Club de Skinautique prepares for 70th anniversary in 2027
Top row, Maddie Kirkhammer and Sylvia Grenier; middle row, Ana Grenier, Sailor Cowan and Jane Gonitzke; and bottom row, Kenny Kern, Tommy Kern, Jack Kern and Grant Odderman perform during a Club de Skinautique event.
The Club de Skinautique poses for its first club photo in 1957.
Submitted Photo Club de Skinautique members shown in this photo are back row, from left to right, Wynter Cowan, Kenny Kern, Teegan Heser, Adam Boettcher, Tommy Kern, Scout Cowan and Jack Kern; middle row: Stella Schmalz, Sailor Cowan, Sophia Abdurrahman, Jane Gonitzke, Ana Grenier, Avery Conway, Ledger Brown, Holden Heser, Reagan Fett, Nicole Lilleberg and Crew Samson; and front row, from left to right, Maddie Kirkhammer, Sylvia Grenier, Marin Sorum, Hailey Fritel and Kimber Fritel.
Top row, Maddie Kirkhammer and Sylvia Grenier; middle row, Ana Grenier, Sailor Cowan and Jane Gonitzke; and bottom row, Kenny Kern, Tommy Kern, Jack Kern and Grant Odderman perform during a Club de Skinautique event.
The Club de Skinautique poses for its first club photo in 1957.
Submitted Photo Club de Skinautique members shown in this photo are back row, from left to right, Wynter Cowan, Kenny Kern, Teegan Heser, Adam Boettcher, Tommy Kern, Scout Cowan and Jack Kern; middle row: Stella Schmalz, Sailor Cowan, Sophia Abdurrahman, Jane Gonitzke, Ana Grenier, Avery Conway, Ledger Brown, Holden Heser, Reagan Fett, Nicole Lilleberg and Crew Samson; and front row, from left to right, Maddie Kirkhammer, Sylvia Grenier, Marin Sorum, Hailey Fritel and Kimber Fritel.
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LAKE METIGOSHE -- The Club de Skinautique, an international water skiing club based out of the Lake Metigoshe area, focuses on performing specialized tricks on the water.
The group originated in 1957 when a group of teenagers passionate about waterskiing struck a deal with the Lake Metigoshe Improvement Association to perform on the lake. A large crowd of spectators gathered on the hillside near the lake to watch that inaugural performance, sparking a decadeslong tradition.
While most members are from North Dakota, others cross state lines and the Canadian border to perform with the team.
Wynter Cowan, a member of the Club de Skinautique, said all shows for 2026 have wrapped up, but 2027 will mark the club's 70th anniversary, and performances are expected to be grand.
Cowan said the first show of 2027 will take place July 4 during the group's 70th reunion celebration. Additional anniversary events will take place throughout the summer of 2027.
Cowan described the organization as simply a "group of kids that enjoy skiing."
She said the club is actively recruiting new members. Prospective members must be able to ski on one ski and perform at least one additional water trick of any type. Once admitted, members remain part of the club for life, regardless of age, as long as they can continue to ski and perform a trick.
The team practices Friday evenings as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Those interested in joining can contact a current member, attend a practice session, or reach out through the Club de Skinautique social media pages.