Here's something you maybe didn't know: Water skiing was invented in 1922 when a daredevil named Ralph Samuelson tethered some boards to his feet and had a plane pull him along Lake Pepin in Minnesota. Nowadays, water skiing is mostly known as a recreational sport, but plenty of athletes have distinguished themselves in competitions that involved speed and tricks. These are the folks most eligible for the Water Ski Hall of Fame.
Set in a bright blue building a quick slalom away from I-4 in Polk City, this is one of those small facilities that capture a unique slice of American sport without a lot of pomp and that creeping sense of prefabrication.
The place is a pleasant, low-key diversion about 20 miles west of Attraction Row. Although it's a lively enclave, you won't find glitz or eye-popping effects here. The Hall of Fame does have an extensive library and video archive, including a video showing parts of the first world championship held in 1939 at Jones Beach, N.Y.
Mill around and check out vintage gear (including the first commercial skis ever made). Read panels on the wall that detail the history of the sport. And peruse the Hall of Famers, 47 in all, many of them women, all of them Americans. Have your photo taken with a wax figure of Banana George Blair, the yellow-clad 88-year-old who's one of the sport's celebrities.
When you approach the building, you might think something seems amiss. In mid April, the only visible water was a small marshy area and a retention pond. Just out of view, though, is a little lake and stretch of water that the Hall of Fame intends to configure into a slalom run.
Spend a little time at the Water Ski Hall of Fame and you can bet you'll be itching to strap 'em on and zip behind a speedboat.
I-4 to exit 44, 1251 Holy Cow Road, Polk City. Adults, $5; seniors, $4; children under 12, $3; 5 and under enter free. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Tours available by appointment. www.waterskihalloffame.com
This article appears in May 14-20, 2003.