For Annika Tank, some of her earliest memories are not on dry land but behind a ski boat on Clear Lake.
The 2025 Britton-Hecla High School graduate has been water skiing since she was 3 years old, a passion that has grown from family outings on the lake into competitive show skiing. This summer, Tank helped the Aberdeen Aqua Addicts earn a third place finish at the Midwest Show Ski Regional Tournament, a milestone she said reflects months of hard work and dedication by the entire team.
Tank grew up in Britton, where summers often revolved around Clear Lake. Her family now has a home there, continuing a tradition that stretches back generations. Her grandmother had a cabin on the lake, and nearly everyone in the family skied.
Her parents introduced her to the sport, along with family friends Jon Kretchman, an X Games water skiing gold medalist, and Drew Fredrickson. Tank said she learned on a pair of children’s combo skis decorated with fish and does not remember ever being afraid.
“I just did it,” she said.
By the time she was 8 years old, she had moved on to slalom skiing, and the lake quickly became her favorite place to spend the summer.
One of her family’s favorite stories dates back to first grade when Tank announced she hated the water. Her father jokingly told her he had sold the ski boat. The news immediately changed her mind, proving just how much skiing already meant to her.
Many of her favorite memories involve teaching friends to ski, tandem skiing with multiple people and spending long summer days on the water. She has even skied as late as Halloween.
After attending several water ski shows around the region, Tank became fascinated by the performances, especially the towering human pyramids gliding across the water. In 2018, she and her younger sister, Tiana, joined the Aberdeen Aqua Addicts. Tank quickly found herself near the top of a three tier pyramid.
She stepped away from the team in 2020 as school activities and sports demanded more of her time. After graduating from high school and enrolling at South Dakota State University to study agricultural communication, her summers became more flexible. That gave her the opportunity to return to the Aqua Addicts this season and recommit to the sport she loves.
The Aberdeen Aqua Addicts perform weekly ski shows on Dahme Lake, just south of Aberdeen. The shows run throughout the summer and combine entertainment with athletic skill. Performances feature high flying ski jumping, barefoot skiing, ballet and swivel skiing, doubles acts and the team’s signature pyramids. Each season follows a unique theme. This year’s production centered on the Winter Olympics, blending winter sports with water skiing performances.
The club includes about 39 members ranging in age from 6 to 55.
Practices take place throughout the week, with Monday evenings devoted to full team rehearsals and Wednesdays providing opportunities to work on individual skills. Tank often makes multiple trips to Aberdeen each week while also spending plenty of time skiing on Clear Lake.
All of that work paid off at the Midwest Show Ski Regional Tournament near Waterloo, Iowa. Eleven teams from the upper Midwest competed, with the Aqua Addicts placing third overall. The competition included a full show performance along with individual events such as jumping, swivel skiing and strapped doubles.
Tank said the finish was rewarding because it reflected the countless hours everyone invested throughout the season.
“It was good to see our hard work and dedication pay off,” she said. “It was well earned.”
She believes one of the greatest lessons water skiing has taught her is teamwork. Every performance depends not only on the skiers but also on boat drivers, dock crews, costume volunteers and announcers working together. She also enjoys seeing experienced skiers mentor younger teammates while building lasting friendships.
Like any sport, water skiing has its challenges. Tank said learning new skills can be frustrating and physically exhausting, with plenty of falls along the way. Still, she said the feeling of finally mastering a difficult trick makes every setback worthwhile.
Looking ahead, Tank hopes to continue expanding her skills, including competing in swivel skiing at next year’s regional tournament, which will be hosted in Aberdeen. She also hopes the Aqua Addicts can capture a regional championship on their home water.
She also encourages others to give the sport a try.
“It’s something you can enjoy for many years,” she said. “It’s a great workout, and it’s a lot of fun.”
The Aberdeen Aqua Addicts’ final shows of the season are scheduled for Aug. 13 and Aug. 20 at Dahme Lake. Tank invites area residents to attend and experience the excitement of show skiing firsthand.
