Watercross: Racing snowmobiles on water
Clip | 3m 36sVideo has Closed Captions
Winter and summer fun come together as modified snowmobiles race on Wisconsin lakes.
Snowmobile watercross transforms winter sleds into high-speed summer racers, thrilling fans with races on lakes. Since 1977, this Wisconsin-born sport has developed a family-friendly community around it, featuring agile snowmobiles, tight competition, big jumps and a fun, welcoming atmosphere for all.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Wisconsin Life is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin
Funding for Wisconsin Life is provided by the Wooden Nickel Fund, Mary and Lowell Peterson, A.C.V. and Mary Elston Family, Leon Price & Lily Postel, Stanley J. Cottrill Fund, UW...
Watercross: Racing snowmobiles on water
Clip | 3m 36sVideo has Closed Captions
Snowmobile watercross transforms winter sleds into high-speed summer racers, thrilling fans with races on lakes. Since 1977, this Wisconsin-born sport has developed a family-friendly community around it, featuring agile snowmobiles, tight competition, big jumps and a fun, welcoming atmosphere for all.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Wisconsin Life
Wisconsin Life is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[snowmobile engines revving] [heavy rock music] - Rachel O'Brien: I was mesmerized, was my first feeling of it.
It was so cool.
- Kim Hallberg: They think it's jet skis on water, and I oftentimes am like, "No, it's actually snowmobiles."
- So watercross snowmobiling is actually exactly what it sounds like.
It is a snowmobile that we make slight modifications to.
We have two categories.
You can actually be an open mod, which, that's kind of sky's the limit.
Or you can be a stock, which is very few modifications.
And we make them for water, and we're a race association that you actually race them on water.
These really, really heavy machines actually become extremely light, and they carve a lot, like you would be riding in the mountains, actually, is how a lot of people describe it.
[snowmobiles revving] - Watercross was formed in 1977, and it just started with a bunch of snowmobile riders jumping waves across the lake, and in the winter, they had a hole, I guess, in the lake, and they would just go across.
And then they thought, "Hey, we can do this all year."
And badabing, badaboom.
[snowmobiles revving] - Rachel: A normal race for us is, we have qualifying heats on Saturday, so every driver per class gets three guaranteed heats that they're going to race.
If you have a race where you get a first place, that's worth one point.
Second place, two points, so on and so forth.
And then, what you want is the lowest amount of points for the day.
Our course consists of two different types of laps.
There's the inside lane, and then there's one we like to call the equalizer lane, or most of us call it the EQ.
You have to take the EQ at one point in your race for a lap.
The selection is entirely up to you.
It's actually very strategical when you take that EQ lap because it is a very, very wide lap.
That can be very detrimental to your race if you pick to go out to that at the wrong time.
Otherwise, it's always guard the front and look for clean water.
[snowmobiles revving] These sleds are really easily going 70 now, very, very easily in a very short, y'know, 1,000 feet, very short amount of time.
I would say consistently, our pros are probably in the 50s, 55 range in the oval course just because of the buoy to buoy action, and you wanna stay tight and not blow it.
People will actually tell you too, they don't care who they're racing.
They're just gonna go out and get in front and try to beat everyone.
This year, we're doing our first annual big jump contest.
And what that's gonna be is into three categories, we're gonna have the crowd favorite, which, y'know, our guys, they're into it, they're excited, like to dress up.
We have a time trial.
Now, that is, they get two minutes on the clock, and they have to make as many jumps as they can in two minutes.
And then we also have furthest distance.
So, how far can they send the sled off of the jump going, so that's gonna be really exciting.
We did clarify to each driver that it was how far the sled went, not necessarily the body.
- The races are amazing.
We couldn't have a more gracious, genuine group of racers, who, they love to see the kids involved, they love to sign autographs.
- It brings together us with family, community, friends with an abnormal sport, so it's just a great weekend overall.
- This is probably the most Wisconsin thing you can find.
[heavy rock music]
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 13s | Dennis Erickson shares his therapy dog with residents of an Antigo nursing home. (4m 13s)
Now PlayingWatercross: Racing snowmobiles on water
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 36s | Winter and summer fun come together as modified snowmobiles race on Wisconsin lakes. (3m 36s)
Creating the world's tallest glass tree
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 38s | Glass artist Jason Mack helps create a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. (3m 38s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 16s | Vicky Van Lare runs a charity providing free pet food to families struggling with costs. (4m 16s)
Upcycling accolades in Madison
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 18s | The National Trophy Recycling Program repurposes trophies to make new ones for nonprofits. (5m 18s)
Keeping a Swedish candle tradition alive
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 59s | Alan Anderson makes traditional Swedish “grenljus” candles in Baraboo. (4m 59s)
World's largest accordion museum preserves musical heritage
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 23s | A musical family history inspired Helmi Harrington to create Superior's accordion museum. (5m 23s)
Kevin Loh brings classical guitar from Singapore to Wisconsin
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 6m 25s | World-renowned classical guitarist Kevin Loh studies his craft at UW-Milwaukee. (6m 25s)
ACES program opens creative career doors for teens
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 41s | The Overture Center youth program takes teens on field trips to discover arts careers. (4m 41s)
Tanzanian safari leader's journey leads him to Wisconsin
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 50s | Ombeni “Ben” Pallangyo cooks up the flavors of East Africa in his Stoughton restaurant. (3m 50s)
The Trans Handy Ma'am wants to help you repair your apartment
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 59s | Mercury Stardust cares about two things — teaching home repair and helping those in need. (4m 59s)
Fiber artist weaves portraits of global water protectors
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 31s | Mary Burns honors water rights advocates with intricate woven portraits. (4m 31s)
