History of the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation
We are working to create a comprehensive timeline of the history Wisconsin Water Ski Federation. This timeline will include historical events, milestones and other relevant information of historical significance. This project is a work in progress, and will be updated regularly.
Additional historical information to include: the birth of water Skiing on the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota as well as why water skiing is so popular in Wisconsin and the impact of Tommy Bartlett on its popularity. We also would like to provide comprehensive historical record of state championships locations and hosts; Think Tank locations/venues and chairs; and officers and directors over the years.
We seek copies of the Federator from the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s. If you're willing to loan your copies to us for scanning, kindly contact us. Thank you!
Special thanks to Hans Hauschild, Cathy Luiting, Maggie Muleski, and Chris Coupland for their assistance. The articles and news clips were obtained from Newspapers.com by Ancestry. We also want to acknowledge Allen Bubolz for realizing the importance of maintaining historical records and to his family for sharing his collection with us. This "Blast from the Past" is dedicated to Allen in recognition of his love of water skiing and his desire to share the history of the WWSF with others.
July 16, 1960
The Framework

The Min-Aqua Bats hosted the first annual Badger Open Water Ski Tournament. That same evening Mike Bolger of Minocqua was named temporary chairman of a group of water skiers who formulated the bylaws for what would officially become the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation six weeks later.
(Rhinelander Daily News, July 18, 1960)
July 16, 1960
August 27-28, 1960
State 3-Event Competition

The Min-Aqua Bats hosted the first-ever Wisconsin State (3-Event) Water Ski Championships, the same weekend the WWSF is officially begun.
(Rhinelander Daily News, August 29, 1960)
August 27, 1960 (evening)
The Beginning of the WWSF
State skiers approved the bylaws and elected officers, marking the formal beginning of the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation.
The first officers were Allen Bubolz, President; John Nachazel, Vice President; Cassie Dorwin, Secretary; and Kurt Klade, Treasurer. Directors included Dexter Defnet, Antigo; Mike Bolger, Minocqua; Tom Kuhlow, Janesville; Gayle Carlson, Chetek; and Jim Falkowski, Milwaukee.
(Rhinelander Daily News, August 29, 1960)
August 27, 1960 (evening)
September 27, 1960
Officially Incorporated
Articles of Incorporation filed with the state of Wisconsin by WWSF president Allen Bubolz on September 20 and recorded by the Outagamie County Register of Deeds seven days later.
This was the original logo of the WWSF.
1964
Logo Updated
The WWSF logo was modified in early 1964 to take the shape of the state. This new version adorned the cover of the Federator in the spring. This version of the logo was used for over two decades.
1964
1964
State Barefoot Competition
The Skiing Skeeters hosted the first-ever Wisconsin State Barefoot Water Ski Championships at Rest Lake in Manitowish Waters the weekend of August 29-30.
(Green Bay Press-Gazette, August 26, 1964)
1965
Mid-Winter Convention
The Aqua Skiers of Wisconsin Rapids hosted the first annual WWSF mid-winter convention at the YMCA Community Center in Port Edwards on February 6-7. The convention later became Think Tank in 1977.
(The Daily Tribune, February 3, 1965)
According the the spring 1965 issue of the Federator, there were 250 members and 10 affiliated clubs.
1965
1967
State Show Ski Competition
The Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships was originated and hosted by the Aqua Skiers of Wisconsin Rapids. The Skiing Skeeters from Manitowish Waters bested six other teams to win the first-ever state show ski competition.
The competition was held on Lake Biron for the first six years and moved to Lake Camelot for the next five years. The event was moved in 1978 to Red Sands Beach in South Wood County Park at Lake Wazeecha in Wisconsin Rapids, where it remains today.
The Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships is the largest and longest-running competition of its kind anywhere in the world.
1975
Membership Update
According to an article in the April 3 edition of the Wausau Daily Herald, WWSF vice president Joe Ostrander indicated there were "over 1,000 active members and 25 member clubs."
