Historical Pine Lake Slalom Course ….
The video above is from our archives - please note - everyone should always wear a life jacket for water sports.
Michigan is one of the top 3 states in the U.S. for number of slalom skiers and has an active grass roots and professional tournament scene, as well as the Michigan Waters Ski Association. Pine Lake has our fair share of true inboard, flat bottom ski boats and over 2 dozen course skiers that come out early in the mornings to chase both the flat water and those buoys. Michigan All Sport lakes that have slalom courses are sought by home buyers that are interested in this unique sport. Our slalom course has long been an important fixture of Pine Lake, dating back to the early 1970’s, it is one of the longest running ski courses in southeast Michigan!
Did you know?
· Our slalom course is positioned to be protected by the prevailing wind and is also in the shallower parts of the lake. Surf and wake board boats prefer deeper water, which provides better waves. With the larger boats in the deeper main lake and surf lanes, the smaller slalom boats and skiers in the bay, remaining traffic is able to find good water too – it seems to be work out well!
· Once a skier makes all 6 turn buoys designated speed, they shorten the rope to make it more challenging (or delightfully frustrating). The rope line length is referred to as “xx feet off”. For example, red is 15’ off (of the 75’ line), orange is 22’ off, yellow is 28’ off, and so on. A skier is gratified when they either make the 6 buoys or shorten the line, and then the sport becomes addictive.
· If you see slalom skiers in the course in the bay, it is probably before 10 am. If you can, please try to respect their sport by sending no wakes nearby since they will turn around and come back through the course, hoping for flat water.
· Pine Lake slalom buoys are attached by flexible surgical tubing and zip ties. This provides a sacrificial link that gives way and protects the skier and the boat. Unfortunately, this also means that jet skis and large boats can dislodge the buoys. It is not designed to be a jet ski course, and the marine sheriff has been known to pull jet skiers and non-skiers over for damaging or using the course for other than skiing. If you see a buoy come off, or floating around, please return it to Pine Lake Marina so we can collect and re-install.
· If a skier falls, you may wonder why the boat idles back so slow and does not turn back quickly to get the skier. There are several reasons for this. If the driver or observer sees a hand go up from the fallen skier, they know he or she is ok, they want to keep the water flat, and keep an eye out for the rope snagging a buoy. It is all part of the etiquette of flat water.
Want to know more or learn more about slalom skiing? Pine Lake Marina offers the Water Ski Academy (248) 682-2180) and many Pine Lake skiers are willing to help. Here are some links to some ski websites for all levels, including new skiers:
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Water-Ski/Information-For-Newcomers
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Water-Ski/Basic-Skills-Challenge-Series
Slalom skiing is one of the many great things about Pine Lake!