The Ski Show - The Ultimate Show Ski Podcast

In this episode we interview a man that many consider to be the greatest water skier of all time - Brett Wing.  A native Australian, Brett was a world champion barefooter, a long time professional show skier at Marine World and Sea World, and he competed on the pro tour in three event and in freestyle jump.  The depth of his all around talent was immense.  He shares with us all the great stories o...

Today we discuss the Box Scores.  Learn what goes into each category and how your team might improve in each area.  Also listen to Matt, Adam, and David Rezin discuss opportunities for change and improvement within the box scores.  It's an episode full of knowledge that will certainly help you and your understanding of the scoring system.  Sponsors for this episode.... FlymanSkis - flymanskis...

In this episode we have Cypress Gardens and Stars of Florida legend Don Buffa.  Don has an extensive history in show skiing, from his early days with the Minneiska Water Ski team, to his days at Cypress Gardens and traveling the world as the founder of  Stars of Florida.  He also shares his opinions on the current state of amateur show skiing and the World Tournament.  The conversation with Don wa...

In our first episode of 2021, we start by discussing the recent passing of the legendary Paul Dross.  Paul was the face of Badgerland, an amazing show director and announcer, and he will be missed by all.  Matt and Adam share stories about Paul's influence on them.  We also discuss Think Tank 2021, and then we get to our interview with show ski and swivel ski legend, Cheryl Orloff.  Cheryl ha...

Today we celebrate all the things we love about this sport.  It's a short and sweet episode with things that will resonate with everyone.  From the beer tent to the sportsmanship to the opportunities to the goosebumps and butterflies in the preshow or during a standing ovation, we cover the stuff everyone loves about this sport.  We share an amazing passion for show skiing and it deserves to...

If you want to hear from a genuine, humble, inspiring person, you've come to the right place.  Grace Petzold is our featured guest and she's as special as they come.  She's had a quick rise to stardom in show skiing, having only learned to ski just 8 years ago in Rhinelander, WI.  She then joined the Hodags and in 5  years time was on Team USA.  In a year that was a struggle for mos...

Want to know how to put together an entertaining show and production from some of the experts in the industry?  This episode is for you.  Matt Heilman, Adam Schaller, and special guests David Rezin and Sherri Brunner talk all about some of the great shows they've produced and they provide a ton of insight for the audience on how to put together a great theme and production.  Sherri was the ar...

From the best show skier on the planet to one of the top stunt men in the industry, Paul O'Connor can do it all.  He shares with us his history in show skiing, from his time in professional shows to his time on top of the sport with Mad-City, he shares a funny story about how he met his wife Joey and how he got that first date with her, and he shares all about his history and career as a stun...

The story is finally getting told.  After the cancellation of the World Tournament in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been no news stories or feature articles about the teams and the journey.  We tell that story now, from the USA perspective.  Hear from team show directors Matt Heilman and David Rezin about the preparation, the planning, the travel, and the morning they had to break...

You want laughs?  This episode is good for more than a few.  We banter, joke, poke fun, and laugh at many of the pet peeves in our sport that we all can identify with.  Special guest David Rezin joins in on the fun. It's loose, fun, and different than other episodes.  And if you listen to all the pet peeves, you'll learn some stuff not to do in your shows.  This is all tongue in cheek an...

We interview Bartlett legend after Bartlett legend about their time at the Tommy Bartlett Ski Show.  The devastating news that the show is closing for good has hit the show ski community hard.  We wanted to find a variety of voices from over the years to share a favorite story or memory, and to share how their time at Bartletts impacted their life.  The result is a phenomenal series of short inter...

Today we pay tribute to the Tommy Bartlett Show.  Recently announced that the show will be closed for good, the entire show ski community is devastated at the loss of this show.  To celebrate this iconic professional water ski show, we have Matt May, JT Sachs, and Marc Meike on the show, who together spanned 43 years of time at Tommy Bartlett as skiers, drivers, directors, and leaders.  They talk...