Rock Aqua Jays host first-ever National Show Ski Championships in Janesville.
1975
1977
Think Tank Started
1986
Logo Refreshed
The WWSF introduced an updated logo that first appeared in the May edition of the Federator. This version of the logo would be used into the early 2000s.
1986
1988
Indoor Doubles Competition
The WWSF introduced an indoor doubles competition at Think Tank. Mastercraft sponsored the competition from its inception and for many years.
WWSF hired paid executive director to help board members, handle advertising sales for the Federator, help with Think Tank, and be a clearinghouse for WWSF information. The position was eliminated five years later.
1989
Magazine Name Changed
After roughly 27 years, the Federator name is retired. The new official publication of the WWSF became the Wisconsin Water Skier, having debuted with the spring edition published in May.
Think Tank outgrew its prior location in Madison and was moved to the Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc.
1989
1991
25 Years of State Show Ski
1992
Events Competition
The WWSF debuted an individual events competition during the Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships. The events consisted of swivel, strap doubles, and freestyle jump.
Think Tank moved to Holiday Inn Holidome in Stevens Point.
Ski Camp created as an extension of Think Tank to move skills instruction from the "classroom" to the water. Cathy (Geiger) Luiting coordinated the first annual event that was hosted by the Rock Aqua Jays in Janesville.
1992
1993
Hall of Fame Established
Wisconsin Water Ski Hall of Fame created. Charter members inducted in this inaugural year include Tommy Bartlett, Allen Bubolz, the Dorwin Family, Ole Evinrude, Skip Gilkerson, Carl Kiekhaefer, Jack Lukes, Lynn Novakofski, Margo Klippel-Oppenheim, and Dick Matthisen.
Hall of Fame Inductees:
Pioneers | Officials | Competitors
1998
An Icon Gone
Tommy Bartlett, the man whose name became synonymous with Wisconsin Dells and helped shape it into a major tourist attraction, and whose Ski, Sky & Stage show entertained tens of millions worldwide for nearly 50 years, passed away Labor Day weekend at the age of 84.
Think Tank returned to Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc earlier in the year.
1998
2000
Award of Distinction Created
2001
25 Years of Think Tank
WWSF celebrated 25th (silver) anniversary of Think Tank.
"Tommy" Ambassador Award created, with Tom Diehl chosen as the first (and most appropriate) recipient for having "picked up right where Tommy left off."
2001
2002
Ski Show Capital
2003
New Logo
WWSF approved new logo design.
2003
2004
Water Ski Week
Governor Jim Doyle proclaimed the week leading up to the annual Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships to be Water Ski Week in Wisconsin.
WWSF expanded Hall of Fame display at Tommy Bartlett Stadium.
2005
Exempt Status Granted
2005
2007
Think Tank Moved to Dells
2009
New "W" Logo
WWSF adopted a new logo design that is easily recognizable and usable across multiple platforms. Even though this is the current version of the logo, the original looked like the one used in the 50th anniversary logo design in 2010.
2009
2010
50 Years of the WWSF
WWSF celebrated 50th anniversary at Think Tank and throughout the entire season.
WWSF implemented first-ever self-serve membership management system with all dues collected via online payment.
2013
Think Tank to Titletown
2013
2015
Think Tank Moved South
2016
50 Years of State Show Ski
WWSF celebrated 50th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships.
2016
2018
Think Tank Back in Dells
2019
Hall of Fame Refreshed
WWSF refreshed Hall of Fame display at Tommy Bartlett Stadium in Wisconsin Dells. The Allen Bubolz Award was created.
Total membership reached 2,481 members, consisting of 584 individuals and 502 families. There were 29 teams/clubs affiliated with the WWSF.
2019
2020
Shut Down by Pandemic
Just a few weeks after Think Tank was held at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, the world essentially came to a screeching halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the cancellation of nearly all water ski competitions and events including the Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships.
The Tommy Bartlett Ski, Sky & Stage Show was also shuttered for the entire summer, and later announced as a permanent closure.