Full-disclosure? Skater catamaran Ron Szolack wheeler-dealer and I are good friends. We have been for years.
As he has for other events, Szolack put a roof over my head—and threw in a fun ride in his snazzy new Skater 388—during the 38th annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout last month. And when I say “roof,” I mean a giant bedroom with an expansive view at his posh, modern home on the shores of the Central Missouri waterway.
Skater 368 catamaran owner Chris Ryder hasn’t missed the Szolack-hosted brand-celebration in 15 years. Photo by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.
Plus, we have similar likes and dislikes. We appreciate crashing early on most nights. We don’t enjoy big crowds or making small-talk. That helps a lot with the crashing early part, especially during the Shootout.
But this weekend, Szolack will step out of his comfort zone for some 20 to 50 Skater owners in town for his invitational “Weekend At Ronnie’s” affair.
Why the big boat-count spread?
“I won’t know till I see who shows up,” Szolack said, then laughed.
But he is guaranteed to host 36-foot Skater owners Chris LaMorte and Chris Ryder. Both have traveled from the East Coast to be among their fellow Skater fans since Szolack started his invitational Skaterfest gatherings 15 years ago in the St. Clair, Mich., area.
“I try not to miss it because of the group of friends and it’s still Skaterfest to me,” LaMorte explained. “Plus, Ronnie is a great host.
“This one will be eight in a row for me,” he added.
Ryder hasn’t missed one. He holds a perfect attendance record.
“It’s the best and ‘fastest’ weekend of the year—every year,” he said. “Only Ronnie and me have been to every one.”
Other big-name Skater owners who typically show up include Todd Fountain, who is among Szolack’s closest friends and Danny DeSantis, who hasn’t made it since the gathering moved to Missouri—and no longer owner owns a Skater.
But speedonthewater.com contributing photographer Jeff Helmkamp has made it since the affair relocated with its host and he’ll be there again this year. Helmkamp wouldn’t miss it.
Weekend At Ronnie’s never fails to attract a passionate group of Skater fans.
“One, it’s all catamarans,” he said. “Two, it’s held at the Camden On The Lake Resort, which is a fantastic spot will all the boats below the balconies of everybody’s room. Three, the camaraderie—everybody’s friends, everybody knows each other, everybody’s been around each other for years and everybody shares the same passionate about one thing, Skaters.
“And Ronnie is one hell of a host,” he added.
No argument here.