Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I join?
- show skiing is a family activity: all ages are welcome, and there’s something for everyone
- enjoy beautiful Plum Lake without having to own your own boat
- boats, ropes, and basic show ski equipment is provided by the team
- advanced equipment is typically owned by individual members
- improve your current abilities and learn new water skiing skills
- create family-friendly entertainment for the public through our twice-weekly ski shows
- volunteer in the community by helping maintain our home site at State House Point
- learn valuable skills in leadership and organization while building lasting friendships
- experience other beautiful lakes in our region when the team skis in competitions and traveling shows
- enjoy the annual Plum Ski-ters awards banquet with food, fun, and recognition
Who can join?
Anyone who wants to ski or even just be a part of a fun group can join. You don’t have to be a great skier, but before participating in a show, skiing members must have a few core competencies for safety’s sake. Some of these basic skills include being able to perform a two-ski dock start, have the ability to participate in a basic skiing act as designated by our Show Director, and be able to swim unassisted by a flotation device. Our ski team has lots of members who are more than willing to help you learn the basics so that you can quickly be incorporated into a show.
No great water ski team can survive with skiers alone, though. You can be an important part of our team as a boat driver, spotter (i.e. rider in the boat), announcer, sound personnel, dance choreographer, scriptwriter, stage actor, costume designer, seamstress, or any of the other administrative positions on our team.
There is no age limit to join the Plum Ski-ters Water Ski Show Team. We currently have members from age six to 63! Members under 16 must have a parent or guardian also join the team as a supporting member.
What’s expected?
- bring a positive, collaborative attitude
- attend team practices (2-3 each week)
- attend home shows (2 each week)
- attend roadshows (1-2 per summer)
- attend tournaments (2-3 per year)
- help set up equipment for shows & practices
- help put away equipment after shows & practices
- help at all shows, even if you are not yet skiing in the show
- continuously learn new skills for additional show acts
- take part in off-season show planning for the upcoming season
- participate in fundraising to support our annual operating budget
Let’s Do This. Where do I start?
Request a copy of our current Membership Packet from vp@plumskiters.org. All members affirm our Membership Agreement annually, which includes a copy of the annual schedule, a reminder of team protocols, a quick reference of common contact persons’ information, and more.
All members – skiers as well as supporting members – must have an active registration with USA Water Ski and Wake Sports (USA-WSWS) and Wisconsin Water Ski Federation (WWSF). These memberships provide important insurance protection for the team and its members. Both can be completed online using the links provided.
Only skiing members pay membership dues. These very nominal amounts help cover our extra share boat gas, insurance, equipment costs, and other similar team operating expenses.
I Have more Questions.
Drop us a line at join@plumskiters.org. We’re happy to answer any other questions you have with a quick phone call or through email.