Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team

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✅

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‼️🙌