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End of an era for Water Ski Capital of the World

December 13, 2024

The high-flying stunts and human pyramids that turned Winter Haven, Florida, into the Water Ski Capital of the World will come to an end when the final Legoland Florida water ski show bids farewell to Lake Eloise at the end of the year.

The final performance of “Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt Show” will be held Dec. 30 at Legoland Florida.

“‘Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt Show’ has been a beloved part of our history, creating lasting memories for families over the years,” Legoland Florida officials said via email. “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.”

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Historic photo of the Cypress Gardens water ski show. (Courtesy of Visit Central Florida)

Water Skiing and Winter Haven have been synonymous since the birth of Cypress Gardens in 1936. The botanical gardens and theme park closed in 2009 to make way for Legoland Florida.

Cypress Gardens founder and water skier Dick Pope Sr. used his Florida tourist destination to promote the sport and turn Winter Haven into the Water Ski Capital of the World.

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World record attempts drew massive crowds to Cypress Gardens and attracted celebrities like Johnny Carson, Elvis Presley, Carol Burnett and Esther Williams. Hollywood followed the stars and filmed TV shows and movies around Cypress Gardens’ famed Florida-shaped swimming pool.

"Brickbeard's Watersport Stunt Show" at Legoland Florida. (Courtesy of Legoland) — “Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt Show” at Legoland Florida. (Courtesy of Legoland)

The Cypress Gardens ski shows attracted water daredevils to Winter Haven looking to showcase their innovative skills and set water ski records. The semi-annual Chain of Records event ensured that Winter Haven would be home to more water ski records than anywhere else in the world.

The Cypress Gardens water ski stars became instructors and attracted students from around the globe — making Winter Haven home to more water ski schools per square mile than any place in the United States, according to Visit Central Florida.

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Dick Pope Jr. — who popularized barefoot water skiing — followed in his father’s footsteps and continued the water skiing tradition at Cypress Gardens. The father and son duo are both members of the Water Ski Hall of Fame — about 20 miles away in nearby Davenport, Florida.

Legoland Florida opened in 2011 and kept the water ski history of Cypress Gardens alive with a Lego pirate-themed show starring a lifesize version of the Captain Blackbeard minifigure.

A FlyBoard stunt performer is the highlight of the latest version of the Legoland water sports stunt show that debuted in 2021.

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Mark Voisard worked at Cypress Gardens for 30 years, half of that time as the water ski show director.

“I helped develop the first five-tier pyramid,” Voisard told WFLA.

Legoland learned over the past decade that running a water ski show can be very expensive, Voisard told the NBC affiliate in Tampa.

“It wasn’t one of the top attractions at Legoland, so they ultimately had to make a business decision,” Voisard told WFLA. “It’s pretty sad for the area because people would go there and go ‘I remember coming here as a kid.’”

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Voisard and his son, a stunt man in the current Legoland show, will keep the Water Skiing Capital tradition alive in Winter Haven with the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team that performs monthly on nearby Lake Silver.

End of an era for Water Ski Capital of the World Orange County Register

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End of an era for Water Ski Capital of the World

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