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Ski Hawks fly over Lake Mohawk

| 26 Jul 2017 | 02:51
    The Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks Water Ski Show Team pose at Lake Mohawk on Saturday, July 15, 2017. Photos by George Leroy Hunter
    The Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks Water Ski Show Team pose at Lake Mohawk on Saturday, July 15, 2017. Photos by George Leroy Hunter
    Trio of Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks practice on the lake.
    Trio of Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks practice on the lake.
    Aqautic, gymnastic razzle-dazzle, for which they are famous.
    Aqautic, gymnastic razzle-dazzle, for which they are famous.
    Don't try this in your swimming pool.
    Don't try this in your swimming pool.
    Ski Hawks have been doing such feats since 1962.
    Ski Hawks have been doing such feats since 1962.
    Several members of the Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks Water Ski Show Team form a pyramid on Lake Mohawk during practice on Saturday, July 15.
    Several members of the Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks Water Ski Show Team form a pyramid on Lake Mohawk during practice on Saturday, July 15.
    Marigrace Yuskaitis, Lauren O'Connor and Alyssa Devenny are members of the Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks Water Ski Show Team. The show team is made up of residents of the Lake Mohawk section of Sparta. Skiers Barney O’Donnell and Cliff Probst are founders of the team.
    Marigrace Yuskaitis, Lauren O'Connor and Alyssa Devenny are members of the Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks Water Ski Show Team. The show team is made up of residents of the Lake Mohawk section of Sparta. Skiers Barney O’Donnell and Cliff Probst are founders of the team.

BY GEORGE LEROY HUNTER
SPARTA — On a recent Saturday morning a gathering of people enjoyed some fun on the beach and in the water of Lake Mohawk. Some danced to music while others participated in some water skiing. A few of the water skiers performed some fancy flips and jumps off of a ramp a few yards off shore.
A number of passersby along the boardwalk took notice. Slowly upon closer observance the realization that the people on the beach and out in the water were no ordinary bunch. What they were seeing were highly trained and skilled performers known as the Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks Water Ski Show Team.
The team made up of residents of the Lake Mohawk section of Sparta Township, New Jersey were in the midst of a practice. And they were going through routines to be executed for an upcoming show in Rockaway Borough, New Jersey the next day on Sunday, July 15, 2017.
Sunday was the final day of an annual three day festival at White Meadow Lake in Rockaway Borough in Morris County. The Ski Hawks put on an exciting show for guests lined up along the shoreline on the grounds of the White Meadow Lake Country Club.
The Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks have been thrilling crowds since 1962. Skiers Barney O’Donnell and Cliff Probst are founders of the team. Several generations of performers have kept the Ski Hawks legacy going.
The Ski Hawks perform several shows throughout the summer months in the region. And they also participate in competitions that attract numerous water ski show teams. The age range of Ski Hawks goes from five years old to over middle age adults. The Ski Hawks are scheduled to compete in the Eastern Region Show Ski Tournament in Northampton, Massachusetts later this summer.
The last local show of the season the Ski Hawks will perform will take place on Labor Day in September.
It is a family oriented team with mothers, fathers, sons and daughters performing together on the water.
Attention to detail is evident in the choreographed routines. The elaborate display of acrobatics and balancing acts takes a lot of cordination involving performers and support personnel. Boat drivers, spotters, performers, announcers and equipment handlers all work together to assure a safe and professional experience.
The Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks Water Ski Show Team practice four days per week. Tuesday and Thursday practice is held from 5:30pm to sun down. Saturday and Sunday practice is held from 8:30am to noon. The public is welcome to watch the practices.
The Lake Mohawk Country Club is the base of operations for the Ski Hawks. The practice area is on the beach directly behind the club building.
The Ski Hawks have an online presence at skihawks.businesscatalyst.com/index.html. Information about the team can also be found on their Facebook page.
The president of the Ski Hawks, Tara Rodriguez, said, “We are the official water ski show team of New Jersey. We are very skilled and highly trained. This is not stuff people should be trying at home. We have certain safety equipment and members that are CPR certified. You don't just come out here and get on the team. It is an awsome sport. It is really unique in that parents can compete along with their child instead of just cheering from the sideline.”
People who may want to join the Ski Hawks as a performer or as part of the support staff have to be a Lake Mohawk Country Club member.
The Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks Water Ski Show Team is available for hire to perform for private functions such as weddings, birthday parties and corporate events that take place at the Lake Mohawk Country Club. Bookings for the team are handled by the Lake Mohawk Country Club.
The Lake Mohawk Country Club website address is <URL destination="http://lakemohawkcc.com/ ">lakemohawkcc.com/
Below is a partial list of Ski Hawks members:
• Chris, Evie and Lincoln Andres
• Jack and Mary Kate Armstrong,
• Tom, Liam, Stuart Askin
• Bill, Courtney and Brooke Askin,
• David and Matt Boffa,
• Megan and Melissa Chiesa-Rupani,
• Alyssa Devaney,
• Delaney Forziati,
• John, Olivia, Claire and Kaylie Gallagher,
• John and Kevin Garrity,
• Mike, Carter and Grace Higgins,
• Todd Hubley,
• Damon Jenkins,
• Jack and Riley Maldonado,
• Catherine Marussich,
• Bryan Millikin,
• Michael Mysh,
• Bob, Lauren and Mike O’Connor,
• John, Kendra, Patrick and Courtney Payne,
• Tony and Lindsay Pugliese,
• Anna Rodriguez,
• Paul Schwesinger,
• Julia Smith,
• Karly Swenson,
• Erin Takach,
• Mike and Jessica Whittam,
• Greg and Marigrace Yuskatitis