Team History

Portland Water Spectacular was formed in 1986 and incorporated in 1987 as a nonprofit organization. The team includes over 20 members with ages ranging from 5 to over 80. The team includes students, full-time working people and families.

The home practice site is on the Willamette River in West Linn, OR, just above the Willamette Falls. Practices are held every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. from April through October. In March, dry land practices are held at a local school gym or pool. In April, the team moves to the water and skis through the month of October. PWS performs shows mostly during the summer months, but we have been known to answer the call for the unexpected. In 1992 PWS put on a show on New Year’s Day that required shoveling of snow just to make a path so boats could be put on the water.

Most shows are done in conjunction with city festivals, boat races or other special events.

PWS has performed all over the northwest, from Seattle, WA, to Grants Pass, OR, Coeur d’Alene, ID and as far away as Janesville, WI and Kelowna, British Columbia.

A few highlights from the team’s history:

1986 Set up practice site in the Willamette River, just south of downtown Portland, OR
1989 Performed 18-person, 3-high pyramid
1990 The team's practice site was moved upriver to West Linn, OR.
1992 Largest pyramid for PWS: 20-person, 3-high pyramid
First 12-person, 4-high pyramid at practice
1993 Performed 4-high pyramid in a show
Hosted the 1st Western Region Show Ski Camp
1994 Won 1st place at first-ever Western Region Show Ski Tournament
1995 PWS purchased its first team-owned boat, a 1992 Hydrodyne Twin Rig
1997 The team acquired the IRS 501c(3) designation as a charitable organization.
Competed at the 1997 Water Show Ski Nationals in Janesville, Wisconsin. PWS put up our largest pyramid ever: 22-person, (a four-high escorted by two 3-highs)
While in Janesville, purchased our second twin rig hull.
2002 Began working with the other Portland team, Rose City Water Skiers, with both teams skiing at each other's shows.
2004 Traveled to Kelowna, British Columbia to perform in the 99th annual Kelowna Regatta
Formally merged Portland Water Spectacular and Rose City Water Skiers into one team using the PWS practice site.