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WORLD-RECORD LAKE
 Here
is what WaterSki
magazine had to say about Trophy lakes:
Waterski, May 2004
The Best Damn Ski Lake. Period.
By Chris Tauber
Trophy
Lakes, specifically Lake 1 of the three-lake site, has been tested,
and no one can beat its results. Owners Kim Bryant and Alan Sanner,
both of whom have shoresides homes at the site, have held record tournaments
since 1991. Andy Mapple notched a new world record here, 3 1/4 at 41
off. On the International Water Ski Federation's update of the men's
slalom world record, five of the past eight entries came from Trophy
Lakes. The women's world record has been set or tied here three of
the last five times. Until Jim Michaels set a new Men IV record last
year at his own lake, every age division from Men I to Men VI, except
Men III, set its record at Trophy Lakes. Mastercraft has kept the ball
rolling by offering a $25,000 bonus again this year for the skier who
can break the men's slalom world record at Trophy and hold it as of
December 31. In addition, the 21 flags hanging along the far side of
Lake 1 signify each country whose national record was set here.
>> FULL ARTICLE (Click thumbnails)
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Waterski, March 2001
A road trip to slalom utopia: Charleston Sabbatical
By Aimee Hagedorn
Photo by: Doug Dukane
Fall had arrived,
signaling the end of another ski season. Although skiing is my passion,
I always look forward to the ''off-season.'' Because I live in South
Florida and ski year-round, my ''off-season'' consists of getting back
to the gym during the week and then getting a few sets in on the weekends.
It’s also a great time to try new equipment, which is exactly
what one of my ski partners, Trish Burt, and I decided to do on a late
October weekend last fall.
On the Road
Craving a change in scenery, Trish and I headed to the beautiful
and charming city of Charleston, South Carolina. Famous for its historical
sights and cultural attractions, Charleston is also home to Trophy Lakes –
a water skier’s paradise. There are two world-class, man-made ski
lakes at the site, and dozens of world and national records have been
set here. Since Trophy Lakes is only six miles from downtown Charleston,
it is easy to get to the city to enjoy the many attractions it has to
offer. If you’re a water skier and a tourist, you get the best
of both worlds when you visit Charleston.
As it turns out, Trish and I weren’t the only ones with the idea
to get away and experiment with new skis. Arriving at the lake Saturday
morning, we met Pete Smith from Mt. Airy, North Carolina, who had come
down to check out Trophy Lakes’ recently expanded pro shop. Seth
Stisher, pro shop manager, ski school instructor and a challenger on
the U.S. Pro Water Ski Tour, greeted us. After making our selections
from the shop, Seth set up some skis for us to try.
Checking It Out
First, however, we each took a set on our own ski to familiarize ourselves
with the way the water felt. Trophy Lakes is known for its ''slow,''
forgiving water, so we wanted to test it out before trying a new stick.
The water feels slow because it is clear and deep, allowing the ski to
ride low in the water and provide awesome deceleration in the turns.
One of the great advantages of slow water is that you can get in trouble
in the course and have time to correct your mistakes. This characteristic
is one of the reasons for so many great performances at Trophy Lakes
and is also valuable when trying new skis.
Trish and I both tested a 2001 H.O. Phantom while Pete tried the new
KD 7000CG. Our slalom styles vary, so we each look for something different
in a ski. Trish tends to ski with a lot of speed and power, so she needs
a ski that can match her acceleration but also compensate for her power
by slowing her down in the turns. On the other hand, I ski with less
speed and more technique, so I look for a ski that will provide me with
plenty of acceleration across the wakes. With the ideal ''slalom physique'' –
tall and slender – Pete has a height advantage and desires a ski
that can make quick, tight-radius turns.
During our sets, we conveyed to Seth what we were feeling on the ski
in regard to acceleration, deceleration and turning properties, and he
would make adjustments accordingly. These adjustments entailed changing
the fin depth or length, the wing angle, or even binding placement. Only
one adjustment could be made at a time so we could evaluate the effect
of each change.
Out and About
After several hours of testing skis with varying degrees of success,
we found ourselves hungry for food and sightseeing, so Trish, Pete, Seth
and I headed downtown. First we feasted on a hot Southern meal from Jestine’s
Kitchen, and then we strolled down Market Street and through the aisles
of vendors at the City Market. One of the most familiar sights at the
Market is that of the basket-weaving ladies selling their handcrafted
sweetgrass creations on every corner.
