VENETIAN GARDENS MAKING WAVES

Some of the most talented watersport athletes in the country hone their skills in Lake County.

For more than 30 years, World Wakeboard Center has hosted camps in wakeboarding, wakeskating, and wakesurfing on Lake Hansen in Groveland. The company, owned by Andy and Joni Hansen, teaches people of all skill levels.

Famous competitors who trained at World Wakeboard Center include X Games champion Dallas Friday, U.S. Open champion Trevor Hansen, 7-time world wakeskate champion Reed Hansen, and National Amateur Wakeskate champion Gib Gibbons. Similarly, waterskiing enthusiasts from around the country attend Jack Travers Waterski School, operated on Sunset Lakes in Groveland. Legendary coach Jack Travers operates the world-renowned waterski training center. A 2007 inductee to the Florida Waterski Hall of Fame, Jack has coached the World USA team, the U.S. World Elite team, and the U.S. World Junior team.

World Wakeboard Center

352.429.3574 / www.worldwakeboardcenter.com

JACK TRAVERS

WATERSKI SCHOOL

352.429.9027 / www.jacktravers.com

Sweet Streams

Lake County residents often drive to Orlando for all the city’s amenities. However, Orlando residents also come to Lake County to enjoy an increasingly popular watersport—kayaking.

At least that’s what Kenny Boyd has discovered. He and his wife, Jenny, own Eustis-based Central Florida Nature Adventures, LLC. They take both novice and experienced paddlers on kayak trips on local waterways such as Haynes Creek, Rock Springs, the Wekiva River and the St. Johns River.

“They are in awe because they’re completely out of their element,” he said. “Kayaking is so peaceful and relaxing because you leave behind our fast-paced society and feel like you’re one of the fi rst settlers who paddled these waterways hundreds of years ago.”

CENTRAL FLORIDA NATURE ADVENTURES, LLC

352. 589.7899 / centralfloridakayaktours.com

Get A Little Wet

Chances are, you drive right past our beautiful lakes on a daily basis. But have you ever taken the time to explore them?

Get Wet Watersports offers numerous ways for locals to experience the Harris Chain of Lakes in a way they’ve never done before. The Tavaresbased company offers boat, paddleboat, and pontoon rentals, as well as jet ski and kayak rentals.

In addition, the company provides guided tours on the county’s vast waterway system. One of those tours takes participants through the Dora Canal, which famous sportswriter Grantland Rice referred to as “the most beautiful mile of water in the world.”

Get Wet Watersports

1000 West Burleigh Blvd Tavares, FL 32778 352.253.0585 / tavareswatersports.com