By Jack Burden

For water skiers, Cypress Gardens has always been more than a theme park—it’s the spiritual home of their sport. From its founding in 1937 by Dick Pope Sr. as a botanical garden to the debut of its first water ski show in 1943 for servicemen during World War II, Cypress Gardens quickly became the beating heart of water skiing.

Now, one of the sport’s longest-running traditions is coming to an end. The iconic water ski show at Legoland Florida, which carried on Cypress Gardens’ legacy, will perform for the last time on December 30.

For decades, the ski shows at Cypress Gardens captivated audiences with their audacity and innovation. This was where barefoot skiing, swivel skiing, and the first human pyramids were introduced. Over 50 world records were set on these waters. Celebrities like Elvis Presley and Johnny Carson visited to witness the spectacle, and Hollywood took notice too—1953’s Easy to Love immortalized the park’s legendary synchronized ski sequences.

“It’s a travesty,” said Winter Haven resident D.N. to ABC Action News. “That water ski show has made this town what it is. It’s been here as long as we have and many years before that.”

Through much of the 20th century, Cypress Gardens was the epicenter of water skiing. It wasn’t just a tourist attraction; it was a laboratory of invention and a stage for the sport’s greatest feats. Competitors, celebrities, and aspiring athletes flocked to the park, drawn by its allure and prestige.

Even after Cypress Gardens closed in 2009, the tradition didn’t die. Legoland Florida picked up the baton, continuing the professional ski shows on Lake Eloise. For many, the decision to end the shows feels like the final farewell to water skiing’s golden age.

Nicole Pinzon, another Winter Haven resident, lamented the loss. “A lot of families go there for tradition, and that will be missed. For them to go for years and then have it taken away—it’s going to be sad.”

Legoland representatives acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but pointed to their plans for new attractions, including a Sea Life Aquarium opening in spring.

Still, Winter Haven’s water skiing legacy endures. The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, formed in 2012, keeps the spirit alive with free monthly shows at Lake Silver. Meanwhile, the memories of Dick Pope Sr.’s vision live on in the countless athletes and fans who were inspired by the artistry and daring of Cypress Gardens skiers.

As the final curtain falls on this legendary show, the water skiing community can reflect on its profound impact. Cypress Gardens didn’t just entertain; it elevated the sport, setting the standard for what water skiing could achieve.