HomeMy WebLinkAbout09(A) - Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Establish a Slow No-Wake Zone on Lower Prior Lake on Saturday, September 9, 2023 ReportReed’s Island
Slow No-Wake Area
Group name leading event:Midwest Show Skiers
Event Date:Saturday, September 9, 2023, 6:30AM -3:00PM
Sunday, September 10th as a backup date for inclement weather
Note: This is AFTER Labor Day, when boating traffic significantly diminishes
Request:Institute a no-wake on Lower Prior Lake from 6:30AM until 3:00PM or completion of
the event, whichever is earlier, on September 9th, 2023 for all boats not involved with the World
Record attempt. It is also requested the Sand Point boat launch is closed for the day for any
boats not involved in the event.
There will not be a no-wake restriction on Upper Prior Lake nor on Lower Prior Lake between
Reeds Island and Grainwood Crossing.
If approved, we will work with the Scott County Sheriff’s office to provide water patrols during the
event.
Reason for Request:Ensure the safety of the approximate 100 water skiers being towed
behind a high-power, 900HP boat. A no-wake will ensure that no boats interfere with the boat
path, and there is no safe way for the boat to quickly stop nor to make any sudden changes in
direction.
Event:
A group of USA Water Ski members from across the Midwest will attempt to break the current
93-person water skiing pyramid. Most of these individuals, including several from the Prior Lake
Water Ski Association, have participated in previous world record attempts.
This event requires about a 1.5 mile course, and for the safety of all those involved, requires
calm water. You can imagine how one surf boat wake would pose imminent danger to the skiers
climbing pyramids with this many people and this many skies.
This event is pushing the limits of what is possible. A pyramid of this size has never been
attempted before.
Safety of those participating in the event and others on the lake is our first and foremost
concern. On the day of the event, we will have a nationally certified safety coordinator and all
boat drivers are nationally certified as well. All certifications are done through the safety
certification program mandated by USA Waterski and the National Show Ski Association.
Every person involved in this record attempt is a member of the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports
organization, are experienced in show skiing, and focus on safety while enjoying this active
sport. This is a sanctioned event of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports, and as such, liability and
medical insurance is provided for those directly involved in the activity.
This event helps achieve several of the Prior Lake Strategic Vision objectives:
Prior Lake 2040 Strategic Plan
GOAL: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP & RECREATION
GOAL: PUBLIC SAFETY
Explore ways to encourage downtown as a vibrant destination.
This event will bring new people to our small town community. Resources will be made
available to our visitors to attract them to Downtown Prior Lake and surrounding businesses.
By working with the Sheriff and instituting this no-wake, we will ensure a safe and fun event.
This event is expected to bring in about 400 people into our community for the weekend. These
individuals would be staying at our local hotels, spending money at our boutiques, and eating
out at our restaurants and quenching their thirsts (and perhaps celebrating their record) at our
local bars.
This will also be a great spectator event. Boats will be encouraged to anchor along the course,
and spectators can also watch from Sand Point Beach.
Water skiing was invented in Minnesota in 1922, so its about time that this state hosts a water
skiing world record, and what better location than Prior Lake!
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Friday, Sept 8th
●All participants arrive. Several local establishments will be reserved for dinner.
●Blocks of hotel rooms will be reserved for the estimate 300 out of town guests.
Saturday, Sept 9th
●Pre-dawn -- Certified surveyor on site with volunteers to lay out buoy course to officially
measure the distance of the record attempt. These are large buoys, similar to the
existing orange 150ft buoys. Floating docks anchored in Cows Bay.
Note: May strive to set up docks on Friday, September 8th.
●6:00AM -- Safety meeting for all participants
●6:30AM -- First attempt
●12:00PM -- Break for lunch (if record is not achieved)
●3:00PM -- Final attempt to be completed. Buoys and docks removed from lake.
●Sand Point beach will be primary viewing area. Volunteers will ensure any litter is picked
up in the park.
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