What About the SPLWSA?

It all began in 1957 with one man's dream to construct a water ski jump. His passion for water skiing, coupled with the high cost of building and maintaining a water ski jump, was the driving force which led to the formation of the Prior Lake Water Ski Association, now the Shockwaves (Shakopee-Prior Lake Water Ski Association). The following year the dream became reality as founder Jim Peterson and a handful of talented skiers built their jump and used it to entertain a crowd with the club's first water ski show.

What began with a handful of local skiers and a single show to support a jump has grown into a 180-plus member organization. The club's show team has traveled throughout the Upper Midwest entertaining hundreds of thousands of spectators over the years. The show team has skied for many special events throughout the region including the Minneapolis Aquatennial, St. Paul Riverfest, and large corporate events as well as numerous city festivals.

In addition to performing water ski shows, club members have also been active in competitive skiing at the State, Regional, and National levels. The club's instruction and assistance have helped several skiers to become regional and national champions.

Membership in the Shakopee-Prior Lake Water Ski Association (SPLWSA) is divided into several categories. Active members (those with USA Waterski insurance) can participate in any or all club activities.

The show team is the largest and most visible branch of the club. During the course of a season the show team performs and travels to communities throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.

The club has a large body of tournament skiers who compete in the 3 traditional disciplines of slalom, jump, and trick skiing. Although not as formally structured as the show team, SPLWSA skiers compete regularly at both regional and national levels.

Our newest addition is Quarry Lake. A private lake near Shakopee, MN, that is for the exclusive use of club members. See the link to the left for more information.

We also offer the general public ski and wakeboard lessons. This has been a huge success and if you are interested in using this service, be sure to sign up early in the year- they fill up fast!

Not everyone in the group is involved with shows and tournaments. The club also has many activities for beginners and recreational skiers. Ski clinics taught by some of our more talented skiers, and open ski nights provide skiers of all abilities the opportunity to improve their skills as they share a common passion for water skiing.

The Shockwaves Junior Development Team is designed to provide a safe, quality, affordable and fun environment for Shockwaves junior skiers, aged 8-16, to develop three-event skills in slalom, jump and trick skiing.

We also partner with the Courage Center to run an adaptive water-ski program that is held on certain Sunday evenings at Quarry Lake.

Despite the name, the Shakopee-Prior Lake Water Ski Association is much more than just a water ski club. There are many club sponsored social activities throughout the year. Wild game dinners, down hill ski trips, bicycle brunches, cross country ski progressive dinner parties, and hayrides are just a few of the activities that give club members a chance to get together off the water.

There are monthly club meetings on every second Tues. of the month in Prior Lake, MN. The meetings start at 7p.m. Sept thru May, 8p.m. June thru August. Please contact us for directions to these meetings if you are interested.