THE BLACK OAK LAKE SLALOM COURSE

UPDATE, SUMMER 2010.......A NEW WISCONSIN LAW, SB12, ESTABLISHES A STATEWIDE NO-WAKE ZONE WITHIN 100'OF NATURAL SHORELINE. SINCE MOST OF OUR SLALOM COURSE LIES WITHIN 100' OF SHORE IT IS NO LONGER USABLE AT ITS PRESENT LOCATION. THE SUB-BUOYS DESCRIBED BELOW REMAIN IN PLACE SHOULD ANYONE BE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE TOWN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO USE IT AGAIN. IF THAT FAILS A NEW COURSE COULD BE ESTABLISHED FURTHER OUT USING THE PROCEDURE DESCRIBED BELOW. ABOUT $600 REMAINS IN THE SKI FUND FOR FUNDING ANY SUCH EFFORTS. CONTACT WALT BATES FOR DETAILS.

(GoTo Diagram and Dimensions)

History of slalom course

Over the winter of 1979/80 several lake residents installed a slalom course along Black Oak Lake’s north shore. It was laid out on the winter ice according to the official measurements adopted by the American Water Ski Association and used in tournaments worldwide.

How the slalom course was created

At each of the 22 buoy sites an ice auger hole was drilled and an anchor consisting of a five foot piece of concrete-filled PVC pipe was slipped through. A polyethylene anchor line was attached to the anchor with a bridle – like a large ski handle. Depths range from 8’ to nearly 40’. When the anchor hit bottom it was raised back up 4’ and a Styrofoam “sub buoy” was attached to the line. It was then lowered back down and the result was 22 sub buoys each 4’ below the surface. They have been there since that time. In the spring a piece of surgical tubing with a buoy attached is hooked to each sub buoy. They are then removed each fall. Buoys only last two seasons and the surgical tubing about 5 years. Buoys come from www.overtons.com and the tubing comes from www.skiertoskier.com.

Legal Requirements

Legally speaking, in 1979 there was no requirement for any DNR involvement. In May, 2001 we were advised that a permit was required and a lengthy paper work effort ensued. On Oct. 17, 2001 the Vilas County DNR office issued permit #3-NO-2001-64068UW signed by Liesa Nesta. On Oct. 11, 2001 the Madison DNR office issued permit #3132 signed by Leanne LeBoeuf. These permits specify an allowed time for installation of June 15 through August 31.

Finding the two ends of the boat lane is the hardest part of spring installation. This is easiest to accomplish with GPS. The coordinates of the west end are N4609.921 by W08919.104 and of the east end are N4609.927 by W08918.903. The true track of the course is 267/087 and it points directly at the end of the Allman’s dock to the west and at the end of the Steiner’s dock to the east.

Two “accommodations” were adopted for our course vis a vis an official AWSA course.

1. There are several different buoy colors in an official course. We chose all red for a more benign appearance and because they are so much easier to see when looking into the sun.

2. The width of the boat lane was increased by one foot. Official courses use professional drivers. Not being that qualified we widened the lane slightly to make it more user friendly without sacrificing skier challenge.