The Backwater Gamblers put on FREE water ski shows every Wednesday and Sunday starting Memorial Day 2023 Backwater Gamblers are presented by Culver's
03/08/2025
‼️FANS‼️
We are just over 24 hours away from our first bowling fundraiser🙌
Check in starts at 6:30 tomorrow where you’ll pay and receive what lane you’re on. You’ll also be able to buy tickets for our raffles there as well🤝
- Raffle basket tickets are $10 for 25, 50/50 tickets are $5, $10, or $20
- Liquor wagon tickets are $15
All raffles will be drawn March 8th at Leisure Lanes
Bowling costs $20 per person, including shoe rental and three games, so join us for a great time, and a chance to win some raffle drawings✨
03/07/2025
🛡️⚔️‼️THEME REVEAL THURSDAY‼️⚔️🛡️
Backwater Kingdom: Quest for the Holy Grail
It was just another day in the glorious Backwater Kingdom when the King threatened to remove water skiing, unless his most trusted Knights embark on a quest for the Holy Grail. The Knights encounter trials along the way to prove they are worthy, and overcome adversity to save the sport that their kingdom has grown to love✨
We are only 80 DAYS away from our first show May 25th, and we can’t wait to see you, our fans, for another season of FREE water ski shows to the Quad Cities‼️🙌
03/04/2025
‼️FANS‼️
The countdown begins, as we are less than ☝️ week away from our first bowling fundraiser🙌
Registration for bowling ends on the 5th, so hurry up and sign up✅
- Raffle basket tickets are $10 for 25, 50/50 tickets are $5, $10, or $20
- Liquor wagon tickets are $15
All raffles will be drawn March 8th at Leisure Lanes
Bowling costs $20 per person, including shoe rental and three games, so join us for a great time, and a chance to win some raffle drawings✨
02/17/2025
🗣️🎳 FANS 🎳🗣️
We have another GREAT way to support us as we inch closer and closer to the end of the off-season🙌
Our first ever 9 pin bowling fundraiser will be held on March 8th at Leisure Lanes🎳
Bowling starts at 7:30, but come early to meet some of our members, learn more about our team, and enter into our raffle baskets, including the liquor wagon✨
Full lanes of 5 are preferred at time of sign up, but not needed to reserve your spot. Message us TODAY or contact one of our members, Kristen, at 309-721-6770, for more information and to reserve your spot for this amazing night❗️
Bowling spots are limited and registration deadline is March 5th, so hurry while you still can🏆
Picture of liquor wagon in comments below👇
02/13/2025
Come see us at the FISHING, HUNTING & OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW!!! Located at QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Ave. Rock Island, Illinois.
We will have a booth with our Sponsor, Ted's Boatarama and will be providing information on our upcoming season, upcoming events, as well as information on how to become a member of our team!
FEBRUARY 13-16, 2025
Thursday: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
(Friday is Veterans & Seniors Day - All Veterans and anyone over age 65 enters for $6.00 )
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Adults: $8
Kids 6-15: $1
Kids under 6 FREE
02/10/2025
🏆🏈 FINAL SCORE WINNER🏈🏆
Brandi Gonzalez, you are the winner of the final score of our Super Bowl Fundraiser❗️
Thank you to everyone that participated in this fundraiser, it was a HUGE success, and we couldn’t have done it without each and everyone of you🙌
02/10/2025
🏆🏈 3RD QUARTER WINNER🏈🏆
Laurie Stuart-Pilla, you are the winner of the 3rd quarter of our Super Bowl Fundraiser❗️
Stay tuned as the game is nearing the end!🤩
02/10/2025
🏆🏈 2ND QUARTER WINNER🏈🏆
Roger Sutton Jr, you are the winner of the 2nd quarter of our Super Bowl Fundraiser❗️
Stay tuned as the game continues🤩
02/10/2025
🏆🏈 1ST QUARTER WINNER🏈🏆
Maria Clauss, you are the winner of the 1st quarter for our Super Bowl Fundraiser❗️
Stay tuned as the game continues🤩
02/08/2025
THE OFFICIAL 2025 SUPER BOWL GRID🤩✅🙌
First off, we want to thank each and everyone of you that purchased a square. This is our first ever Super Bowl Square Fundraiser, and it was a HUGE success, and we couldn’t have done it without all of you❗️
In the comments below, you will find three things.
Two videos of the numbers being randomly drawn via a random number drawing app, as well as a photo and link that provides a list of the names associated with each square, in case you need reference of your square🏈
Please allow us time to distribute the winnings if your square wins💰
And last but not least, let the game BEGIN🙌🤝🏈✅
02/08/2025
‼️FANS‼️
WE DID IT✅🙌
All 100 squares are now reserved and we will soon be posting a video of the random number drawing for the numbers that represent each square💰
Stay tuned⏳🏈
02/07/2025
‼️💰WE ARE ALMOST FULL💰‼️
We have almost all 100 squares filled, but still have a few to go⭕️✅
Do YOU want to win big this Sunday during the BIGGEST game of the year⁉️
Reserve as many squares as you want RIGHT NOW, don’t miss out❗️
02/04/2025
❗️FANS❗️
We need to fill ALL the squares below before we can randomly draw numbers 0-9 to complete the fundraiser✅
There are still 64 squares to fill before the big game this weekend for a chance to win BIG🙌
This is a GREAT way to support us, while also having a chance to WIN money💰
Bowl
01/28/2025
In 2022, Petey aka “Agent Frank” was a member of our Men in Black ski show theme. He appeared in more than 25 of our ski shows that season, and was an absolute fan favorite by many.
Petey was awarded the Regional and National comedy award, along with his counterparts Agent D (Dennis Heggen), Agent B (Bill Michaels) and Agent J (Jodi Doyle)
Agent Frank was voiced LIVE by our current 2025 show director, Colby Ridgley. He reacted to what Petey did on stage, and nothing was ever scripted or staged.
In the comments below, is a highlight clip of Petey at our 2022 Regional Championship show showcasing Agent Frank and the star he was.
May you rest in peace, Petey🙏
01/27/2025
🏈💵🏆FOOTBALL FUNDRAISER🏆💵🏈
FANS❗️
Now that the Championship games have concluded, we can now update the fundraiser with the teams that will represent the AFC and NFC in the SUPERBOWL🎉
We need to fill ALL the squares below before we can randomly draw numbers 0-9 to complete the fundraiser❗️
This is a GREAT way to support us, while also having a chance to WIN money💰
Remember…. Valentines Day is approaching fast, this may be your chance to win BIG and use your winnings towards a Valentines Day present for your significant other👀🤝
01/24/2025
🏈🏆FUNDRAISING FRIDAY🏆🏈
Get ready for the BIGGEST game of the year and an even BIGGER opportunity to make a difference! 🎯
If you know how this fundraiser works already, comment below which squares you want to reserve and Venmo -Gamblers or PayPal with the total amount for your squares👌
If you don’t know how this fundraiser works already, check out the graphic below to find out how to support us, as well as have a chance to win some cash!💰
*The green check marks represent squares that are already reserved by othe participants✅
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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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
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‼️🙌 #girlpower #jump #history #entertainment
‼️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
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
The Backwater Gamblers put on FREE water ski shows every Wednesday and Sunday starting Memorial Day 2023 Backwater Gamblers are presented by Culver's
