Whether you are looking to spend a day, or an evening on the Lake of the Ozarks, there is always something to do. The lake boasts not one, but two yachting/sailing clubs for those who prefer a more leisurely day on the water. The infamous “Party Cove” for the more adventurous souls, and several eateries located along the expansive shoreline, many of who regularly offer live entertainment, concerts and a great party atmosphere. These fine establishments provide ample boat parking for not only the pleasure crafts, but also houseboats and the powerboating crowd as well. Assuring you that after a day of cruising the lake, or taking in the “scenery”, you will always find a place to dock and unwind.
The Ozark Sailing Club was founded to promote sailing at the Lake of the Ozarks, and hosts several sailing regattas, races and social events from April thru November of each year. While their sailing regattas are separated into the spring and fall series, they offer the option of sailing in either the racing fleet or the cruising fleet. They also offer summer cove-outs and social events at various locations around the lake. All events are well organized, however their main objective is just about having fun and spending a day on the water with your fellow sailors. You can learn more about this club and their schedule of events at www.ozarksailingclub0.tripod.com or contact Commodore Scott Pasley at 573-365-5073.
The Lake of the Ozarks Yachting Association (LOYA), a member of the Yachting Clubs of America, was founded in 1953 to promote boating safety, interest in the Lake of the Ozarks and boating in the area. LOYA is a boating organization geared towards all boaters, regardless of the size of your boat. They even offer an “Associate Membership” for those who have interests at the Lake of the Ozarks, but do not own a boat. LOYA’s home port is located at Village Marina in Lake Ozark on the North Shore, where it offers full amenities to members such as pool facilities, showers, access to laundry facilities, access to a full service restaurant and bar, guaranteed lowest gas prices on the lake, and much more just for being a member of LOYA. For more information you can access their website at www.4loya.com or contact Commodore Fred Hissong at 573-372-5691.
During the day, or night, these are just some of the fine establishments that can be counted on to entertain you by the water, or just provide a place to cool off and relax with your friends – old or new.
For those who prefer the quieter lifestyle of evening cruising and cove-outs, especially after a rough day at the office or on the links, there is always time for a little lake R+R. Just ask locals Bob and Cathy Carlson.
Bob and Cathy relocated to the Lake of the Ozarks from the Chicago, Illinois area in the fall of 2000. While living at the Lake of the Ozarks, Cathy has since retired from the United States Postal Service, although Bob is still employed full-time by the Lake Ozark Post Office. Cathy now spends her time painting, and doing the things that a retired, proud grandmother loves to do – but the one thing that they both love doing is spending time with family, friends and each other – on the water.
When I caught up with them and had the opportunity to ask what it was that they loved the most about living at the Lake of the Ozarks, and about their time spent on the water, this is what they had to say about Lake Living and Boating…
“The best part about the Lake area is that the people here are happy and welcoming. They just want to have fun – not be judgmental,” says Cathy. “No matter where one is from, or where they’ve been, Boating becomes the common denominator among them”.
Bob agrees with this sentiment, and adds that “Finding the quiet part of the Lake at sunset, and being in the water as the sun goes down is probably the most enjoyable part of boating on the Lake of the Ozarks.”
When asked about some of their favorite destinations by water, both Bob and Cathy were quick to list Shady Gators (formerly known as Bayou Bills), Paradise and Docknockers as the best places to go for fun and entertainment on the lake with friends or family. “The thing with the boating community is that there are no obligations, you can get together with as many people as you like, or catch up on the water with just a few of them. Everyone more or less does whatever they feel like when they go out on the water for the day or for the night, so there are no hard feelings if you meet up with 20 of your friends in one location, but only go to the next location with 2 or 3 of them” they said.
The best part of living on the Lake of the Ozarks is that you are able to enjoy not only the hectic summer “party time”, but also you get to really enjoy the quiet nature of the lake in the off-season when the world seems to disappear and it is almost as if you have the place to yourselves, states Bob.
It’s a very different environment from Chicago, but one that captured them hook, line and sinker from the moment that they arrived. An environment and lifestyle that they wouldn’t trade for the world, but one that affords them the camaraderie of fellow lake lovers from all backgrounds and locals. Not to mention the daily opportunity to view that next magnificent sunset on the water….
