/ABOUT
Meet Twiggy, the Globe-Trotting Squirrel
It all started as a joke...
In 1978, a baby squirrel was rescued after being blown from her nest during a hurricane. Chuck and Lou Ann Best chose to take her in and make her a part of their family. The little squirrel adapted very well to her new home in Sanford, Fl.
Some of her favorite things to do were to nestle in Lou Ann's shirt for warmth and travel everywhere with her new family. She greeted the kids at their local roller skating rink and went on their camping and water-skiing excursions. She loved to sit on Chuck and Lou Ann's shoulders while they sat in the water. Sometimes, she would even take a dip into the river to get cooled off on a hot day.
Shortly there after, Chuck bought his daughter a remote controlled boat for her birthday. Their friends started teasing him saying that he bought it for himself, since he played with it all the time. Defending himself, he quipped, “I have to learn to drive the boat so I can teach my squirrel to water-ski!" In that moment, Chuck and Lou Ann decided they were going to teach their squirrel to ski while on their river outings.
Twiggy Became Popular...
It wasn't long before the local newspaper, The Sanford Herald, heard about the little aquatic squirrel. They published the first newspaper story about her in May of 1979. The Orlando Sentinel followed, and then Twiggy's story hit the media circuit. Many fans sent clippings to the Best's from all over the world.
ABC News out of Orlando, FL filmed the first news story, which ran on Good Morning America. They went on to win an Emmy award for the story. Before long, the Best's were contacted by "Real People" where they appeared on their first national television show. Telephone calls flooded in from people wanting to book Twiggy for shows. The little squirrel was on her way to stardom.
Chuck and Lou Ann felt that their squirrel needed a stage name. They decided to name her "Twiggy" since she chewed the leaves off of all of Lou Ann's house plants leaving nothing but twigs.
The Rest is History...
Twiggy has been performing since September of 1979, traveling all across the US, Canada, Bermuda, Europe and Germany. She has appeared in numerous books, magazines, newspapers, and television shows all over the world.
Chuck and Lou Ann also trained other animals to water-ski, two miniature horses, two French poodles, a black cat, an armadillo and a toad. They taught one of their squirrels named Ollie to jet-ski. Chuck and Lou Ann also taught 3 squirrels to ski in a pyramid and named the act "Lights, Camera, Action." Other than water skiing, Twiggy also learned to hang glide and ride in a helicopter!
In November of 1997, Chuck Best had a heart attack and drowned while saving the life of his step father. Lou Ann canceled all shows currently booked for the winter 1998. Lou Ann asked for a sign and that is just what she got. One afternoon, while sitting in her dining room, a squirrel showed up at her sliding glass door. Lou Ann let the squirrel into the house and immediately started working on water ski training in order to continue on the business. Just like in the beginning when all this craziness began, she was flooded with phone calls. Everyone wanted Twiggy.
Passing the Torch...
Lou Ann Best
Our Story
Lou Ann trained Twiggy IV and started touring again with this amazing water-ski act. Due to her husband's passing, Lou Ann decided to make water safety an important part of Twiggy's act. She created a squirrel-sized life jacket for Twiggy to wear in her performances. There after, all of Twiggy's shows were focused on teaching her fans about water safety.
Lou Ann and Twiggy's Water Safety Tour went on to appear in several movies and made appearances on "Good Morning America", "The Rosie O'Donnell Show", "The Wayne Brady Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman."
Chuck Best
A New Beginning
After 39 years, Lou Ann decided it was time for her to retire her tour. Throughout her career, she was able to travel the world fufilling her dream of promoting water safety. She trained 8 water skiing squirrels and spoke to millions of people about the importance of water safety. Lou Ann and Twiggy VIII are retiring in Osteen, FL with plans of writing a memoir and bringing Twiggy to the big screen.
Twiggy starts a new chapter in her legacy. Lou Ann’s son, Chuck Best Jr. has decided to take on the family business and continue Twiggy’s story!
/2025 TOUR DATES
/DOCUMENTRAY
Support the Documentary
"What began with a rescued baby squirrel in 1978 evolved into something far more meaningful than anyone could have imagined. My parents, Chuck Sr. and Lou Ann Best, created more than just entertainment - they built a legacy of love, laughter, and life-saving education that has touched millions.
After my father's tragic drowning in 1997, our family's mission transformed. What started as a unique show became a powerful platform for water safety awareness. My mother, Lou Ann, turned grief into purpose, using Twiggy's performances to teach children and families about the importance of water safety and life jackets - a message that has potentially saved countless lives.
For 45 years, this story has been about family, resilience, and making a difference. From humble beginnings in Florida to international recognition, Twiggy has been passed down through generations, each adding their own chapter to this remarkable story.
Now, we're working to preserve this legacy through a comprehensive documentary. We've begun capturing precious memories and interviews with Lou Ann, family members, and those who've been part of Twiggy's journey from the beginning. But we need your help to complete this important project.
Your support will help fund:
In-depth interviews with Lou Ann and early Twiggy show pioneers
Filming with family members who've carried on Chuck Sr.'s legacy
Professional editing of historical footage and new content
Production costs to ensure this story is told with the quality it deserves
This isn't just about a water-skiing squirrel - it's about a family's journey of turning tragedy into triumph, about a father's memory living on through a mission of safety, and about the extraordinary ways love can create lasting change.
Help us tell this story. Help us preserve this legacy. Help us continue making a difference in Chuck Sr.'s memory. ️
/YOUTUBE
/CORPORATE PARTNERS
Progressive
National Safe Boating Council
Century Chemical
Waves of Hope
Henry's
Go Pro
/CONTACT US
CONTACT DETAILS
Contact us at mail@twiggysinc.com or give us a call to book this one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 391106
Deltona, FL 32739
AVAILABLE AT 10AM TO 5PM
CONNECT WITH US
BOOK TWIGGY AT YOUR NEXT EVENT
Make your next event unforgettable by booking Twiggy, the world-famous water-skiing squirrel! This adorable and talented performer will captivate audiences of all ages as she glides across the water. Perfect for trade shows, festivals, or corporate events, Twiggy brings unique entertainment that will leave everyone talking!