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Wednesday 6:30pm - 7:45pm Sunday 6:30pm - 7:45pm

Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team

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Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team

The Backwater Gamblers put on FREE water ski shows every Wednesday and Sunday starting Memorial Day 2023 Backwater Gamblers are presented by Culver's

12/25/2024

🎁🎄✨MERRY CHRISTMAS✨🎄🎁

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas🌟

12/05/2024

‼️⌛️THROWBACK THURSDAY⌛️‼️

In 2003, we set the tournament record for most skiers going 360 degrees around the hydrodyne outboard at the Division 1 National Tournament, and we are still the only team in the country to successfully accomplish this many skiers behind an outboard✨

Watch this electrifying broadcast recording from 21 years ago that will be sure to bring excitement to your Thursday🙌

12/03/2024

‼️FANS‼️

We have some AMAZING sponsorship opportunities available for the 2025 season🙌

Even though we’re entering winter and the temperatures are beginning to drop, it’s never too early to plan on how YOU can ADVERTISE your business throughout our ski site, while also supporting our team✨

Check out the graphic below for the many different ways to promote your business, and we are thrilled to have these opportunities available for you❗️

Message us today to reserve your location, as these opportunities are sure to go fast⌛️

#2025

11/28/2024

🍁✨HAPPY THANKSGIVING✨🍁

From the 2024 McCallister family, to yours🙌🦃

Comment below; What are you thankful for this holiday season?👇🙏

11/03/2024

✨FANS✨

The Backwater Gamblers and the City of Rock Island have a long standing relationship where BWG has presented over 5000 Water Ski Shows for tourists and home crowds to more than 2 million visitors🤯

For free.

This year we walked in the Labor Day parade stopping to build human pyramids on the route. The age of our members of our water ski team range from 4 to 74, with everyone bringing many different skill sets and contribute in many different ways🙌

Thank you to Mayor Thoms for allowing the BWG participants of the parade to join him in presenting the Council's Choice award‼️

10/28/2024

‼️🥇🥈🥉‼️

Congrats to the WINNERS of the pumpkin contest that we posted last week🙌

1st Place: Kitty Kat pumpkin
2nd Place: Scary Teeth pumpkin
3rd Place: Painted Flower Pumpkin

Thank you for helping us decide the top 3 pumpkins from our team bonding event that we had last weekend✨

10/23/2024

‼️FANS‼️

Do you want a fun way to support the Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team⁉️

Two of our very own Backwater Gambler members, Carrie Braet and Collin Ridgley are participating in SHINE ON / After Dark on October 24th to raise money for the team✨

Please go to www.ballroombynick.com to purchase your tickets and/or a digital download to show your support🙌

Please make sure to put down either Carrie's name or Collin's name when you order. Hope to see you there as it promises to be SCARY good👻

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/UtGLBFjGXJeys7MQ/

10/20/2024

🍁🎃👻PUMPKIN CONTEST👻🎃🍁

As we’re approaching Halloween, we’ve been feeling spookier and spookier by the day👻

Last weekend, we held a team bonding event at the Shady Knoll Farm that involved pumpkin carving, and we need YOUR help with selecting the best pumpkin🎃

To vote, please go to the picture of your favorite pumpkin and like your favorite pumpkin🙌

09/03/2024

Hey Quad Cities❗️

Today we were gifted a $5,000 grant from the DICK'S Sporting Goods Youth Sports Program, represented by Ryan Calvert and Cristi Lindell🙌

We cannot thank them and the organization enough for their generous support and dedication to youth sports, as we also strive to provide a great youth environment in our respective sport❗️

We are very grateful to have received this grant, and we look forward to continuing to build a strong relationship with them, both now and in the future, and to continue building opportunities and caring for the youth of the Quad Cities✨

09/02/2024

‼️FINAL SHOW TONIGHT, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND‼️

We have ONE last opportunity this season to put on a show for FREE for you, our fans and supporters🙌

Look at this amazing crowd from last nights show✨

Share, share, share this post because we would LOVE to see a crowd this massive again tonight❗️

We also will be having a JUNIOR show tonight at 5:00 PM, so please come and support the next generation of skiers tonight as well👌 The main show will start at 6:30 per usual, and concessions will be available as well🍿🥤

09/01/2024

‼️SHOW TONIGHT, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST‼️

Tonight is our 2ND to last show, and you DON’T want to miss it🙌

In conjunction with the show, we will be hosting our second vendor show of the season as well, so be sure to arrive at 5:00 PM to check out all the vendors before the show👌

As always, admission is free and concessions are available, so come one, come all to one of the last shows of the season‼️

Show starts at 6:30⏰

The water ski team is holding another vendor show at 5 p.m. on Sept 1 prior to their usual performance which will get underway at 6:30 p.m. The last show will be Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

