GEDDES, N.Y. — Fairgoers at the New York State Fair are getting an unexpected new kind of thrill this year: Jet skis.
A new attraction called Ski Extreme has taken over the pond near Suburban Park, bringing jet-ski, water-ski and wakeboard stunts to the fairgrounds just feet from spectators. Performers turn the small pond into an extreme-sports arena, catching air, landing tricks and sending up big splashes as the crowd reacts.
Robbie Allen, owner of Ski Extreme Productions, said the show is tailored to the setting.
“Unlike a traditional water ski show where you use a boat, today, because we are on a pond, we’re going to be using everything behind jet skis,” Allen said.
For longtime fairgoers, the new show stood out as a must-see. Lisa and Carl Norsen, who have attended the New York State Fair for 15 years, said they had never seen anything like it.
“No, no, this was incredible, this was amazing, this was really cool,” they said.
They also pointed to a crowd-favorite stunt: the hydroflight finale.
“The finale, watching the flyboard go up and around,” they said. “You see the flyboard on clips on Facebook or the TV but… that was cool.”
Allen said the show brings something different to the fair’s usual mix of food stands, midway rides and traditions.
“It’s just a niche thing that not a lot of people are doing anymore,” he said.
Ski Extreme shows run every day at 11 a.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. near Suburban Park.