Reflecting the Decline of a Once Iconic Sport of Waterskiing

LEGOLAND Florida is officially pulling the plug on its long-running “Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt Show,” with the final performance set for December 2024. This show, which has had an on-again, off-again run since the park’s opening in 2011, takes place on hallowed waterskiing ground: the former site of Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida. Cypress Gardens, a tourist destination renowned for its waterskiing spectacles from 1936 to 2009, helped shape the sport and even served as a training ground for some of the world’s greatest skiers.

The decision to end the show marks not just the end of a Legoland attraction, but also a symbolic turning point for waterskiing as a sport. When asked why they were retiring the show, Legoland representatives offered this explanation:
“While we cherish this legacy, we are listening to our guests, and our focus is on introducing new and dynamic experiences to continue creating family memories.”

A Legacy of Waterskiing Excellence

Cypress Gardens was once synonymous with waterskiing, setting world records and creating unforgettable memories for millions of visitors. Enthusiasts like Facebook user G. Kitchen fondly remember the golden age: “Some ‘great’ skiers came from the gardens, too many to mention… Those were the golden years of skiing. So many new products and talents came from that era.“

Others, like D. Schmidt, lamented the loss of a unique family experience: “Wow, that’s so sad! My wife, daughter, and I went to Florida for a vacation last year. Thoroughly enjoyed the show, and the crowd sure seemed to love it as well! So unique to have that at a family theme park these days.“

But despite these sentiments, some point out the sport’s shift in relevance. Facebook user K. Moir noted: “Kids are more interested in wake surfing and wakeboarding… I am more bummed that kids aren’t out trying to ski behind a 13-foot Whaler with a 2-stroke engine. Instead, you need to have a $200k boat to enjoy yourself.“

The Decline of Waterskiing

Waterskiing’s decline isn’t just an issue of nostalgia—it reflects broader challenges that the sport has faced in recent decades. Once a staple of summer lakes and rivers, waterskiing has increasingly become a niche pursuit.

The sport’s accessibility has become a significant hurdle. Not only does waterskiing require specialized equipment and a boat, but it also demands access to waterways suitable for skiing. These barriers have made it harder for new participants to enter the sport compared to alternatives like wakeboarding or wake surfing.

The sport’s visibility has also waned. Data from Google Trends shows that 2024 is shaping up to be the second-worst year for waterskiing as a search term in the last 13 years. Compounding the issue, waterskiing content on platforms like YouTube and social media is sparse compared to wakeboarding and wake surfing, which have gained traction through exciting, high-quality content.

Challenges in the Industry

Even waterskiing’s cornerstone manufacturers are facing hard times. Rumors within the community suggest that Malibu Boats may discontinue its Response TXi model, a prominent waterski boat. These concerns were highlighted in an article by Return to the Baseline, which also linked the rumors to the departure of Dennis Kelley, Malibu’s longtime National Promo Team Director of Ski Programs, in late 2022.

Malibu CFO Bruce Beckman painted a grim picture of the company’s financial situation stating,
“We anticipate a year-over-year decline in annual net sales ranging from a mid to high 30s percentage point decrease.“

Is There Still Hope for Waterskiing?

Despite these setbacks, there’s reason to believe the sport can make a comeback. As niche as waterskiing has become, the appetite for compelling waterski content still exists. Learn Water Sports recently produced a series of YouTube Shorts showcasing talented waterski athletes, and the series garnered over 100,000 views in just one month.

A progressive and aggressive media campaign could revitalize interest in the sport. By focusing on accessible “how-to” content, showcasing athletes’ achievements, and bringing fresh energy to the narrative around waterskiing, the sport could attract a new generation of participants.

While the closure of Legoland Florida’s waterski show is a poignant reminder of waterskiing’s fading visibility, it doesn’t have to spell the end. With strategic efforts and a renewed focus on creating engaging, widely available content, waterskiing might just carve out its place in the modern world of water sports.