Spring has finally sprung — and if the weather wasn’t any indication, summer won’t be far behind! It’s a great time of year to be a boater, as there’s an abundance of on-the-water activities to enjoy and destinations to explore — like, say, the Great Lakes region.

A perennial warm-weather destination, there’s no shortage of boating fun to be had here. But the five core Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior, or HOMES) aren’t the only ones to brag about. Indeed, smaller bodies of water, like Wisconsin’s Geneva Lake, make for an equally thrilling adventure that’s removed from the hustle and bustle of the mainstream lakes — but never so far that you feel removed from the region’s boat-loving culture.

Plus, at this time of year, Gage Marine’s Wake the Lake is there to welcome you and your family to a splashing water sports scene.

Just read on as we take a closer look at the Wake the Lake series of shows, and fun ways to explore the area on one of Monterey’s lineup of wakeboarding boats!

Check Out The Latest Lineup

The first stop at Wake the Lake is, naturally, going to be checking out the latest lineup of Monterey Boats! The series of Saturday shows (on May 4, 11, and 18) give prospective boat owners the chance to find inspiration for their very first ride — and for current owners to see what’s available should they ever want to size up their vessel.

After all, there’s nothing quite like a test drive on the beautiful surface of Geneva Lake. And if you find that you’re still pondering your next ride after returning home, you can always use Monterey’s Build Your Boat tool to compare potential options on your new ride. At boat shows and right at home, we’re here to help make the process of finding (or designing) your dream boat a truly rewarding one from start to finish.

Back To School

Maybe you’re new to the ever-expanding world of wake sports and Wake the Lake has inspired you to hit the water yourself. If so, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of Gage Marine’s Wake Experience: private lessons in wakeboarding, wakesurfing, waterskiing, and tubing right on beautiful Williams Bay — so you never have to venture far from the boat show fun. Then, you’ll be able to carry those lessons with you for endless adventure on your Monterey when you return back home — or wherever else the breeze may bring you.

After all, water sports have a thriving history in the Midwest! Waterskiing was invented in nearby Minnesota, after all, and all manner of wake sports have been enjoyed across the Great Lakes region and beyond. So in our book, there’s no better place to begin your water sports journey than during your Badger State getaway.

Meet Another Side Of The Great Lakes

Once you’ve explored the boat show and worked on your wake skills, there’s nothing left to do — but to take your own self-guided tour of Wisconsin’s wake scene, that is! From Williams Bay, you’re not far from the splashing paradise that is Lake Michigan. But local boaters know that they never have to travel that far for cruising fun!

Williams Bay is located on Geneva Lake, which is renowned for its small-town charm and ample aquatic opportunities. It’s got quite the quirky character, too. For example, did you know that some of Geneva Lake’s residents get their mail through a system called mail jumping, where young runners jump from a moving boat, pick up and deposit mail on a dock, and then scurry back to the boat and (hopefully) make it back aboard in time? They don’t always succeed at that last bit, of course, but that’s part of the fun. Indeed, riding along the mail boat as a passenger is one of the top tourist activities in the area!

But if you’d rather experience the lake on your own Monterey Boat, then you can do that! Its rolling, tree-lined shores range from vibrant orange in fall to splendorous green at this time of year — perfect for creating a scenic backdrop to your family cruise, or a thrilling wakeboarding session. The lake’s long shape, paired with a gentle, sloping shoreline, lends itself to wake fun that’s limited only by your balance skills. And, well, those will get better the longer you’re here!

Just nearby, you’ll find Delavan Lake and Lake Como in the same cluster — and while Geneva Lake may be the largest and most well-known of the three, these other bodies of water are just as worth exploring from the comfort of your own boat.

We hope that today’s virtual tour helps you expand your love for the Great Lakes region — and maybe discover some hidden-gem wake fun along the way. And of course, if you don’t already have a trusty boat to call your own, Wake the Lake is sure to have the ride you’re looking for. We can’t wait to see you there!