08/29/2024

If you didn’t make it to the show tonight, you missed a FIRST for Backwater Gamblers history❗️ Two girl members, Jenna Martel and Kenzie Clawson etched their names in history as the first girls to ski away from a jump in the show together on the very first attempt …. Just listen to that crowd‼️🙌

08/28/2024

‼️SHOW TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28TH‼️

3. SHOWS. LEFT. OF. THE. SEASON.

The crazy uncles of the McCallister barefoot line say that you need to make it to one of the last three shows that we are performing for FREE✨

The show starts at 6:30 with an intermission halfway through with concessions available🍿

08/26/2024

🙌‼️VENDOR SHOW‼️🙌

We have our SECOND vendor show of the year on September 1st of Labor Day Weekend✨

This is also in conjunction with our Sunday ski show for that weekend, so you have the opportunity to attend a FREE water ski show, accompanied by a vendor show full of arts, crafts and more👌

For more information on becoming a vendor, please contact [email protected], or visit the link below to sign up as a vendor‼️

https://forms.gle/ZZNJTSy6QGihjNay9

08/25/2024

‼️SHOW TONIGHT, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25TH‼️

Only 4 shows left of the 2024 season, and that means only 4 shows left to see the nutcrackers and sugar plum ferries from the holiday parade🎉

Admission is free, the smiles are endless, and the entertainment is sure to entertain✨

Show starts at 6:30, see you there❗️

08/21/2024

‼️SHOW TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21‼️

We are very quickly approaching the end of the McCallister’s ski show season with only 5 shows left🤯

Where did the season go⁉️

We wish we had more time left to ski FREE water ski shows for you, but unfortunately due to the flooding earlier in the season, we missed out on many opportunities to entertain you…. So be sure to make it to one or all of our 5 remaining shows before it’s too late⏰

Tonight’s show starts @6:30 with concessions available and a short intermission halfway through the performance✨

Also, a HUGE shoutout to Raw Images Art & Photography for capturing these amazing shots at our most recent show this past Sunday📸🙌

08/18/2024

‼️SHOW TONIGHT, SUNDAY, AUGUST 18th‼️

We are approaching the end of the season, and only have 6 shows left❗️

You don’t want to miss the opportunity to be entertained for FREE, so bring your friends, family, cats and dogs and we will see you TONIGHT at 6:30 for our water ski show✨

Bleacher seating and concessions are available, and we offer a short intermission halfway through the free performance⏰

Address

5000 44th Street
Rock Island, IL
61201

Opening Hours

Wednesday	6:30pm - 7:45pm
Sunday	6:30pm - 7:45pm

Website

http://www.backwatergamblers.com/

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Videos

🎁🎄✨MERRY CHRISTMAS✨🎄🎁 We wish you all a very Merry Christmas🌟

‼️⌛️THROWBACK THURSDAY⌛️‼️ In 2003, we set the tournament record for most skiers going 360 degrees around the hydrodyne outboard at the Division 1 National Tournament, and we are still the only team in the country to successfully accomplish this many skiers behind an outboard✨ Watch this electrifying broadcast recording from 21 years ago that will be sure to bring excitement to your Thursday🙌 #throwback #thursday #broadcast #record

BWG’s First Ever Girl’s Dual Show Jump

‼️SHOW TONIGHT, SUNDAY, AUGUST 18th‼️ We are approaching the end of the season, and only have 6 shows left❗️ You don’t want to miss the opportunity to be entertained for FREE, so bring your friends, family, cats and dogs and we will see you TONIGHT at 6:30 for our water ski show✨ Bleacher seating and concessions are available, and we offer a short intermission halfway through the free performance⏰ #free #entertainment #countdown #quadcities

Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show

‼️SHOW TONIGHT, SUNDAY, AUGUST 4th‼️ We are so excited to be back performing our FREE water ski shows for you, our fans❗️ The show starts at 6:30 tonight, and we have concessions available✨The show runs roughly an hour, with an intermission halfway through⏰ Let’s pack the stands tonight‼️ Video Credit goes to past member Troy Roker, who attended one of our shows prior to the flooding and filmed this awesome video for us🎥

❗️WE NEED YOUR HELP❗️ As you may know, we have dealt with trial after tribulation during the 2024 season, and we need your help now more than ever. We rely solely on donations during our FREE water ski shows, but with the unforgiving flooding, we have been forced to cancel our last 8 shows. If you have the ability to donate, we would appreciate your generosity more than you could know. We do it for YOU, but we cannot do it WITHOUT you❗️ If you wish to donate to help us maintain our finances until we can get back on the water, you can donate through the GoFundMe link below. https://gofund.me/00f4e254 You can also donate via Venmo @backwater-gamblers, via PayPal @Backwatergamblers, or send a check to 5000 44th Street Rock Island, Illinois 61201 As always, thank you for your unwavering love and support, and because of you, We Are Backwater❗️ #support #donate #501c3 #generosity #mothernature #finances

