Time To Start Thinking About Summer Camp in Winter Haven!

WINTER HAVEN – It’s spring, but it’s not too early to be thinking about summer camp! Registration begins April 3 at the Chain O’ Lakes Complex and Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center.

This year’s offerings include a brand new program called Envisioners Teen Leadership Camp, Discovery Camp; both are held at the Chain O’ Lakes Complex, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd SW and offers two sessions; June 12 – July 7 and July 10 – August 4.

Rotary Park Playground Camp held at the Rotary Park Clubhouse, 350 Sixth St. NE and Summer Fun at the Rec, which is held at Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center, 801 Ave T. NE.

For more information, please contact the Winter Haven Parks, Recreation & Culture Department at 863-291-5656.

The Cypress Gardens Water Skiing Tradition Is Being Kept Alive

WINTER HAVEN – Cypress Gardens was the center of the world of waterskiing for decades. But when it closed in 2009 after a 66-year run, it left a void in the community.

But that void didn’t last long.

Led by former Ski Show Director Mark Voisard, in April, 2012, some former skiers, eager to carry on the traditions kept alive at the Gardens for over six decades, bought a ramp, some equipment, and formed a ski club. They of course took the name, “Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team.”

For Voisard, the move was a natural one. He had begun waterskiing in Wisconsin at the age of six. By the age of 16, he had formed a water ski club in Eagle River, WI, but he knew he had to join the Cypress Gardens team, which he did in 1977.

“Cypress Gardens was the Mecca,” he said. “That’s where you wanted to be.”

After applying for club status from USA Waterski in 2012, the newly formed team started paying dues and insurance. They found sponsors and a home on Lake Silver, courtesy of the City of Winter Haven, which Voisard says has been very supportive.

The new shows carry on the important legacy of the Cypress Gardens waterski show, which broke 50 waterskiing records during its long run.

“It has a special role because we’re continuing the legacy of the Gardens: to teach the new generation what we know: how to climb a pyramid, how to ski barefoot front and backward, jumping was so big for our show out there,” he said. “We want people to know the Cypress Gardens Way. We were the first ones to do a three-tier, a four-tier and a five-tier. We want them to continue it.”

The new venture had no trouble finding talented skiers, of course, with many Cypress Gardens skiers still in the area. Voisard cites one, Don Tomson, who was the second person in the world to ski backwards barefoot, and the first to carry a girl on his shoulders.

“This area was deemed the water ski capitol of the world,” he said. “And that was largely due to the Gardens.”

Today, Regular Shows have 35 skiers, and the “Work In Progress” show that precedes it also features about 35 young waterskiers.

Not only are traditional Gardens staples like the Aquamaids, hang gliding, the Cypress Gardens Flagline, and ski jumps on display, new things never dreamt of at the Gardens are being shown off.

These include the Flyboard – which propels the user high into the air using a water-driven jetpack –skiers on wakeboards, kneeboards, Sky Skis with hydrofoils, and Sit Skis, which allow disabled skiers to wow audiences and participate in the sport.

With all this, the Cypress Gardens Waterski Team is in demand these days. They do paid shows on the road, heading to Alabama, Jacksonville and the Florida Keys, among other locations.

But locals can pick up the show for free (donations accepted!) at Lake Silver’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Park every third Saturday of the month. The pre-show, through the summer, will start at 5 p.m., followed by the Main Show at 6 p.m.

WINTER HAVEN – Police are asking the public’s help in identifying two burglary suspects who were seen on surveillance video burglarizing multiple vehicles at the Tupelo Vue Apartments and the parking area of the Winter Haven Garden Center this weekend.

The two were taped Saturday, March 18 between the hours of 3 and 3:30 am, both concealing their hands and faces as they scouted the parking lots and burglarized vehicles. One suspect can be seen clearly wearing white shoes with their pants rolled up to the knees, carrying a unique backpack. The other is dressed in all black wearing what appear to be brown shoes.

Anyone who recognizes either of these suspects is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.