It is only spring, but the Shawano Ski Sharks are getting charged up for another summer on the Wolf River.
The 38-year-old nonprofit organization will hold its annual Icebreaker Fundraiser April 16 at The Gathering.
The fundraiser brings in about $10,000 to $12,000 annually to offset insurance and fuel costs for the water ski team’s entire season.
“Our fuel and insurance costs are staggeringly high, so without this fundraiser, we wouldn’t be able to keep things as nice as they are,” Ski Sharks President Dave Passehl said.
The club performs a weekly water ski show on Wednesdays, this year from June 10 to Aug. 19, at Wolf River Beach in Shawano.
Passehl said the club has about 60 people (30 skiers, 30 support staff) committed for another season, but would like more.
Five years ago, the Ski Sharks had approximately 90 members, including 45 performers.
“It is down considerably from our high in 2010 when we won the state championship, and we are always looking to increase that number,” Passehl said. “Specifically with teenagers and adults.”
Passehl said there might be a misperception that the club is only open to water skiers. To the contrary, he said the group needs people to drive boats, work the concession stands, and produce the show’s music and sound effects.
“There are a lot of things that people can do for the team,” Passehl said. “There are plenty of non-skiing activities.”
Ski Sharks can reduce their annual $100 membership fees through community projects such as cleaning Wolf River Beach or contributing to the Learn to Ski events.
The Ski Sharks teach up to 50 people within the community how to ski annually. The club introduced an adaptive skiing program last year.
“You can earn 100 percent of your membership, so theoretically, you can ski for free,” said Passehl, who noted other state ski clubs charge up to $500 annually.
Members are asked to commit to two practices per week, Monday and Tuesday, to the weekly show and to the state water ski show championships, this year July 16 at Red Sand Beach in Wisconsin Rapids.
There are no residency requirements to become part of the team, which has members from local communities as well as Milwaukee, Slinger, Appleton and Wausau, Passehl said.
The Icebreaker prizes include $1,000 cash, iPad, Bose stereo equipment, Disney tickets, sports memorabilia, artwork and a beer cart. Items are still being accepted for silent auction, raffle and paddle-wheel prizes.
“There are gift certificates to everywhere you can imagine,” Passehl said. “There are a huge array of big and fun things.”
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