This is an event you would never believe is happening in little ol’ Maize, Kansas: the National Championships for water skiing! Mystic Lakes will host the Water Ski National Championships from August 7-13, 2022, and for the most part, it is free to watch. Armature skiers are expected to compete for national titles in trick skiing, slalom, jump and overall. This is the nation’s largest water ski celebration with world record-holding skiers in Kansas for seven days.
My husband and I attended this event when it was here in 2018. I was so impressed and wowed watching them do jumps and tricks. I have always enjoyed “Lake Life” but I had never seen anything like this. It was great being outside, cheering on skiers from all over the US, watching kids play in their swimsuits on the sandy beach and we met some of the families of participants. It was cool to hear their stories.
On Friday evening, August 11, they’ll have the pro event, the Americas Cup Invitational, where professional water skiers compete for $40,000 in cash prizes. This will take place from 7p.m. – 10:30 p.m. The Americas Cup includes night jumps, which, according to Kara Anderson, one of the local members of the Mystic Lakes Ski Club, are amazing to watch. She said a few years ago some of the jumpers went 200 feet from the end of the ramp in the dark! They will have stadium lights shining on the lake.
Watch the video to see what the Water Ski National Championships and pro event are like!
The cost for Friday’s event is only a $10-per-carload. Other than that, the Americas Cup pro waterskiing event is free for spectators. It starts at 7 p.m. and looks like it will be a good time.
The Mystic Lakes Ski Club, which includes three world-record capability water ski lakes, has previously hosted the Midwest Regional Water Ski Championships, Junior U.S. Open Water Ski Championships and Barefoot Water Ski National Championships. It will mark the first time that the state of Kansas has hosted the Water Ski National Championships. ~ usawaterski.org
Even if you don’t know much about the sport, you’ll be able to appreciate the skill these competitors have and enjoy watching them do slalom, trick, and jump. The national championships will bring in over 650 water skiers – in all age ranges – from around the country.
Bring blankets or lawn chairs to sit on the shores of the lake to enjoy the show. A complete schedule can be found at the AWSA National Water Ski Championships Facebook page.
But wait – how do I find Mystic Lakes? (I had to ask that question!) The three lakes are about a quarter-mile north of the intersection of 53rd and Tyler, in a neighborhood.
You should be able to map it by typing “Mystic Lakes Maize KS” into a Google Maps search, but here’s a helpful map that shows where to park. The parking will be off 53rd Street, and you should see some signs to point you in the right direction.
Stay “In the Know” by following us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/WichitaontheCheap
Thanks for visiting our free website for the Wichita Community. We do it because we Love ICT!