MicroCar museum showcases 'goofy-looking' vehicles from post-war Europe
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 50s | The Midwest MicroCar Museum houses diminutive vehicles with historic significance. (2m 50s)
Walk in the woods with an old growth guide
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 23s | Guide John Bates explores a remaining old growth forest, the Van Vliet Hemlocks. (4m 23s)
Teen builds custom guitars from scratch
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 4s | Pulaski teen Ian Vanveen taught himself how to build electric guitars. (4m 4s)
45 years covering Wisconsin's dairy industry for The Milkweed
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 12s | Pete Hardin is one of the last true originals in the world of agricultural journalism. (5m 12s)
A big scavenger hunt for tiny Wisconsin landmarks
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 22s | Ken Fager hides 3D printed Wisconsin landmarks all across Madison. (5m 22s)
Marinette draws in the Bigfoot believers
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 37s | Cryptid researchers and believers gather for the annual Bigfoot convention in Marinette. (4m 37s)
Craft distillery elevates cocktail culture in Stevens Point
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 47s | Brian Cummins traded in his job as a chemical engineer to distill Wisconsin spirits. (4m 47s)
How a distillery tour inspired a hit board game
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 16s | UW-Stout professor Dave Beck created "Distilled," a whiskey-themed board game. (5m 16s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 3m 29s | Lake expert John Magnuson explains the phenomenon of "black ice." (3m 29s)
Three generations tap maple trees during Saint Patrick's season
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 30s | The O'Brien Maple Grove produces gallons of syrup and generations of memories. (4m 30s)
Milwaukee nonprofit builds boats and confidence with local youth
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m 40s | All Hands Boatworks teaches kids to build wooden boats, fostering hands-on skills. (4m 40s)
Creating work-life balance at Kickback Cafe
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 34s | An Oregon coffee shop offers an inclusive workplace that prioritizes well-being. (5m 34s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 25s | Zainab Hassen shares Mbakbaka, a one-pot spicy pasta stew highlighting Libyan spices. (2m 25s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 40s | Dongjood Choi shares his family's tradition of making Bossam kimchi. (2m 40s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 19s | Artist Mauricio Ramirez was inspired by healthcare workers to paint a new mural. (1m 19s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 14s | “Jump Around Wisconsin” founders Greg Thomson and Joe Lahti prepare for one final jump. (2m 14s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 18s | Even in a global pandemic, love finds away. Couple has traditional Hindu wedding via Zoom. (2m 18s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 12s | Reedsburg photographer takes photos of families on front porches as food pantry fundraiser (2m 12s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m | Milwaukee rapper Wes Tank puts Dr. Seuss' rhymes over Dr. Dre's beats in a fun way. (2m)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 41s | People walking by see the "X" on the driveway and the request to dance. They do. Watch. (1m 41s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 12s | Two friends hold signs asking drivers to honk for air hugs. They stand 6 feet apart. (1m 12s)
Clip | 1m 39s | Cellist Hans Christian performs an impromptu solo in the rafters of an old building. (1m 39s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 34s | Music teacher at Viking Elementary challenges faculty and students to do online karaoke. (1m 34s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 37s | Neighborhood puts their own twist on a Badger tradition while social distancing. (1m 37s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 39s | Chef Elena Terry (Ho-Chunk Nation) cooks “SassSquash”-dish celebrating indigenous foodways (2m 39s)
Pilot Abdul : Grandmother’s Food
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 42s | Abdul cooks Red Beef Curry with Potatoes: Burmese dish described as "grandmother's food." (1m 42s)
Rebecca Webster and Laura Manthe: Oneida White Corn Soup
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 30s | Two cousins and members of Wisconsin’s Oneida Nation make traditional white corn soup. (1m 30s)
Monica O'Connell: Mother’s “Famous” Rum Cake
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 40s | Monica O’Connell makes her mother’s rum cake to celebrate southern foodways and music. (1m 40s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 48s | Lucy Lor makes a Hmong feast in La Crosse, bridging culture, family and identity. (1m 48s)
Laila Borokhim: Wisconsin-grown Ghormeh Sabzi
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 22s | Laila Borokhim makes Iranian Ghormeh Sabzi and cherishes cooking the food of her family. (1m 22s)
Kennia Coronado: Mexican Cheese from Racine
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 22s | Kennia Coronado explores Panela cheese as a bridge between Mexican heritage and Wisconsin. (1m 22s)
Wisconsin's Great River Road: Night Fishing
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 7s | Jesse Heu and Ko Hung fish at night along the St. Croix river as it joins the Mississippi. (1m 7s)
Wisconsin's Great River Road: Michael Valley
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 1m 43s | Since 1983, commercial fisherman Michael John Valley has kept a shop in Prairie du Chien. (1m 43s)
Wisconsin's Great River Road: Mahjong Club
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 2m 3s | In Trempealeau, a dedicated group of women has met for eight years to play Mahjong. (2m 3s)
Wisconsin's Great River Road: Alma View
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 7s | Rosemary and Ervin Kutz enjoy the view at Alma on their trip up the Great River Road. (7s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 8m 4s | Sun Prairie man follows his dream to write, compose and put on a musical show. (8m 4s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 4m | East Troy woman carries her Wisconsin roots with her, volunteering in the Peace Corps. (4m)
Living the Wisconsin Life: Badger Aviator
Video has Closed Captions
Clip | 5m 9s | Remington Viney, a badger aviator who made a successful emergency landing when she was 19. (5m 9s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for PBS provided by:
Wisconsin Life is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin
Funding for Wisconsin Life is provided by the Wooden Nickel Fund, Mary and Lowell Peterson, A.C.V. and Mary Elston Family, Leon Price & Lily Postel, Stanley J. Cottrill Fund, UW...