcoming 2026 season. The camarad...

Today we are joined by two long time Tampa Bay members, Lindsey Hanson and John Summers as we explore all things Tampa. This conversation delves into the rich history of the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, exploring its evolution, key influences, and the impact of significant figures like Garry Stout. The discussion highlights the team's heyday, the connection with professional shows, and the...

In Part 2 of our Freestyle Jump series, we have stars of today on the show - Cale Ducane, Pete Hegerty, and Ethan Shulda.  The guys discuss all sorts of topics including the glory days of the freestyle tour era, the current crop of talent today, the role Buck Up played in it's growth, and the potential lost art of the mobius to the back landing tricks.  They also go in-depth into their traini...

This one is a little longer than most, but oh so good!  This is Part 1 of a two part series on Freestyle Jump called Then & Now.  In this episode we talk with freestyle jump legends Hank Amos, Scott Clack, and Mike Tolzmann about the glory days of freestyle jump in the 1980's and 1990's.  We dive in to a whole host of topics such as training techniques, the pro tour, the progression...

In this episode of The Ski Show, hosts Matt Heilman, Adam Schaller, and guest David Rezin dive deep into the complexities of the scoring system in show skiing. They begin with a thorough recap of final Buck Up stop and it's unique scoring system. The main conversation in this episode focuses on the challenges and evolution of the scoring system as a whole in show skiing.  The guys discuss the...

In this episode of The Ski Show, hosts Matt Heilman and Adam Schaller discuss the latest happenings in the world of show skiing, including the upcoming Award Show season, the impressive achievements of the Catfish Bay Jump Team, and their recent success at Nationals. We welcome James Bruns, Adam Asmus, Dawson Wallen, Adam Hammer, and their driver Jeremiah Newman to the show. The conversation highl...

Matt & Adam welcome David Rezin and Brad Satterlee for a deep dive into the future of D1/D2 Nationals. They start with a fall catch-up and chat about the American Saucer Social (ASS) Trick Trio fundraiser supporting Joseph Mohr in his fight against brain cancer. Next, the crew builds another Mount Rushmore—this time for the best things about fall—before turning to the main event: the evolving...

Join us as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Dan Laughlin and Gabbie Taschwer, two of the most outstanding show skiers of the 2025 season. Dan, the Skip Gilkerson Award winner, and Gabbie, the Willa Cook Award recipient, share their journey to the top, reflecting on their surreal experiences and the hard work that led them to national recognition. Discover how these champions continue to...

🎙️ In this Nationals Recap episode, we break down the action from D2 & D1 Nationals, highlight big wins like the Rock Aqua Jays’ victory, and talk standout performances across the board. We touch on Twin Lakes Cornfest, the future of D2 Nationals, and even recap the Show Ski Fantasy Draft. Plus, Adam opens up about his retirement from announcing, clearing up rumors and sharing what’s next. Spe...

Join us as we dive into the rich history and legacy of the Rock Aqua Jays, the powerhouse of show skiing, as they celebrate the 50th Nationals. This episode captures the essence of their journey, from humble beginnings to becoming the New York Yankees of show skiing. Discover the challenges they faced, the triumphs they celebrated, and the unwavering spirit that has driven them to win 23 national...

We recap all the action from the Wisconsin State tournament, including interviewing winning Show Directors from the Badwater Ski-ters and The Ski Sprites, and we do a deep dive into the scoring mishap in Division 1 that caused a stir at the D1 Awards. Matt and Adam recount the story from their point of view and they talk about their big victory.  Today's Sponsors are.... FlymanSkis - flymansk...

In this episode of The Ski Show, hosts Matt Heilman and Adam Schaller discuss with show director Joey O'Connor the recent Southern Regionals victory by Cypress Gardens, and they talk to rising stars Mali and Cal O'Connor about their big tournaments and big futures. Throughout the episode they highlight the impressive performances of the O'Connor family, they delve into the dynamics...

It's Tournament time and it's time for our annual Tournament Season Preview Episode. In this one, Matt, Adam, and Dave, with the help of producer Brad Satterlee, came up with a whole new creative concept to preview the tournament season.  They have a Fantasy Show Ski draft in which each person drafts 6 teams, 1 male, and 1 female. Points are accumulated based on Regional and Nationals fi...

In this episode, Matt and Adam recap some recent news such as the first Buck Up tour stop, and they once again talk about the saga of which skiers are skiing where, and as of the airing of this episode they are wrong again.  In the main interview, they talk with Dave Passehl and Brad Keuschel of the Shawano Ski Sharks, a show skiing team with a rich history dating back to 1976. They explore the te...

Today we feature Austin Walstad, a little news, and a couple of hot takes from Matt and Adam. In our main interview, Austin Walstad shares his journey from a young skier in Rochester to a professional skier and member of Team USA. He discusses his early influences, the importance of mentorship, and his experiences in various skiing disciplines, including barefooting and jumping. Austin reflects on...