Sarasota Ski-A-Rees host first show since hurricanes

Crested waves were visible as the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Show Team headed into Sarasota Bay on Feb. 16.

Although the team didn't find the ideal conditions, they still found a sense of fun as they performed signature waterskiing moves, including jumps and their pyramid formation.

Yet something had, in fact, been hindering the ski shows prior to that day: The destruction wrought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

A site that was a little rougher around the edges indicated some of the damage, as crowds of attendees still turned out and filled the bleachers. 

"Everyone's out here for fun," said Ella. "They love seeing the falls as much as they love seeing something work, because it's super entertaining, so I don't feel like anyone feels like a lot of pressure to be perfect."

Rough waters 

All members of the organization, a 501c3 nonprofit which teaches waterskiing and water safety to people of all ages, are involved in a volunteer capacity. 

That meant members could only turn out on weekends to work on repairs. 

"I think a lot of people would have questioned whether or not we'd be doing any shows at all this season, so it's pretty cool that we're at this threshold, this milestone, I guess," said Brian Robbins, a member of nearly 40 years. 

Hurricane Helene brought mainly water and storm surge-related damage to the property, while Milton exacerbated the issues with more wind damage and fallen trees. 

Some of the major water damage included a dock being lifted and moved to a neighbor's property, the stage being lifted over the deck, and a section of the concrete walkway being hollowed out.

When Milton came, numerous Australian pines were toppled, resulting in the ski shed and costume shed having to be re-enclosed and the costumes collected from the surrounding area.

"All of our trees had yellow insulation just covering them from all of the destruction," said Lance Robbins, Brian Robbins' brother. "There were just hanging limbs and everything everywhere."

Yet amid the repairs needed to community members' own homes, there was still help to be found.

One Ski-A-Rees member who was a site work contractor was able to help with replenishing sand, while another brought friends from the outrigger canoe rowing at Nathan Benderson Park on multiple occasions, and Sutter Roofing helped recover the overturned bleachers through the use of their crane.

Loss of the ability to perform was financially taxing, members said, with shows being the organization's main source of revenue. 

Walker, a senior in high school, said due to the damage, she missed out on the season she'd been hoping for. 

Muscle memory

Although members of the ski team had little chance for practice recently, they nonetheless were confident as they prepared to enter the water. 

Following the show, skier Andrew Hawblitzel said it was a good day despite the conditions, still calling the weather "beautiful."

"Everything becomes muscle memory, like riding a bike, so the longer you do it, the more you just know you're going to go out there and do what you know," he said. 

He also said the weather wasn't a hindrance to having fun. 

"Unpredictable weather leads to the best practice, ultimately, so it was a fun time," he said. "A big crowd came out to support for the first show back, so can't ask for much more than that."

Brian Robbins concurred. 

"We only get to do so many of these shows a year, and just to have it completely packed like this, and to see the community show up, it's really exciting to be able to share something so unique."