Wednesday, May 21, 2025
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Area water ski shows provides fun entertainment for the entire family The weather is getting warmer and piers have been installed on the lakes for the season, which can mean only one thing, it’s time to head to the lakes for water ski shows . Back in the day, most of the lakes in the county had a water ski club that performed . Kosciusko County has two water ski organizations both offering shows during the summer months . The Ski Bees have been performing on Webster Lake since 1953 while the Lake City Skiers have been competing and entertaining crowds since 1989 . When the Ski Bees first started, most of the members lived on the lake year round . Today, a handful live on the lake, while the rest come from the surrounding communities . Some members are coming from as far as Texas, Arizona and California . The Ski Bees season begins with sign-up day, which will be June 14 . Those interested in participating can show up at North Webster Town Park, sign up and participate in a practice for that evening’s performance . “We always accept new members,” said Mike Jones who’s been part of the Ski Bees for over 40 years . Jones started with the Ski Bees at age 10 . “Every show is a little different depending on who shows up,” Jones said . “Skiers usually sign up for a specific act in the show .” Over the years, the Ski Bees
have had to make some adjustments especially as youth club sports have become year round . “We’ve become more flexible (about rehearsals) because of that,” Jones said . “It’s really to keep this alive for the community . It’s been going on since 1953,” Jones said about the dedication a core group of officers has for the Ski Bees . Shows are held in front of North Webster Town Park . Those attending can bring a lawn chair and find a great place to sit or come by boat . The show area is cordoned off so boaters coming to watch know where to anchor . Jones said there are safety/pickup boats patrolling the performance area making sure skiers are safe and boaters stay clear of those performing . For those who cannot make it to sign up day, visit websterskibees . com to find another opportunity to sign up . The Ski Bees will be having five shows this season . According to Steve Hawblitzel, a member of the Lake City Skiers, at lot of the Lake City Skiers participants started in the Ski Bees . While the Ski Bees are focused on family fun, the Lake City Skiers are a competitive team that competes in various tournaments, both regionally and nationally, while also putting on a ski show twice a week . “Both are great for the community,” Hawblitzel said .
Each year, the Lake City Skiers has a theme for its show . This year it will be “Pirates of the Caribbean .” “We’re getting Jack Sparrow out of retirement for one last swash-buckling adventure,” Hawblitzel said . He and his son, Andrew, are co-directors for this year’s show . The first performance of the season will be at 6:30 Sunday, May 25 . The show typically features about 50 skiers ranging in age from 3 to over 50, along with an additional 20 handling everything from costume design, running the souvenir stand and manning the safety/pickup boats . “If you know how to ski, we’ll be happy to have you,” Hawblitzel said . He went on to stress, “There’s something for everyone . That’s what brings families to the sport .” For those interested in becoming a member of the Lake City Skiers, Hawblitzel directed them to the member package on the team’s website lakecityskiers .org . The Lake City Skiers have hosted division I national tournaments three times and
FLYING THROUGH THE AIR — Sho wn are two members of the Lake City Skiers performing. One stay s on the water while another does a flip through the air. Photo prov ided by ATB Sports.
hosted regional tournaments many times at its home base on Hidden Lake, Warsaw . Its own competition, City of Lakes Tournament will be held Father’s Day weekend . But the team is extremely excited that it will be hosting the 2027 World Tournament, with teams from Australia, Mexico, Canada and other countries coming to Kosciusko
County to compete for several weeks . “That for us is like bidding on the Olympics,” Hawblitzel said . Anyone interested in becoming a corporate sponsor of the Lake City Skiers, either for a regular season or for the world tournament, should send an email to info@lakecityskiers . org .
bers of the Webster GRACE ON THE WATER —Two mem . Photo provided by ance orm perf Ski Bees perform a lift during a Mike Jones.
A GRACEFUL LIFT — Members of the Lake City Skiers perform a lift durin g one of their shows. It takes approximately 50 skiers, along with 20 people, working behind the scenes to make each show a success. Photo provided by ATB Spo rts.