Since Lake Lotawana was formed, people have been enjoying water sports in this beautiful setting. Kids of all ages dive into the youth sailing and waterski clubs, learning new skills, socializing and making new friends, and anyone who lives at Lake Lotawana can participate.
The Lake Lotawana Waterski Club was started in the late 1950s, and Lotawana legend Don Thompson was one of the Lotawana kids recruited to ski for a Kansas City TV special.
“Since the 1960s the Ski Club has been an organized group of families who enjoy waterskiing and performing at the annual Lake Carnival, ‘Lotawana Day,’ Sarah Frashier, current president, coach and boat driver, says. “Many of the current club members have grandparents who skied when they were kids. The Ski Club was a huge part of my childhood growing up at Lotawana. I took a few years off from skiing while in college, traveling and having a few kids. Once my own children were skiers, we’ve been all in for the last 14 years.”
The club has around 150 members, and some 100 skiers of all ages. They practice two nights a week from June through August. A typical practice takes 10 to 15 adult volunteers who drive ski and safety boats, act as safety swimmers/coordinators, rope coilers, coaches, costume directors and show directors while also skiing.
A three-hour practice has two boats pulling skiers non-stop while they learn new skills, practice show acts or just have fun with friends.
“The Lake Lotawana Waterski Club is a very unique type of sports team. Our club is one of the only sports around where all members of the family are encouraged to participate,” Sarah smiles. “At any given practice spectators will watch in awe as children as young as three interact with teens and adults as old as 75 with one similar mission - enjoying the sport of waterskiing. Our club prides itself on providing a safe, encouraging environment for families to come together to learn new skills and have fun on the water. An underlying theme for the ski club has always been to ‘pass it on.’ Teach the skills that someone taught you to someone new!”
Kids are impacted by these multi-age teams that are family oriented. leading to friendships and camaraderie within the community. They learn to set goals, conquer new skills, work as a team, leadership skills, communication, volunteerism and the joy of active fun.
All skill levels are encouraged to participate. Many of our skiers with special needs find a sport where they fit in and get to shine, and many members have taken their waterskiing skills to the next level and skied for college teams.
“My favorite part of the club is watching teenagers lead trainings, challenge each other to learn something new and take new members under their wings. I always enjoy convincing parents to ski and participate. It’s way more fun than sitting on the sidelines!” she notes. “I enjoy seeing the pure joy on a kid’s face the first time he gets a dock start, makes it around the full loop, or climbs to the top of a pyramid and waves to the giant crowd on show day.”
Their annual show is July 22 at 1 p.m. and open to the public.
Kristen Falkenberg is the Youth Sailing Coordinator for the Missouri Yacht Club. She is in a long line of lake residents providing sailing instruction for the youth at Lake Lotawana.
“The Youth Sailing Program started around 1953 when several lake families purchased sailboats for their children and friends of their children so they could learn to sail,” Kristen notes. “My father Chuck, who is now 77, was part of that summer program growing up. Several of the moms coordinated lessons, then races, followed by a lunch by the water. The mothers who ran my father’s sailing program were Midge Robinson and Betty Claggett. Over the years many moms and dads have volunteered to be the sailing instructors for the youth sailing program. Currently, I work with Jenny Wickstrom to facilitate the three youth sailing programs at our lake. An interesting fact is Jenny's mother, Paulla Martin, was our sailing instructor when we were kids!”
Since its inception, the club has become more organized, and they now do training through US Sailing, the national governing body for sailing in the United States, to be more effective with more participants.
Kristen believes the number one impact is this sailing organization at the lake builds a sense of community.
“I am still friends with the kids I sailed with when I was a kid, back in the 1980's. I am now ‘Aunt Chicken’ to their kids,” she smiles. “The other impact is sailing is challenging physically, mentally and requires concentration. Our races are about 15 to 20 minutes for our young kids, which can be quite challenging, especially if they struggle.”
The weekend sailors (adults) can have races as long as an hour to 90 minutes.
These programs are for lake residents and renters, their family members, including children, grandkids, nieces or nephews.
“We do offer one regional regatta for experienced youth sailors from other lakes the Friday before Summer Solstice, which this year was June 16th,” she continues. “Lake Perry hosts a youth regatta at the end of the summer. We hope to develop a regional connection for our youth racers.”
(Quote from youth sailor and ski club member)
“Lake Lotawana ski club and sailing are so great. I love it because I love to be outside and in the sun. Helping the littles learn how to do all the fun things gives me so much happiness to see them succeed.” Graysen Chamblin