Catch the Ski-A-Rees before winter break

The family tradition continues with third-generation performers.

By Dana Kampa
| 10:00 a.m. October 22, 2025

Despite choppy conditions, the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees finished last Sunday's show with a grand finale three-tier pyramid.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Viewers have two more chances to catch the high-flying waterside action of the Ski-A-Rees this season.

The acrobats will don their waterskis at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 for the last time before their winter break. They will return in February.

Teams delighted audiences last Sunday on Sarasota Bay.

Despite choppy conditions, they pulled off their famous three-tier pyramid, swivel tricks, ramp jumps and many other impressive moves.

One star of the show was Lyla Robbins, who celebrated her second birthday two weeks ago. She may be the group's youngest member, but with father Lance Robbins holding her securely on his shoulders while skiing, she beamed and blew kisses to the audience like any professional performer.

Lyla is part of the third generation of skilled water skiers in her family. Lance and her mother, Jennifer, met on the team. He has long performed with his brother, Brian, and his father, Russ, along with other family members.

"There are a lot of multi-generational families on the team, which is part of what makes it so great," he said.

The show is free to attend, but organizers noted that donations go a long way in helping support their ongoing efforts to rebuild the hurricane-damaged facilities.

Lance and 2-year-old Lyla Robbins hit the water on Sunday at Sarasota Bay with the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees for the fourth of six shows this season.

The stadium was packed at Sunday's Ski-A-Rees water skiing show on Sarasota Bay. Shows continue through the first Sunday of November then resume in February.

The Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team demonstrated on the dock how they construct their pyramid, a special treat for attendees at the Oct. 19 performance on Sarasota Bay.

The jumping team trio of brothers Ryan, Garrett and Travis Bouley pulls off a helicopter move even in less-than-ideal water skiing conditions on Oct. 19 at Sarasota Bay.

Lance and Lyla Robbins throw a wave to the crowd at the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees show.

The Sarasota Ski-A-Rees maintain a uniform line even with challenging wave conditions.

Natalie Brannon and Lauren Taylor Nock do several tricks on one ski during the Oct. 19 Ski-A-Rees show.

Abby Duplissey and Lance Robbins go flying across Sarasota Bay.

Patty Foley, board vice president, flies centerstage on Sarasota Bay as the Ski-A-Rees perform their fourth show of the season on Oct. 19.

Steph Ouellette performs a trick standing on one ski during the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Oct. 19 performance.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.