By 1996, the Club began putting together shows for the general population of Aberdeen and the surrounding communities.Team History | Team Records
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The Aqua Addicts Water Ski Team was formed in 1995 in Aberdeen, SD . By 1996, the Club began putting together shows for the general population of Aberdeen and the surrounding communities.
In 1997, the Aqua Addicts went to their first regional competition in Shoreview, Minnesota. They went for the experience, not expecting to place, and came back with 5th place in their region. During this year, the Aqua Addicts continued to recruit more members from the Aberdeen area and became recognized as one of the most exciting forms of family entertainment in the Aberdeen area.
During the summer of 1998, the Aqua Addicts competed in the regional tournament and again placed 5th. The tournament was held on the Mississippi River just north of downtown Minneapolis at the Twin Cities River Rat's home site. The Aqua Addicts also put on their first two away shows, one at Cottonwood, Minnesota and one at Ortonville, Minnesota.
Summer 1999, the Aqua Addicts again went to the Midwest Regional Competition in Minneapolis on the Mighty Mississippi. Of the 8 teams at the tourney the Aqua Addicts placed a close, close 7th, being beaten out by less then 100 points. The Aberdeen Aqua Addicts put on three out-of-town shows in Pollock, SD; Milbank, SD; and Ortonville, MN.
The team took a break from competing at the Regional Tournament during the summer of 2000. They focused on the fundamentals, improving existing acts, and working on new acts to be debuted in 2001. The team did, however, entertain crowds in Ashley, North Dakota and Eureka, South Dakota for those town's Fourth of July celebrations.
In 2001, the Aqua Addicts experienced their most success at a tournament up to that time, placing first in nearly every category at the 2001 Midwest Regional Show Ski Tournament held nine hours away from Aberdeen in Waterloo, Iowa. The team debuted several new acts, including a barefoot pyramid cut-under, an act so difficult and dangerous, the Aqua Addicts were the first team to present this act at competition. The team continued to perform shows for the home crowd and also presented an encore performance at Pollock, South Dakota.
2002 brought its own challenges including the defense of their new title as Midwest Division II champions. The Aqua Addicts made the long return trip to Waterloo, Iowa to defend their championship. Despite complications, like a boat taking on water and running over several ropes, the Aqua Addicts managed to again win their division and bring home first in nearly every category.
The Midwest Regional Show Ski Tournament moved back to Minneapolis, MN in 2003 after three years in Iowa. The Aqua Addicts appreciated the shorter 5 and a half hour drive and showed their gratitude by giving a great performance and placing 1st in their division making them Three-time Division II Champions.
The Aqua Addicts visited Cedar Rapids, IA for the Midwest Regional Competition in 2004. The team once again won the Division II Championship, placing first in all box scores except barefooting! Two weeks later the Aqua Addicts returned to Iowa, this time to Waterloo, to compete in their first National Competition. The team skied against other teams from Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, New York, and several from Wisconsin. The Aqua Addicts finished a close, close 5th with a score of 1616 coming within 14 points of 4th and 73 points of 3rd. In the box scores the team won an award for the best barefooting act.
In 2005 the Aqua Addicts repeated as Midwest Region D2 champions. The team skied a score of 1322 in Waterloo that weekend. In addition individuals placed well with 4th places going to doubles and team jump and swivelers bringing home 6th and 10th. The team then went on the road to the Wisconsin Dells for the week in between Regionals and Nationals. Many team members watched two former team members ski for Tommy Bartlett that week. At Nationals in Rock Island, IL the Aqua Addicts placed 4th in team competition. Doubles and team jump both brought home 1st place National titles. Swiveler, Leigh Bacon, brought home a 3rd place National title.
Due to increasing gas prices and the personal expenses of time and money the Aqua Addicts decided to take a year off from competition in the 2006 season. But all indications are the team will again awe regional and national audiences in the 2007 season.