Two guys at the top of the sport are featured in this episode.  Garrett and Travis Bouley are from Sarasota, Florida and are current show skiing stars who have a tremendous passion for the sport.  They grew up on the Sarasota Ski-a-Rees, they've skied professionally in multiple places, and they've been on Team USA.  They are freestyle jump champions, both able to compete with the best. ...

In this episode you find out what really makes Insane Zane insane.  Story after story after story about his days on tour, days in the circus, double fronts, freestyle tour shenanigans, and even skiing on concrete blocks.  He also talks about the influence of his family, including his mother who recent passed away.  This guy is one of the best to hit the water and in this episode you really hear ab...

What a jam packed episode!! We first recap the Individual Show Ski Nationals, highlighting the fierce competition and the overwhelming success of the weekend overall.  We then have Part 1 of a two-part interview with Zane Schwenk.  In Part 1, he talks about his days at Cypress Gardens, the initiations and pranks that went with it, as well as the talent there at the time, he talks about his early d...

We are 10 days before Nationals and we have David Rezin on the show to discuss with us all the excitement surrounding the two-day Individual Nationals held in Janesville on Aug 8-9.  Over 130 competitors in multiple events, there has been nothing like it before.  Matt and Dave preview the incredible lineup of competitors, drop a lot of names, and highlight the safety protocols in place for this to...

It's Wisconsin State week, and while there's no team tournament, we still celebrate and reminisce about all things State (like burgers and beer and red sand!).  We also interview Kristen Heilman Block about her award winning career.  She has great insight about her role models and inspirations, how to prepare for a swivel competition, and some of her great memories at State, at Tommy Bar...

Today's episode is all about Show Ski Nationals.  The big news is announced today that there will be NO Division 1 or Division 2 Team Tournaments this year, but there will be a consolidated Nationals Individual Events Competition in Janesville at RAJ Stadium on August 8-9.  Listen to NSSA President Doug Ribely and NSSA Board Member David Rezin as they join Matt and Adam to discuss all the fac...

The question everyone wants to know - will there be a Show Ski Nationals in 2020?  Special guest David Rezin discusses with Matt and Adam all the potential scenarios surrounding Nationals this year and the possibilities of what it might look like in this strange season.  They discuss the potential host sites, the potential tournament options and scenarios, and the NSSA mission statement that frame...

In this episode, Ariana and Kailey Koehler join us for a fantastic conversation.  They are long time members of the Aquanuts, have won many barefoot championships, and are State, National, and World Champion show skiers.  They share with us about their barefoot and show ski pasts, some embarrassing stories, and their all-time great moments in the sport.  We also talk in this episode about the curr...

In this episode we touch on some current show ski events happening like the cancellation of some regional tournaments and the announcement that Evinrude will no longer be producing engines.  We also interview Rachael Zenk and learn about her history in the sport and why she's a champion for female show skiers everywhere.  Rachael is a State and National Champion and a Willa Cook award winner....

In this episode, Scotty Clack talks all about his history with 1080's and double fronts off the ramp, some of his days at the Gardens and on the pro tour, and he goes in depth into his experience at the 2012 World Tournament, which is an incredible story many have never heard.  He also shares the names of many legends who influenced him along the way.  Listen to all the names he drops, all th...

In this episode we interview legendary skier, Scotty Clack.  Scotty tells us about his recent job change, how he grew up in the sport competing in 3 event, how he taught himself helis and flips, some background of his days at Cypress Gardens, and some tips he has for jumpers today.  So many awesome stories from Scotty that you won't want to miss.  Our mailbag today asks us who we would draft...

In today's episode, we have guest David Rezin on to discuss with us the MAJOR announcement from USA Water Ski & Wake Sports regarding "Return to Play" guidelines and what it means for Show Skiing.  In the announcement from USA-WSWS, they revealed that they will begin sanctioning events (practices, shows, tournaments) beginning on May 18 as long as teams follow their state and lo...

In Part 2 with Matt May, we learn all about some of the greatest tricks he's ever made, including inverted barefoot jumping and the discombobulator, as well as what was in store for him at the 2020 Worlds and what his future may hold as a skier.  As one of the greatest to ever do it, Matt talks us through some of his greatest tricks and crashes, the progression he's seeing in the sport,...