Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum

The Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum displays vintage equipment, photographs, and records that tell the story of how water skiing developed and spread. You will find memorabilia, competition documents, and materials showing the sport's evolution over the decades.

The museum began in 1980 in Winter Haven, Florida, and later moved to Davenport. It preserves the story of how water skiing started in the 1920s and recognizes the people who shaped the sport.

The institution preserves water skiing heritage through four categories of recognition: competitive water skiers, pioneers, officials, and show performers.

The museum sits inside the Central Florida Visitors Convention Bureau Welcome Center and offers free admission. You can walk through at your own pace to see the collections and displays.

The museum holds extensive memorabilia from Ralph Samuelson, the person who invented water skiing in the 1920s. His personal items and records offer a direct look at how this sport came to life.

GPS coordinates: 28.16680,-81.77670

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:43