Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Thibodeau Lake Saint Louis Water Ski Club.
Hi Emily Thibodeau, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The Lake Saint Louis Ski Club was founded in 1975 by local residents. They had one goal in mind: to use this beautiful amenity in our community to teach people to ski. Nowhere else can a family of four join a team and be an integral part of an activity together. Fast forward to today and The Lake Saint Louis Water Ski Club is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization promoting the sport of water skiing while representing the community of Lake Saint Louis. It is comprised of three groups: Arch Rivals, Show-Me Skiers, and 3-Event Skiers.
The Lake Saint Louis Arch Rivals is the competitive show ski side of the Ski Club, but they take it up a notch through competition! Most, if not all, of the Rivals team members also participate in the Home Show team as well.
The club also has a proud history in 3-Event skiing with state, regional and national achievements in the sport. This individual competition involves three core events:
• Slalom Skiing
• Trick Skiing
• Jump Distance
At the very core of this organization are the Show-Me Skiers—the club’s largest, most inclusive, and diverse subgroup. Representing the true spirit of the club, the Show-Me Skiers embrace a simple philosophy: everyone is welcome. From fearless toddlers climbing to the top of human pyramids to adults discovering a new passion later in life, the team brings together multiple generations of families on the water. The group serves as the foundational launching pad where members learn everything from basic two-ski fundamentals to high-flying, adrenaline-pumping disciplines
All participants—skiers, rope handlers, dock helpers, drivers, spotters, sound, and stage—exemplify a passion for the sport that often goes unrecognized.
The Lake Saint Louis Water Ski Club holds local shows on most Friday nights through the summer, with the exception being during regional and national competition weekends when the team is traveling.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In my 12 years as a member of the Lake Saint Louis Water Ski Club I have had the pleasure of witnessing so many inspiring moments, including my own children overcoming challenges for their own successes. This year is my third year as a board member, and I’m continually amazed at the collaboration, spirit and tenacity of this group working together for a common goal. Over the last few years, we have managed to build our way through high fuel prices and supply chain issues. We have bounced back with incredible seasons in 2024 and a celebration of our 50th anniversary in 2025.
While we already judiciously maintain our boats, equipment, and costumes, we rely on community support and sponsorships like most 501c3 organizations. We are proud to say that we purchased an additional boat and trailer last season, and while it’s new to us, they’re nearly twenty years old. We still have costumes from the early 1990’s, but these are a little worse to wear. When spandex and sequins begin to lose their sparkle, it’s time to replenish. In towing our bigger acts like pyramids, which usually entail our triple rigs pulling about 24 skiers off the dock, it’s a lot of torque, which the boat can handle. But over time the ropes stretch and weaken. When ropes begin to break, and break they have over the summers, it’s time to replenish them.
While we have always relied on the selfless volunteerism of our membership, we also need community support to be able to continue providing ski shows for the community (and outside Lake Saint Louis!) and continue teaching skiing to our members, now in our 51st year!
We’ve been impressed with Lake Saint Louis Water Ski Club, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of water skiing through exciting performances, competitions, and community involvement. We’re committed to fostering a love for the water, building skills, and creating lasting memories for skiers of all ages and experience levels.
For the child who may not excel in school experiences who can benefit from their potential as a skier to help with their confidence building. For the adult skier who discovers a new passion. For the family skiing together to bridge the gap between adults and teens. Being a part of a team, making friends, seeing that smile on the child’s face who has just climbed to the top of the pyramid, landed their first successful jump, first time up on two skis, etc. These experiences are full of so many “firsts” and lots of hard work that is both character building and inspiring.
We are so proud that this is an organization that the entire family can participate together, whether you are on the water or not!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
There is a misconception that this is only for members of Lake Saint Louis or we perform only for Lake Saint Louis, but that’s simply not true!
Who Can Join the Club? Anyone! We will teach you to ski, you do not have any background in water sports. This includes adults! Families can both learn to ski together! If you do not want to be on the water, we have plenty of jobs on land.
We need volunteers for costumes, music, equipment repair, prop making, script, announcing, boat driving, rope handling, dock personnel, choreography, publicity, coaching, membership, social activities, safety, accounting, traveling site coordination, show directing, and MORE!
Registration opens annually on January 1st for the following ski season.
Also, At the Lake Saint Louis Water Ski Club, giving back to the community is a top priority. We are an active and proud member of our local community, and we strive to make a positive impact in various ways. Our club members are required to participate in a minimum number of community events throughout the year.
In addition to providing entertainment and community activities like ski shows, Christmas caroling, and trunk-or-treat events, we also engage in larger-scale initiatives. We contribute to keeping Donnie’s Point clean, support the Missouri Disabled Water Ski Association, Clean Stream, The Pineapple Head Food Foundation and fund community scholarship programs.
By actively participating in these activities, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and foster a stronger sense of community spirit. It’s important for us to give back to the community that we love and call home.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lslski.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lslwaterskiclub/ or @lslwaterskiclub
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LSLSKI
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@archrivalsofficial
- Email: For More Information: lslskiteam@gmail.com
