What you need for a water ski show

A water ski show needs more than skis and a boat. You will need safety equipment for every participant, backup gear for changing conditions, and a clear way to keep the audience away from the water. Add sound equipment, power protection, changing-room supplies and outdoor furniture so the show can run without last-minute trips to the shops. Use the plan below as your checklist, then match quantities to your participant and audience numbers.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
High tablesqty 12
Buffet tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 180
Benchesqty 12
Dressing room tablesqty 4
Clothes racksqty 6
Clothes hangersqty 80

Equipment

Show boatsqty 2
Lifeboat
Outdoor speakersqty 4
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Music player
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Waterproof storage boxesqty 8

Sports equipment

Water skisqty 14
Wakeboardsqty 4
Kneeboardsqty 2
Ski polesqty 12
Drawstringsqty 12
Pull handlesqty 12
Adult life jacketsqty 20
Children's life jacketsqty 10
Wetsuitsqty 16
Water shoesqty 16
Helmetsqty 16
Water buoysqty 12
Life ringsqty 4
Throw linesqty 4
Paddlesqty 4
Waterproof walkie-talkiesqty 8
Signal whistlesqty 8
Waterproof flashlightsqty 6
Water depth meter
Gas cansqty 4
Fendersqty 8
Anchorsqty 4
Anchor linesqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Safety helmetsqty 8
Crowd control barriersqty 40
Rolls of barrier tapeqty 8
Traffic conesqty 24
Warning signsqty 12
Non-slip matsqty 12

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 10
String lightsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 8

Decorations

Event bannersqty 6
Buntingqty 10
Route arrowsqty 16
Program postersqty 20

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 250
Reusable wine glassesqty 80
Reusable platesqty 250
Reusable cutleryqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 120
Serving traysqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 8
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Storage binsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 14
Trash bag holdersqty 8
Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 30
Hand soap dispensersqty 8
Toilet brushesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea selection - 6 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Beer - 8 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Mini rolls - 300 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 3 kilograms
- Ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Iceberg lettuce - 8 heads
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 8 bags
- Grated carrots - 3 kilograms
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Yogurt dressing - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Baby potatoes - 12 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 10 kilogram
- Potato salad - 8 kilograms
- Vegetarian pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Falafel - 4 kilograms
- Chicken skewers - 6 kilograms
- Mini meatballs - 5 kilograms
- Vegetarian vegetable skewers - 4 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Melons - 8 pieces
- Watermelons - 4 pieces
- Mini muffins - 300 pieces
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Brownies - 250 pieces
- Ice cubes - 40 kilogram
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfecting wipes - 8 packs
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Compostable snack trays - 400 pieces
- Wooden forks - 300 pieces
- Wooden knives - 300 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 300 pieces

Tips

Provide one correctly sized life jacket for every person on the water, including boat drivers and rescue crew, plus several spare adult and children’s jackets. Keep life rings at the shoreline and on the lifeboat, where they can be reached immediately.
Pack at least one spare set of each commonly used water-sports item, especially ski poles, pull handles, drawstrings and helmets. Small failures are difficult to solve once the show is underway.
Use waterproof storage boxes for microphones, music equipment, cables and spare clothing. Keep one box specifically for wet gear so changing-room tables and clothes racks do not become cluttered.
Bring extension cords and power strips only where they can be kept dry and protected from foot traffic. Test the outdoor speakers, mixer, wireless microphones and music player before the audience arrives, with spare batteries if required.
Plan seating and shelter from the expected attendance, not just the performers. Set out buffet tables, high tables, folding chairs or benches, party tents, clothes racks and hangers before participants need to change.

Frequently asked questions

What safety equipment do I need for a water ski show?: Provide a correctly fitted life jacket for every person on the water, including drivers and rescue crew. Keep a lifeboat, life rings and water buoys ready, and bring spare adult and children’s jackets rather than relying on exact counts.
How many water skis and boards should I buy or bring?: Bring one suitable piece of equipment for each planned performer at the same time, plus at least one spare for frequently used items. Check whether the program also needs wakeboards, kneeboards, ski poles, drawstrings and pull handles before loading the boat.
What do I need for changing areas at a water ski show?: Set up separate dressing areas if the group requires them, with dressing-room tables, clothes racks and at least one hanger per outfit. Add wetsuits, water shoes and helmets in the sizes needed by all participants, with a few spares for fit or damage problems.
How early should I prepare the shopping and equipment?: Finish the main shopping and equipment check at least 3 to 7 days before the show. Test the sound system and inspect safety gear again on the day, before participants and spectators arrive.

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