Michigan Water Ski Club Wows Crowds With Free Summer Shows

Every Tuesday evening at Silver Lake Park in Fenton, Michigan, something magical happens on the water that most locals don't even know exists.

The Silver Lake Ski Club has been performing free weekly water skiing shows since 1960, thrilling beachgoers with human pyramids, synchronized formations, and daring stunts. Despite over 60 years of summer performances, the club remains one of the area's best-kept secrets.

"When I bring it up to many of my friends in college, like, no one really knows," says Lexie Affrica, 19, the club's show director. She started skiing with the team when she was just 2 years old.

Lexie is following in impressive footsteps. Her father, Sean Affrica, skied professionally around the world and performed at Sea World. Now she leads a multigenerational team that transforms Silver Lake into a summer stage every week.

The sport of show skiing is huge in Wisconsin and Florida but remains relatively unknown in Michigan. That makes the Silver Lake club even more special for those who discover it.

John Jurewicz, 63, never expected to stick with the sport this long. The architect by trade is now in his 12th season with the club, motivated by his daughter's interest. He's won numerous awards and helped set world records, including a Guinness World Record.

The team practices twice weekly, perfecting their pyramid formations and synchronized routines. When a rope snaps during practice, they laugh it off and try again. Younger members like 16-year-olds Molly Frasier and Hayden Shettler brace each other on floating docks before boats pull them across the lake.

This summer's theme is "Silver Lake Resort and Spa." Lexie's mother announces each act as skiers glide past spectators on vintage wooden show boards and form elaborate human towers on the water.

Sunny's Take

There's something beautiful about a tradition that doesn't need promotion or recognition to keep going. These skiers practice in the early evenings, perfect their formations, wind their ropes, and perform for free simply because they love it. Families ski together across generations, teaching kids as young as 2 to balance on water. They fall, they laugh, they climb back up on each other's shoulders and try again.

The best part? You can watch it all for free any Tuesday evening at Silver Lake Park.

If you're ever in Fenton on a summer Tuesday, head to the beach around evening time. You might just witness a 64-year tradition that proves the best things in life are often the ones nobody's talking about.

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