🚨❗️SHOW TONIGHT, JUNE 23rd❗️🚨 We are SUPER excited to have the opportunity to perform another FREE water ski show for our fans🤩 Yes, you heard that right. Admission is FREE✨ Our water ski shows are the PERFECT summer activity for anyone of all ages. Bleacher seating is available, as well as room to bring your own lawn-chair. Junior show starts at 5:30✨ Main show starts at 6:30🍿 See you there! #showsunday #freeadmission #concessions #performance

🚨❗️SHOW TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19th❗️🚨 We have yet another backbreaking show for you tonight on the banks of the Rock River at the McCallister house🌊 Admission is FREE, the entertainment is endless, and the thrills are flowing✨ Concessions are available for food and beverages❗️🍿🥤 #showtonight #free #entertainment #rockriver

❗️FATHERS DAY SHOW TONIGHT❗️ We will be having a free water ski show tonight at 6:30🚨 Here’s what to expect⬇️ - Fun entertainment for the whole family - Concession stand available with food and drinks - 1 Hour Performance with intermission halfway through Bring your dad, granddad, or any father figure to enjoy a day filled with love, laughter, and celebration. Let's make this Father's Day unforgettable! 📍 Location: 5000 44th Street Rock Island, Illinois 🕒 Time: 6:30 PM See you there! #FathersDay #FamilyFun #CelebrateDads #waterskishow

🚨TEAM RECRUITMENT TUESDAY🚨 We are ramping up practices for the upcoming season, and there couldn’t be a better time to JOIN and become a member than RIGHT NOW‼️ We have opportunities ANYWHERE on the team, not just for skiing. Message us TODAY to learn more on how to join, or visit www.backwatergamblers.com/join to join TODAY❗️ #team #recruitment #tuesday #join #now

‼️FIRST SHOW IS MAY 26th @6:30‼️ Our brand new D & S Marine Inc Legacy Hull with Triple 300 HP Mercury Marine motors got to hit the water today🙌 We are 21 days away from our first show and we couldn’t be more excited to put together another season of FREE water ski shows for you, our fans✨ #show #sunday #countdown #free #waterski #shows

😬🫣WIPEOUT WEDNESDAY🫣😬 These skiers gave it their all in our 2022 National championship tournament… needless to say, things didn’t go so well in the conditions we were dealing with😬 We hope you enjoy this #wipeoutwednesday ‼️ #national #championship #tournament #unfavorableconditions

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Our Story

The Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team was formed in July of 1980 in Andalusia, IL by John and Deanna Orr with fourteen members. Since its creation, our team has grown to over 150 members. We are now located in Rock Island, IL in Ben Williamson Park on the Rock River. We perform shows Wednesdays and Sundays at 6:30p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

We have competed in water ski tournaments since 1984. At these tournaments, each participating team has exactly one hour to complete their best show. Scoring is based on things such as ex*****on, difficulty, and showmanship. During these tournaments, there are also individual competitions. These competitions include strap doubles couples, swivel, team jump, and individual jump.

In the strap doubles competition, one skier is attached to a harness while their partner performs acrobatic moves . This competition is judged based on ex*****on, difficulty, showmanship, and creativity.

In the swivel competition, a single ski with a rotating binding is used. The skier uses this to perform tricks such as 360° turns and other impressive spins. This competition is also judged based on ex*****on, difficulty, showmanship, and creativity.

In the team jump competition, a group of jumpers perform multi-person tricks off of a 5.5 foot jump. The goal of this competition is to stick the landing of as many tricks as possible. There is a chance for extra points if the jumper lands past a distance buoy. This competition is judged based on difficulty, amount of tricks landed, and crowd appeal.

The individual jump competition is very similar to the team jump competition. Instead of a whole team performing tricks, only one skier jumps at a time and each person is competing against each other.

Over the years the Backwater Gamblers have won 11 regional tournaments. Our highest ranking in the national tournament was second place in 2014 with our show titled “Choppy Water: My Life as a Water Ski Show Skier”.

Every year, we hold an event called Access to Waves. This program is an adaptive water ski clinic which began in 2005. Due to the popularity of the event, starting in 2015, we began to hold 2 adaptive water ski clinics every year.

Our team also holds water ski lessons for anyone in our community who would like to learn how to water ski. For more information about adaptive water ski clinics and water ski lessons please visit our website at http://backwatergamblers.com/skiing-Events