By Melanie Stegner, news@pctribune.com 

Kenzie and Kenna Leutmer have spent their short lives on Lake Minnewaska and their entrepreneurial spirit has taken that experience, along with their hobbies, to a new level. The girls will be providing wakesurfing lessons in their new business venture, Surf’s Up Waska. 

One thing that has been important to the Leutmer girls as well as their father, Ron, is to maintain respect for all lake users. “We want to make sure we are doing our part to keep the lake peaceful and enjoyable for all users. We will be following strict guidelines using GPS to keep twice the recommended distance from shore as dictated by a recent University of Minnesota study on the impact of surf waves on shorelines. There won’t be loud music and we will keep our distance from other lake-users,” said Ron. 

The family has consulted with the Pope County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Natural Resources to get advice on enjoying their sport while preserving the lake and its enjoyment for fellow lake users.

So, what is wakesurfing? It’s a low-impact watersport, considered safer than skiing and wakeboarding because the user is not being pulled at high speeds with a rope. “There are still risks, so we take all aspects of safety seriously. Our boat is properly maintained, we have life jackets that we will ensure are the proper fit and we have qualified people as part of our team if trouble should arise,” said Leutmer.

Surf’s Up Waska runs a full-service wakesurfing experience. 

Let them be your guide to wakesurfing Lake Minnewaska. “Minnewaska is a mellow, low-traffic lake making it perfect for wakesurfing since you rarely have to dodge boat traffic. Surf for a few hours or all day. We provide everything. Just bring your swimsuit and an appetite for fun,” Ron mentioned.

Kenzie Leutmer is the instructor on staff. As an avid snowboarder and all-around athlete, she thrives on all things related to strength and balance. “Kenzie’s first exposure to surfing was in the ocean where half the sport is waiting for that perfect wave, so when she discovered wakesurfing, with its endless waves on demand, it was love at first sight,” according to Leutmer. 

“I can’t wait to get on the lake and work with people young and old as they discover this sport, build their confidence, and share their excitement when they get up for the first time. I hope we will be really busy, so be sure to go to our website to book by the end of May for the early booking discount!” Kenzie added.

“My daughter, Kenna, is Kenzie’s saltwater sister. Certified as an Open Water Diver at the age of 11, she is currently a Divemaster in training. As such, she is certified in EFR (Emergency First Responder) and has her Rescue Diver certification, so guests are in capable hands with her on deck,” Ron said reassuringly. “We grew up spending pretty much every summer day swimming in Lake Minnewaska. From fishing to kayaking to sailing to motor powered sports, this lake has so much to offer. My commitment as captain is to make sure we are being responsible and considerate to everyone who wants to enjoy the lake in their own way,” stated Kenna.

Abbie oversees brand design and merchandise. She will be seen during bookings occasionally as well. “I’m looking forward to spending time on the lake this summer and being able to help as a backup boat captain. I created the branding and all designs used for the business and am enjoying being involved. I am also open to clients looking for design work this summer,” she said.

The Leutmer’s know that the equipment is almost as important as safety. They have a new Tige R20 boat that features a “wake tab.” TAPS, or Tige Adjustable Performance System, is unique to this boat. It has a trim plate affixed to the aft end of the hull so you can adjust from the helm the specific performance you are seeking. Wake boats are known to create a better table between the wakes with inboard propulsion. This boat features 343 horsepower along with 1.600 pounds of ballast, making it easy to achieve the most ideal conditions for beginners through advanced wakesurfers.

Booking with Surf’s Up Waska can be done on their website www.surfsupwaska.com or by calling (320)200-4423. “When you book, you have the option of landing from our North Lakeshore Drive location, or we can pick you up at any location on the lake. The booking time starts when we launch from the dock and stops when the last surfer climbs aboard, giving you maximum wake time. We give free rides back to the dock,” joked Ron.