Hatfields & McCoys 2013

Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Club, Inc. Organization Fact Sheet

Media Contacts:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (President - administration, insurance, marketing and public relations)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Show Director - show operations)

The Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Show Team is a leading entertainment and tourist attraction in Janesville, Wisconsin. The team performs twice weekly water ski shows and is the most successful water ski show team in the world having won 17 U.S. national championships. The Rock Aqua Jays use its shows as a platform for teaching its members and the public about safe boating and water skiing techniques.

Year Started:

1961

Membership:

Over 150 (individual, family, social, and honorary memberships)

Legal Organization:

The Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Club, Inc. is a registered Wisconsin corporation with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status approved/granted by the Internal Revenue Service and charitable organization status approved/granted by the State of Wisconsin (credential number 3705-800).

Governance:

Elected, non-compensated board of directors consisting of 11 officers: president, vice president, treasurer, show director, executive secretary, recording secretary, WWSF representative, fleet manager, concessions manager, show representative, and a member at large

Funding:

The Rock Aqua Jays are funded solely through donations, traditional fundraising, sponsorships, and membership dues. The organization receives no public funding.

Show Site:

RAJ Stadium on the Rock River at Traxler Park in downtown Janesville, Wisconsin

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 1046
Janesville, WI 53547-1046

Office Address:

Old Towne Mall
20 S. Main St. Ste. 24
Janesville, WI 53545-3959

General Inquiries:

(608) 754-5879

Web Addresses:

www.rockaquajays.com

Products/Services:

Entertainment and education

Audience:

Anyone seeking entertainment (emphasis on families)

Events & Activities:

  • Sunday and Wednesday evening water ski shows
  • Learn to water ski clinics
  • Mercury Marine Open Water Ski Show Tournament host
  • State and national competitions
  • Hosting other tournaments (national and international tournaments)
  • Partnership with UW-Whitewater collegiate ski team
  • Fundraisers to support show operations
  • Independence Day on the Rock event and fireworks
  • Fright Factory haunted house fundraiser

Accomplishments:

  • 17 U.S. national championship titles
  • 14 Wisconsin state championship titles
  • First amateur team to build 3-level pyramid (1974)
  • First amateur team to build 4-level pyramid (1981)
  • First amateur team to build 5-level pyramid (1993)
  • Highest scoring act in history of water ski show competition (482 our of 500 points for a 4-level pyramid performed in 1985)
  • World-record holder for largest pyramid in competition (44-person triple 4-level pyramid in 2003)
  • World-record holder for largest front barefoot line behind one boat (21 barefooters in 2009)
  • First amateur team to perform and compete in the Peoples Republic of China
Affiliations:
  • USA Water Ski (national governing body of water skiing)
  • National Show Ski Association (recognized sport division of USA Water Ski)
  • Wisconsin Water Ski Federation
  • National Safe Boating Council
  • Rock River Coalition
  • Forward Janesville (privatized chamber of commerce)
  • Beloit Chamber of Commerce

Official Sponsors:

Mercury Marine; Livorsi Marine; The Janesville Gazette; Ott Schweitzer Distributing; WCLO and WJVL radio stations; ABC Supply; J.P. Cullen & Sons, Inc.; Rock River Marine; Connelly Skis; KW Show Ski Equipment; and ACME Propellers