The Carolina Show Ski Team dazzles on the waters of Lake Wylie.
Every spring, Claire Frase Bolton’s excitement rises with the temperature. It’s show ski season. “I’ve been with the team since I was born in ’96,” she says. But the talented athlete is humbly drowning her lead. Claire’s father, Russell Frase, is one of the founders of the Carolina Show Ski Team, which has been skimming lakes near Fort Mill and Tega Cay since 1988.
“There’s not any sport like it,” the 28-year-old reveals. “It’s kind of crazy to think about. Growing up, my dad was president of the club, my mom was the announcer. Now I’m the show director and all the things I’ve learned, I get to pass down. Not just ski stuff, but life lessons in general.”
When most Carolinians think of show skiing, they probably conjure images of Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida, which became synonymous with glistening beauties, gliding atop the water in pyramids, waving to cheering crowds. The sport, which has been described as an aquatic Broadway musical on skis, has grown significantly since the 1940s. More than 650 water ski clubs operate across the US, including the Carolina Show Ski Team. “Guys have to be coordinated and strong, and girls have to be flexible, like a dancer or gymnast,” Bolton says. “Cheerleading is probably the closest sport, as we do a lot of practice for the lifts and stunts. A lot of work goes on off-water, before on-water. I’ve had a lot of concussions.”
Climbing to the top of the pyramid since she was a toddler produced skills that have taken her around the world. Bolton has skied professionally at Sea World San Antonio and LegoLand, Florida, as well as in Nagasaki, Japan. Newly married (to a pyramid base), she’s happy to return to her roots, guiding teammates through their Friday night shows at Windjammer Park on Lake Wylie. “It’s been awesome to bring my talents home and coach the next generation,” Bolton shares. “The team keeps getting better and better. I would say we’re in a completely different place than two years ago. When we go to competitions now, we are the competition.”
Current president Megan Nelson’s daughter joined the team in 2018, after attending a show. Morgan had never skied; now the teen swivels with the best over water. “This team is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” her proud mom confides. “The ‘wow’ factor, the tricks, the performance aspect. Morgan has learned so many life lessons from the sport. It’s pretty impressive. This is a tight-knit community, but we open it up to all on Friday nights. It’s the best show in town.”
By the Numbers
Members: 81- Age of members: 6-61
- Length of show: 60 minutes
- Skiers involved in each show: 40
- Boats pulling the team: 4
- Attending at each show: approximately 300
- Boats that drift and watch each show: 60
You Can Go
Every Friday evening June through August
Windjammer Park, 8999 Windjammer Park Dr., Tega Cay, SC
Arrive by 6:30pm for the 7pm show. Admission and parking are free.
Food trucks and dessert trucks available.
Carolina Show Ski Team Fast Facts
Ski shows combine components of all water ski disciplines: water ski ballet, swivel skiing, freestyle jumping, human pyramids, barefooting, and wakeboarding.
The Carolina Show Ski Team is a 501(c)(3) organization funded by donations, sponsorships, and special events. No skiers are paid.
See the show each Friday evening from June through August at Windjammer Park in Tega Cay. Arrive at 6:30 to get a seat for the 7pm show.
For more visit CarolinaShowSki.org, or follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @thecarolinashowskiteam.
