Cypress Gardens Water Skiers, Winter Haven 1965

This authentic 1960s color photograph, captured in 1965, documents the world-famous water ski performers at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida. The archival image features five women from the legendary ski team posing in their signature smocked, textured swimsuits—four in vibrant yellow and one in white—with a clown performer in a polka-dot suit standing to the right. One performer holds a bright yellow “Acapulco” model water ski, clearly displaying the “Cypress Gardens Skis” brand logo. In the background, a crowd of spectators in period-appropriate attire watches from the wooden bleachers. Founded in 1936 by Dick and Alberta Pope, Cypress Gardens became known as the “Water Ski Capital of the World” and was Florida’s first major commercial theme park. The park’s daily ski shows and “Southern Belles” were iconic symbols of Florida tourism for decades. While the original Cypress Gardens closed in 2009, the site was transformed into Legoland Florida Resort, which opened in 2011. Notably, the historic botanical gardens and the tradition of water ski shows have been preserved within the new park. This factual record captures the glamour and athletic tradition of Florida’s golden age of roadside attractions. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.