This historic tournament—one of the longest-running continuous water ski competitions in the United States—marks a poignant chapter for the local water sports community. The property was recently sold to developers to be transformed into an RV park, which aligns the waterfront with RV sites and brings an end to the venue’s legendary run of hosting competitive water ski tournaments.
The final event at this location featured slalom and trick rounds, organized by a dedicated panel of long-time officials including Chief Judge Sara Lemley, Chief Driver James Powers, and Chief Scorer Jeff Clark. While it is the end of an era for Ski Paradise as a tournament ground, the 78-year legacy of the Lakeland Open remains a major milestone in Polk County’s rich water skiing history.