News Events & Calendar
| Date | Event & Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sat Sept 6 | Take Out Show Dock and Equipment at Chippewa | 9 AM- 12 Noon |
| Sun Sept 14 | Board Meeting At Melter's |
5 PM |
| Sat & Sun Sept 20 & 21 | Mum Fest - Lake Anna Barberton, OH |
3 Shows Sat 2 Shows Sun |
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LOCAL WATER SKI TEAM IN NATIONAL COMPETITION
CHIPPEWA LAKE, OH. ----- The Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show Team turned in a stunning performance and placed third in the Central Region Division 1 Water Ski Show Championships, which took place on July 13 in Warsaw, Indiana.
In addition to the Team event, there were incredible performances in the individual events. Nick Timura and Rebecca Ribley, took second place in the Strap Doubles competition. Rebecca currently holds the Nationals first place title with her father Doug Ribley in Division 1 Strap Doubles. Karley VanDevere took first place in the individual Swivel Ski competition. She has been competing in tournaments for many years, and is nationally ranked, as well. These skiers will participate for the national championship in their respective events in August.
This Team is the only competitive Water Ski Show Team in Ohio. The team is 11 years old. While this is young for the show skiing community, they have been able to qualify for nationals for six years. Each year has brought a greater victory as the team has moved up in rank through Division 2 and now is moving up in rank through Division 1.
Competitive water ski shows are a pageant of fantastic feats of water skiing, music, costumes, dance, comedy, and beauty. Water Ski Show Team competition consists of 12-15 themed and choreographed acts on water which challenge the limits of skiers’ strength and agility. Acts include bare foot skiers, single ski ballet and swivel, tricks and pyramids, in an hour long show.
This award winning show can be seen locally every Wednesday in July and August
at Emerald Lake on Clark Mill Rd. (near the Barberton Speedway). The show is free to the public and starts at 7 P. M. (weather permitting). The final show is on Labor Day at Chippewa Lake beach in Medina , Ohio.
Doug and Rebecca Ribley Win in Wisconsin Competition
CHIPPEWA LAKE, OH. ----- Doug and Rebecca Ribley became the Division One National Champions in “Adagio Doubles” at the USA Water Ski Show competition held last weekend in Janesville, Wisconsin. Doug, the Director of the Wellness Center at Akron General Hospital’s facility in Montrose, has been water skiing for many years. His family became associated with the Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show team nine years ago. Rebecca, now 14, asked her father to become a doubles team when she was six years old. They have been diligently working on their act since then, and were national runners-up in the last two years at the Championships.
They credit their success to their good relationship, hard work, and the fact that they motivate each other. As a father and daughter, they have become closer through the preparation and training required to compete successfully at a national level. Being on a national stage with the top competitors watching is nerve-wracking , but Doug and Rebecca are quick to point out that they have fun. Family support has a lot to do with their success.
Doug’s wife, Jill, works year round on show costumes, fund raising, and works as a safety person during the show season. Sons, Josh (age 7) and Matt (age 17) are also skiers in the shows. The athleticism required for show skiing is demanding. Doug must lift and twirl Rebecca above his head while on skis. He is attached to the ski rope with a safety harness leaving his hands free for balancing her constantly moving body. Rebecca, meanwhile must maintain her balance while high above the water supported only by her father’s hand. She performs gymnastic and artistic moves which are choreographed to music for almost 5 minutes. The duo’s talents extend far beyond their doubles success. Doug is the Show director for the Chippewa Water Ski Show Team, and also skis in many other acts. He led the Team to their first National Championship in Division Two in 2004. Rebecca also skis in pyramids, ballet, swivel, and wherever else she is needed. You can see Doug and Rebecca perform with the Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show Team. Ski shows can be seen locally on Wednesdays through the end of August at Emerald Lake, near the Barberton Speedway, and Labor Day weekend at Chippewa Lake Beach near Medina, Ohio. Shows are free to the public and start at 7 P. M. (weather and conditions permitting). Maps are available on the team website: http://chippewaskiteam.org.This is a perfect family event; bring your lawn chairs, sand toys for the kids, and settle back for an entertaining evening featuring some of the region's best skiers.
The Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show Team is one of two Show Teams sanctioned by the USA Water Ski Association in the state of Ohio. Membership information is available at the Show site, and on the website. No prior ski experience is necessary.
This award winning show can be seen locally every Wednesday in July and August at Emerald Lake on Clark Mill Rd. (near the Barberton Speedway). The show is free to the public and starts at 7 P. M. (weather permitting). The final show is on Labor Day at Chippewa Lake beach in Medina , Ohio. This is a perfect family event; bring your lawn chairs and settle back for an entertaining evening featuring some of the region's best skiers. The Emerald Lake Show site is easily reached from I-76, by taking the Barber Rd exit, turn left on Barber and go 1.5 miles to Clark Mill Rd, then make a left turn at Clark Mill Rd and go 1.5 miles. The show site entrance is on your right just before the highway overpass.The Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show Team is sanctioned by the USA Water Ski Association. Membership information is available at the Show site, and on this web site. No prior ski experience is necessary.Contact the Team President, Tom Melter, at 216-374- 6719, for any information on membership, shows, and general questions.
CHIPPEWA LAKE WATER SKI SHOW TEAM NEWSLETTER
The Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show Team is Ohio's only competitive water ski show team. Their "home lake" is in Medina, 1/2 hour from Cleveland and Akron metro areas. The Team is actively recruiting new members during the winter months. Monthly training and practices are held at The Akron General Health and Wellness Center, conveniently located at I-77 and Rte 18, in Montrose. Prospective members do not need any water skiing experience. Boats, skis and equipment are provided by the Team. Personal flotation devices and enthusiasm are all that is needed to join. The spring, summer and early fall are full of skiing for singles and families who want to learn or improve their skills. All ages are included, and no ski experience is necessary. Hour long shows are provided all summer long and are free to the public. Practices occur in the evenings and on weekends. There is a Show team which competes, and a Developmental team for younger and newer skiers. The Developmental team also produces two shows a year. The winter provides a great time to get acquainted with the Team, and learn the basics of show skiing during regularly scheduled indoor practices. There is something for everyone: strength, speed and beauty are all part of this sport. Consequently, there are many types of water skiing: slalom, barefoot, doubles, swivel, ballet, wakeboard, jumps, hydrofoil, tricks and show skis. Come find out more!
For more information about the Team, call Tom Melter at 216-374-6719.