AUBURNDALE – The best show water skiers in the world will perform on Lake Silver in Winter Haven, Florida, as part of the 2022 IWWF World Water Ski Show Tournament, the International Waterski and Wakeboard Foundation (IWWF) announced today.

The tournament is considered the capstone event celebrating the 100th year of the sport.

The IWWF is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole authority governing all towed water sports. The IWWF has more than 90 affiliated member Federations worldwide.

“I would like to congratulate the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team for being awarded the bid to host the 2022 IWWF World Water Ski Show Tournament and believe the world’s best show skiers will look forward to traveling to Winter Haven, Florida to compete for the IWWF world title,” said IWWF President Jose Antonio Perez Priego.

The announcement is the culmination of a joint effort between the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team and Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing (PCTSM) to bring the centennial celebration of the sport to Winter Haven, the Water Ski Capitol of the World. Assistance from USA Water Ski and Wake Sports, the national governing body of organized water skiing and wakeboarding in the United States, was also instrumental.

“This took years of planning and preparation,” said Mark Jackson, the director of PCTSM. “None of this would have been possible without Mark Voisard, the president of the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, and Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team board member Dave Dershimer. As in all recruiting efforts for major international events, relationships are critical. PCTSM’s reputation and experience hosting international events played a major factor as well.”

Since 2012, the IWWF World Water Ski Show Tournament has been held every two years. Each team performs a one hour spectator friendly show that combines entertainment with world class athletics. The USA Water Ski Show Team has won the team title each year. Teams expected to participate include the United States, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Australia, China and Mexico. The 2020 IWWF World Water Ski Show Tournament will be held in Yarrawonga, Australia March 20-22.

The event is expected to bring in several million dollars of economic impact.