Malibu Open Waterski Championship and Summer Festival is returning to Milwaukee’s lakefront Veterans Park Lagoon on August 28-29. 

Waterskiing’s top professional and junior athletes will compete in traditional slalom and long-distance jumping for more than $64,000 in prize money. 

Free-style jumping, barefoot skiing, show skiing, picnic areas, food trucks and outdoor activity vendors round out the exciting two day event, which is open and free to the public.

The Milwaukee Parks and Recreation department is estimating 10,000 spectators will come to observe the extreme water sports competition and interact with the athletes during the Friday and Saturday event.

“Athletes from 28 countries around the world will be in Milwaukee competing during the festival for cash prizes and elite world ranking points,” event organizer and competing athlete, April Coble Eller said. “Fans will have an opportunity to interact, take photos, ask questions and get autographs with the skiers while enjoying festival activities, food and music.”

In slalom skiing, athletes carve around a six-buoy course while the boat travels at a constant speed of 36 mph with an initial 43-foot line. After completion of each pass, the rope is shortened by a specified length to increase difficulty. In the long-distance jumping event, skiers race toward a 6-foot high ramp reaching speeds of 70 mph and fly distances over 200 feet. 

Visit malibuopenfestival.com for more information.