A Complete Skier's Travel Log of Me

1) Lake Cumberland (Jamestown, Kentucky)

This has been my spot to ski and tube since I was a few weeks old. This is the worlds largest man-made lake with thousands of miles of forest covered shoreline. This lake is also known as the "Houseboat Capital of the World," due to the countless yachts scattered across the lake.

The downside of all of this is that it gets crowded during the day.  If you want to ski on smooth water here, you must be on the water by about 8:30 am (sounds crazy to get up that early in vacation, I know). Getting up this early allows you to get water that I compare to glass. The only other people that are on the lake this early are bass fishers, who stay on the shore. The other option, if you don't like to get up early, is at about 6 pm til sunset. At this point in the day, most people have pulled in to a dock to eat some dinner and call it a day. However, not everyone does this, so you will still get some boat traffic, unlike in the morning where there is none.

Now, as far as where to ski on the lake, you have many options. The place I ski is around State Dock Island and down Greasy Creek. If you aren't anywhere near these areas, my best advice is to explore some of the longer coves and find an area you like.

Lake Cumberland September 2013

2) Lake Mirage (New Haven, Indiana)

I've skied at this lake once a year for the past two years (with INT League since this is a private lake). Located right off of interstate 465 and made as a strip pit, this little lake is great for skiers. This lake is equipped with one recreation dock, one tournament dock, and a turn around island on one end. Waves on this lake dissipate almost instantly due to, the size of it.The lake is a little bit wide, but this is okay because it works out better for wake boarders.

Lake Mirage August 2014

Lake Mirage August 2014

3) Lake Sharp- Thomas Degasperi Ski School (Orlando, Florida)

Lake Sharp has been one of my favorite places I've skied for many reasons. One reason was the lake it's self. Finding the lake was difficult at first, because the entrance is hidden behind brand new condos, but once you find the lake it's like your deep in the Everglades all alone. The bank is covered in cat tails and trees. Waves are nonexistent on this lake, even though it's very wide with a course and jump ramp with room to spare. The next reason I loved this lake was the boat. When I was there in March it was a 2014 Response Txi (one of my favorite boats I've skied behind). The horsepower of this boat was unlike any other, pulling you out of the water in seconds. But wait there's more, every year there will be a new Txi due to Thomas Degasperi's sponsorship with Malibu Boats. The final reason this is an outstanding lake is Coach T-Gas. In just two hours of working with him he completely changed my skiing, not to mention the overall friendliness and hospitality. Thomas Degasperi is a two time world champion who has had a winning reputation since the age of eight. Just watch out for the occasional alligator or snake!

2014 Response Txi

T-Gas Ski School

Me At T-Gas Ski School

4) Pleasant Shores (Van Wert, Ohio)

Pleasant Shores is summed up as the slalom skiers paradise. Fully setup for tournaments with judges towers and a PA system along the shoreline of the lake. The lake is very shallow and lined with rocks, so once again waves are not present here. Also, on both ends there is turn around islands. For my taste being an amateur tournament skier these islands are very tight and very difficult. On one of my first times going around these islands I ended up in the rocks at the base of the island because I lost control of the ski coming around the corner right after the takeoff. Oh and did I mention the two story water slide on the lake?

Pleasant Shores July 2014

5) Sunsite Lake (Dayton, Ohio)

I only skied on this lake once last year, but the thing that stands out to me was the cleanliness of this lake. The color of this water is bluer than most parts of the ocean. This lake is located right across the highway from the University of Dayton. This lake is a wide for ideal water skiing and leaves some waves behind. However, it's still better than public lakes and functions well for tournaments.

Sunsite Lake July 2013

6) Morse Lake (Noblesville, Indiana)

I live near Morse and have only skied on it once. The one time I did I had a terrible time trying to find smooth water. It was a Monday morning and no one was on the lake but still could find nothing. Your best bet is just to find some straight shoreline and just work your way around the lake. Also this is the dirtiest water I've skied in. The visibility might be a few inches but it's still water, and sometimes you gotta make do with what you have.