A young skier learning on the boom, coach an arm's length away

Ages 5–14 · Every Summer Since 1987

The Dock Where
Kids Become Skiers.

Boom starts beside the boat. Coaches who were once the kids on this same dock. Parents on the grass bank with cameras. It's been working for nearly forty years.

New Kids on the Water

Why Kids Get Up
Here When They
Couldn't Elsewhere.

Behind a family boat, a kid gets a shouted instruction, a rope, and one chance in ten. Here, they get the boom: a rigid bar on the side of the boat, a coach close enough to hold a conversation, and a speed that matches their nerves. The deep-water start — the thing that defeats almost everyone — isn't part of day one at all.

The program is called New Kids on the Water. It has run every summer since 1987, and it's where a meaningful share of the 3,000-plus people this lake has taught took their very first pull — including two future world champions who started on this exact dock.

A young skier concentrating, up on skis
First-session focus

Two Ways In

Session or Camp.

Ages 5–14 · Scheduled sessions

New Kids on the Water

The classic introduction: boom starts, patient coaching, and a dock full of high-fives, run as scheduled sessions through the summer. All gear provided — swimsuit and towel is the whole packing list.

Session dates & booking

$250 · 2 days

Kids Camp

For the kid who did a session and hasn't stopped talking about it: two intensive days of water time, technique, and reps with the coaching team.

Camp dates

Appendix Q — installs here This season's exact session dates/times and the youngest-age policy in Kristy's words land here from the operational questionnaire. Dates are always current on the booking page.

For the Parents

Your Questions,
Straight.

How do I know my kid is ready?
Two signs matter more than age: they're comfortable in deep water wearing a life jacket, and they want to try. The program takes ages 5 to 14; younger is a phone call, not a no — the founder taught his own family on this water. (780) 616-1206.
Who's driving the boat?
Coaches from the family that built this place — including world champions who grew up learning on this exact dock. The boom keeps your kid beside the boat and beside the coach, not fifty feet behind it.
Can I watch?
Please do. Both banks are natural grass seating, and every New Kids session has a shoreline of parents with cameras. You'll see the whole thing — including the moment.
What if they're scared at the dock?
Common, and fine. Coaches here have nearly forty years of nervous first-timers behind them — the first minutes get slower, the boom gets lower, and nobody is ever forced. Some kids watch one session and ski the next. That counts too.
What do we bring?
Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen. Skis, fitted life jacket, wetsuit, and gloves are all provided and sized to your kid at the dock.
Kids' sessionsages 5–14 · gear included
Book