It all started fifty years ago with six guys on water skis.

“We just went out and practiced, and then we got the idea to put on a show,” says Fritz Bushendorf. “We begged, borrowed and stole boats and skis and equipment, and it was a lot of fun.”

But original Eau Claire Ski Sprite Fritz Bushendorf says he never counted on the team to keep expanding and going this strong for this long.

“I thought it was a good idea, and I knew it was going to continue, but I didn't think about 50 years,” he says with a chuckle. “But I’m glad it did.”

Original Ski Sprite members say they're happy younger generations have taken to the sport and keep coming out year after year.

“The more time we got to spend together, the more fun we had,” says Brent Edwards, whose skied for more than 20 years with the group. “So it's something that brought our family closer together.”

Dustin ludwikowski11 year veteran :51:03 “Ski Sprites has kind of become my second family,” says Dustin Ludwikowski, an 11-year veteran of the team, who started at age 10. “It's just so much fun, especially the show skiing. Just like the teamwork, and all the different acts, and the costumes and the music. It's just a production and it's just a lot of fun.”

The Ski Sprites say with more than 70 members and new kids learning every year, they hope the fun continues for more generations to come.

The Ski Sprites have their big all-day Labor Day celebration Monday. Sand castle contest registration begins at 11am and the contest starts at noon. The skiers take to the water for their big finale show at 2pm.