About Us

Okeeheelee Park

Okeeheelee Park, a 900-acre county park in central Palm Beach County,

is home to a world-class waterskiing facility. Its waters have been a

haven for both professional and

amateur skiers for over twenty years.

There are five freshwater ski lakes custom-designed for competition

waterskiing, one of which is even lighted for night-time use. Four of the

five lakes feature slalom

courses, while one lake provides a jump ramp

and is dedicated to jumping and wakeboarding.

The lakes at Okeeheelee are a virtual breeding ground for competitive

waterskiers and wakeboarders alike. Dozens of regional, national, and

even world champions and

record holders train or have trained at

Okeeheelee on a permanent or intermittent basis.

Although Okeeheelee Park is a county park, the ski lakes are

maintained jointly by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation

Department and the Ski Club of the Palm

Beaches.

The ski club is a non-profit organization comprised of over 100 active

and supportive members who volunteer their time and effort to help put

on events such as local,

regional, national, international, and

professional tournaments.

Each year the ski club holds four to five local, traditional skiing (slalom,

trick, and jump) tournaments. It is from these events that the ski club

raises money to maintain the

waterski facilities at the park.

Over the years, the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches and Okeeheelee Park

have hosted

Five Southern Regional Championships - 1984, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2002

Eleven National Championships - 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1997,

1998, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009

One World Championship - 1989

Three professional tournaments - the first pro tour stop, 1984; the first U.

S. Open, 1986; the first America's Cup, 2000

In 1997, both the Southern Regional and National Championships were

held back-to-back at Okeeheelee.

Besides waterskiing, Okeeheelee Park offers many amenities,

including a 27-hole golf course; soccer, softball, and baseball fields;

tennis and volleyball courts; a BMX track;

a nature center; playgrounds;

asphalt trails for biking, blading, running, or walking; additional lakes for

fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and RC boating; and picnic pavilions

throughout the park. There's something for everyone at Okeeheelee

Park!

About Us

MISSION STATEMENT

For the Water Ski Facilities of Okeeheelee Park

To ensure access to a well-maintained, safe, world-class ski
facility at Okeeheelee Park

To promote a forum for the free exchange of knowledge and
techniques to expand and to develop the sport of traditional
water skiing

To organize community residents through volunteerism to host
and conduct tournaments, clinics, and other ski related
activities benefiting the sport and Palm Beach County

To provide a friendly social environment for teaching and
participating in amateur traditional water skiing without
personal financial gain

To maintain and improve water ski facilities at Okeeheelee
Park with volunteer efforts

Our History

Okeeheelee Park celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2001. Prior to the park's

establishment, a handful of waterskiers in the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches

had a vision and a plan to incorporate ski lakes into the design of the park.

From 1975 to 1981, the ski club worked with the Palm Beach County Parks

Department and the Okeeheelee Advisory Committee. After overcoming

objections from county officials and demonstrating how waterskiing facilities

would enhance the park, the skiers prevailed and a world-class ski site was

born.

The skiing facilities are maintained by Palm Beach County Parks and

Recreation and the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches. Although the county

developed the lakes, no monies were allocated by the county for site

improvements. Instead, ski club members came together in the beginning

and loaned money to the club to build the first boat ramp and install two

slalom courses.

Throughout the history of the site, the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches has

funded all of the physical improvements to the site. Each year the club

spends approximately $15-25,000 to maintain the courses, docks, jump

ramp, and other facilities.

The ski club also developed all of the site improvements. Club members built

the boat docks, pavilions, judges towers, and clubhouse. They installed the

slalom and jump courses and ramp and landscaped the areas surrounding

the docks, as well.

The ski club holds frequent work parties to maintain the site. Indeed, it is the

countless hours of volunteerism for over two decades that have helped the

site at Okeeheelee become and remain a world class waterskiing facility.

Okeeheelee is an excellent example of how local clubs and local government

can work together to fulfill a goal. Because of the efforts of the ski club and its

partnership with Palm Beach County officials, waterskiers have access to

custom-built ski lakes.

As a feature of a county park, the ski site is open to the public and certain

rules apply to enhance the skiing experience at Okeeheelee and ensure

safety for all.

In order for county officials to better understand our sport and develop fair and

consistent regulations, the ski club assists the county with updating the rules.

For example, only AWSA-approved towboats are allowed on the ski lakes

and, for a nominal fee, a yearly boat permit is required.

One of the goals of the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches is to help promote the

sport of waterskiing. The sport will grow only through accessibility to quality

ski sites.

The ski facility at Okeeheelee was a dream of a few avid waterskiers that

came true because of persistence, hard work, and life-long friendships. It is a

model that, if duplicated across the country, will enable the sport to grow.