Special to GUIDON

You can watch competitors hit the water in personal watercraft and race obstacles and each other at the inaugural Wave Runner Rodeo Friday and Saturday at the Lake of the Ozarks. The action starts at Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and Grill in Gravois Mills, Mo., located at the 7-mile marker of the lake’s Gravois Arm or by land at 15208 Red Hollow Road.

The Wave Runner Rodeo is the first personal watercraft race of its kind at the lake, according to race organizer Steve Bruce.

“Personal watercraft and the excitement for racing are popular among lake residents and visitors, so we thought this type of event was a natural for the lake. We’re expecting a flotilla of boats on the water and a ton of people on shore at Coconuts to watch the races,” he said.

Created by Premier Vacations and Coconuts, proceeds from the event benefit the Wounded Warriors Fund. Admission to the event is free, but donations to the Wounded Warriors Fund will be accepted.

The two-day celebration kicks off Friday at 3 p.m. with a free concert at Coconuts. The show will feature cover band The Groove Pilots and country-rock band Branded.

 On Saturday, fans of personal watercraft racing will be treated to a flurry of head-to-head heat races beginning at 11 a.m. The races will have wave runner competitors following a slalom course of water buoys (similar to traditional rodeo barrel racing) with a final dash to the finish line. The top two times logged by racers in these heats will advance to the finals to decide who wins a $500 grand prize in each of five classes, based on watercraft horsepower.

For more information about this event, call 573.207.0137 or visit WaveRunnerRodeo.com.

For more information about accommodations, other restaurants and attractions at the Lake of the Ozarks, visit FunLake.com or call 800.386.5253.

(Editor’s note: Information provided by the Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association and Convention and Visitor Bureau.)