Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Vanloozen.
Hi Jerry, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my retirement journey 2 years ago. I love to spend time at the lake, waterski and coach kids so I set up a website looking for more friends at the lake. In the first 90 days I received a request from a Netflix reality project where they needed a waterski boat. Getting the project was a lot of fun. I recruited a friend to be the camera boat and quickly put together a company to make it happen. Check out Later Daters, season 1, episode 6.
In my second year I decided to focus on getting as many people skiing as possible and adopted the theme of saying ‘Yes’. I taught a total of 94 new skiers with 30 of them being in chair skis. The web site was bringing new skiers and a relationship with Bill Furbish, a hall of fame quadriplegic skier, and Sheperd Center, brought all the chair skiers. I served as the waterski boat and driver for a Learn to Waterski clinic at Camp ASSCA and the able body right hand to Bill. We traveled and trained athletes to compete in the Para World Waterski tournament in Australia where our athletes set two new world records and brought home a chest full of medals. I discovered waterski parties and hosted two birthday and one family reunion.
The journey continues this year with a vision to build a show waterski team in Atlanta called Peach City Skiers. Show waterski is a platform for team building and ideal for families and young people to be exposed to this fun sport. Show waterski is very popular in other areas of the country but does not exist in the Atlanta area.
I often get asked why am I doing this. For me, it is my answer to living a long, healthy life. I need to be active, outdoors, around a lot of different people and using all my muscles. 😉 . A close friend told me about Blue Zone living and found that I am building my own little Blue Zone in Kennesaw, GA
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has small ups and downs but has been free of anything I would call a struggle. I work hard but I get great feedback from my activity.
The Netflix project required getting legal with insurance and everything that comes with it. I included a 3rd boat for friends to watch from a distance. It was a lot of fun.
Working with Shepherd Center is an amazing experience. The folks that go through SC often come out fearless and stubborn. It is a great culture to be part of. I have met amazing people and can now train para and quad skiers.
Starting a show waterski team will be like pushing a 2 ton bolder on a flat spot. It will require effort to get going but once rolling should do very well.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We exist to break down the barrier to towboat watersports. As a retired businessman I established AWE as a platform to volunteer. We provide waterski, barefoot ski, swivel ski lessons. We build teams to perform pyramid waterski. Owning a boat and teaching your kids to waterski had become out of reach for most. We provide all the tools and coaching to help you get up the first time.
Waterski is a healthy outdoor activity. We call it Pure Organic Fun. Its difficult and when you succeed you feel great! We offer the Atlanta Waterski Experience! If you get hooked, join our team.
Peach City Skiers is a low cost way for families to get involved in waterski. By being part of our team you will learn to waterski, become boat and water safety aware, and enjoy putting on free shows for local crowds.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love this area. I made a choice to retire here to enjoy the diversity of people and cultures.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.waterskiatlanta.com and www.peachcityskiers.org
- Instagram: atlanta.waterski.experience
- Facebook: Learn to Waterski in Atlanta
- Twitter: atlanta.waterski.experience
- Youtube: atlanta.waterski.experience
