The Janesville Lions Club purchased Goose Island (now known as Traxler Park) and gave it to the City of Janesville.

Bathhouse building built for swimming beach at Goose Island. (The building is currently the Rock Aqua Jays' clubhouse - used for concessions and storage.)

Rock River Boat Association formed.

Members of the Rock River Boat Association marked the Rock River channel from Janesville to Jefferson and built a boat bypass at the Indianford Dam.

Goose Island renamed Traxler Park in honor of Janesville's first city manager Henry Traxler. (February 7)

City of Janesville allowed the Rock River Boat Association and Janesville Sea Scouts to use the bathhouse facility at Traxler Park as a clubhouse and storage facility. (November 13)

Ship No. 50 of the Sea Explorer Scouts receive large anchor from the U.S. Navy Great Lakes Naval Training Center. The anchor was placed in Traxler Park and remains there today.

The Janesville Gazette and WCLO radio station sponsored "Aquacade," an event featuring swimming races, boat races, a boat parade, and water ski shows performed by Star Zenith Club skiers and Rock River Boat Association members. The "Aquacade" drew over 15,000 spectators along the shore of the Rock River at Riverside Park. (August 10)

Early spring flooding leaves Traxler Park and much of Main Street under water. Exactly 50 years later (in 2008) late spring flooding left Traxler Park and parts of Main Street under water.

The water skiers who participated in the "Aquacade" began talking about creating a water ski club.

The water ski club was officially created - without a name though.

The new water ski club was one of four founding member groups of the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation.

Tom Kuhlow, Bill Manthey, Wayne Manthey, and Roger Sterk purchased a kit boat, which they named "4 Aces." Those four individuals, Don Snyder, and Roy Lentz decide to name the water ski club "Rock Aqua Jays" - Rock (for the Rock River), Aqua (Latin for water), and Jays (Janesville High School bluejay mascot at the time). Thus, the club formally becomes known as the Rock Aqua Jays.  (August 10)

Hosted the Wisconsin State 3-Event Tournament.

Hosted the Blackhawk Open 3-Event Tournament.

Started performing weekly water ski shows on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer.

Added Sunday evening performances.

Earned first-ever tournament victory at Lamb's Farm Invitational in Libertyville, IL.

Transitioned from a traditional 3-event club to a show ski club. Purchased a public address system, erected bleachers, and began improving site.

Upgraded to a professional sound system.

Won National Water Ski Show Tournament for the first time.

Won Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Tournament for the first time.

Built the first-ever 4-tier pyramid on water.

Established scholarship fund in memory of Kevin Freund, who died in a boating accident on Memorial Day.

1985 

Secured two additional premier industry sponsors: Yamaha Outboard Motors and Skiwarm Wetsuits.

1986 

Won National Water Ski Show Tournament.

1987 

Won National Water Ski Show Tournament and once again were "Triple Crown Champions."

1988 

Won National Water Ski Show Tournament and once again were "Triple Crown Champions."

1989 

Secured important local sponsors: The Janesville Gazette, WCLO, and WJVL radio stations.

1990 

Won National Water Ski Show Tournament an unprecedented sixth year in a row.

Significant drop in membership results in end to streak of six National Water Ski Show Tournament victories.

Remaining leadership focused on rebuilding.

Significant spring flooding delayed start of season. Still managed to build first-ever 5-high pyramid on water in a practice, show, and competition.

Secured new outboard motor sponsor: Mercury Marine.

Won National Water Ski Show Tournament.

Secured new inboard boat sponsor: Malibu Boats.

Won National Water Ski Show Tournament.

Became first amateur American water ski show team to perform and compete in the Peoples Republic of China.

Performed and competed in Peoples Republic of China for second time.

Purchased team's first-ever triple rig boat. Rigged it with three 150 Hp Mercury motors

Performed and competed in Peoples Republic of China for third time.

Purchased second triple rig boat. Rigged it with three 250 Hp Mercury motors - the first boat in show skiing to have more than 600 Hp.

Flooding prevented start of season until the middle of July.

Performed and competed in Peoples Republic of China.

Performed and competed in Peoples Republic of China.

Performed three shows during the Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville, Kentucky.

Spring flooding prevents start of practices and shows until after Memorial Day. Ten days later unprecedented flooding forces cancelation of entire season. Floodwaters reach 18 inches deep inside clubhouse and caused extensive damage to the stage, docks, beach, and grounds; and forced the relocation of National Water Ski Show Tournament. Lost revenue and damages exceeded $250,000.

Delegation of 16 members performed during the Formula One boat race in the United Arab Emirates in December.

Early spring flooding results in cancelation of first seven shows (total of 38 shows canceled since 2007 national tournament).

New payoff stage and beachfront retaining wall installed.

Established world record for largest barefoot line - 21 guys in single front barefoot line behind one boat.

Granted new 20-year lease at Traxler Park with option renew for additional 20 years.

Mid-summer flooding results in cancelation of a handful of shows and relocation of the national tournament from Janesville for the second time in three years.

Performed and competed in Peoples Republic of China.

50th Anniversary celebration included alumni events and a special water ski show performance by past and present members.

Invited to Peoples Republic of China again for first-ever international water ski show competition. Represent USA in competition versus teams from Australia and China. RAJ delegation won overall international championship.

Won National Water Ski Show Tournament for 16th and once again were "Triple Crown Champions."

Awarded bid to host the inaugural World Water Ski Show Tournament in 2012.

Won National Water Ski Show Tournament for 17th time.

Hosted the inaugural World Water Ski Show Tournament.

Delegation of 40 members travel to the Peoples Republic of China. Established Guinness World Record 48-person quadruple 4-tier pyramid with delegation of Chinese water skiers. Also became first-ever water skiers to perform on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace in Beijing.