Our next destination was Waterfront Park. With a 400-foot pier that
overlooks the scenic Cooper River, it’s a perfect place to take a leisurely
break from shopping and sightseeing. We then headed down East Bay Street
to the Battery for a quick history lesson. Beyond the Battery’s
seawall is Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter, the site at which the Civil
War began on April 12, 1861.
At the end of the afternoon, the lake beckoned us once again. As slalom
die-hards, none of us could resist taking one more set on Trophy Lakes’
glassy waters. Once the sun had set, Trish, Pete and I returned to our
hotel rooms to get ready for dinner and drinks in the heart of Charleston.
For dinner, Seth guided us to a wonderful tapas restaurant called Meritäge.
We dined outdoors while Seth entertained us all with his dry wit and
Pete with his southern accent. After our meal, we sampled the Charleston
nightlife at Henry’s on Market Street, an upscale gathering place
for locals and tourists alike. We people-watched and talked about the
day of testing and training over a few drinks until we called it a night.
It’s a Wrap
We returned to Trophy Lakes early Sunday morning to get in another
quick set or two before hitting the road. Kim Bryant, one of the
site’s
owners, joined us as our driver this time so Seth could focus on dialing
in the skis. After a few more tweaks of the fin, Trish found herself
the owner of a new HO Phantom. Seth recorded the fin measurements and
binding placement for her, and he flex-tested the ski as well. Used by
every ski manufacturer, the flex-test machine enables water skiers to
find a ski with a flex pattern that matches their ski style.
After calling it a wrap, Seth, Pete, Trish and I headed to the Starfish
Grille at Folly Beach Pier for brunch. While dining on the outdoor porch,
we enjoyed beautiful panoramic views of the ocean, beach, and pier.
It was a long drive for a short stay, but any trip to Charleston and
Trophy Lakes is well worth the time. If you can tear yourself away from
the lake, there is much to see and do in and around Charleston. The few
sights that Trish, Pete, Seth and I took in don’t even begin to
scratch the surface. In addition to fine dining and shopping, there are
numerous other activities and attractions. Charleston’s beauty
and charm, as well as the superb water-skiing facilities, will draw you
in quickly and lure you back time and again.
Aimee Hagedorn is a national champion slalom skier who spent three summers
working and training at Trophy Lakes. She now lives and trains in West
Palm Beach, Florida.
Waterski, March 1996
Magic Water, and how it helps break records at Trophy Lakes
By Richard Brunelli
Ever think about
water? I mean, really think about those undulating molecules of hydrogen
and oxygen that form the perfect platform for water skiing? It seems
fairly obvious that water would have a big impact on skiing. But precisely
quantifying why some water at places like Trophy Lakes seems to be
better than other water is no easy task. Certain laws about water at
it pertains to skiing, however, are immutable.
In general, warm water is preferable for top-notch slalom skiing. This
is because warmer water allows a skier to decelerate as he or she rounds
the buoys. Think of maple syrup. As syrup gets colder, it gets thicker.
Water, to a lesser degree, operates under the same principle. When water
cools, its molecules contract, keeping a ski riding slightly higher.
"For top-ranked slalom skiers the hardest part is slowing down to make
a controlled turn," says Mark Crone, who has headed our elite slalom test
team in the past years and has competed at Trophy Lakes. "Having water
that will help you do that is a real advantage."
Another factor is depth. Shallow lakes are faster because the water is
compressed by the bottom of the lake. Conversely, deeper water aids top
slalom skiers, who cut across the wake at 50-60 mph and need to decelerate
around buoys.
Minerals and suspended particles also play a role. Skiing in water with
a high mineral content -- salt water, for example -- forces the ski to
ride higher in the water because the water is more dense. Suspended particles
that deflect light and diminish the clarity of water can have a frictional
affect on the ski. Clear water, therefore, has slightly less drag on
the ski and allows for a faster run.
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Call us for more info:
843-559-2520
Trophy Lakes
3050 Marlin Road,
Johns Island
South Carolina, USA
29455 |
