LAKES TO SKI-DADDLE : Waterborne Pleasures Do More Than Skim the Surface

Since 1920, when Ralph Samuelson first succeeded in staying up on two pine boards while being towed behind a boat on Lake Pepin, Minn., water-skiing has developed into an increasingly popular outdoor sport.

Many fans claim the joy is in the graceful maneuvers. Some enthusiasts relish the continuous challenge, citing the exhilaration of speeding on two skis, one ski, even barefoot. Still others take pleasure in testing their strength and endurance in slalom, jumping and tricking.

If you like to skim across sparkling water but are tired of battling the choppy Pacific or the crowds on bays and channels, why not water-ski instead at one of California’s lakes in a tranquil, mountainous setting?

Novices can send for “Safety Hints for Water-Skiing” from the California Department of Boating and Waterways, 1629 S St., Sacramento, Calif. 95814-7291.

Here are 10 lakes chosen by water-ski buffs Mike Coffey and Shelly Goldberg.

Lake Arrowhead--Located high in the San Bernardino mountains, northeast of San Bernardino, the lake can be reached by taking Interstate 10 east to Interstate 215 north, California 30 east, California 18 north and California 173 north. Don’t expect to launch your own boat unless you own property on Lake Arrowhead.

Open all year, the lake has no launching places for the public. But the Lake Arrowhead Marina on the southern shore in Lake Arrowhead Village, (714) 337-8451, rents motorboats for $75 per hour, including boat, skis and driver, from May 1 to Nov. 1, weather permitting. Bring a wet suit because the water is always cold.

Big Bear Lake--Northeast of San Bernardino, take Interstate 10 east to Interstate 215 north, California 30 east to California 330 north and California 18 east to the lake. The Marina is on the southern shore at Paine Road and Lakeview Drive, (714) 866-3218.

This seven-mile-long lake has a paved ramp ($2.50 each way), temporary moorings and boat fuel. Permits ($55 per season, $10 per day; $5 for each additional day) are required for privately owned motorized boats. Depending on weather, this lake is open from March to November. Wet suits are advised because water at high altitudes is almost always chilly.

Castaic Lake--Interstate 5 north to Lake Hughes Road, about four miles past Magic Mountain. Turn left at the stop sign, and drive to West Ridge, located in the northwest fork of the lake, an area designated for water-skiing only. Northeast fork is only for fishing and slow boating. Fees are $3 per vehicle and $3 per boat.

Paved ramp ($3 fee) is at Lagoon Launch Ramp, a half mile northeast of Castaic on the Ridge Route Road. When high wind conditions require it, the upper lake is subject to closure. Call (805) 257-4050 for information.

Boat fuel is sold only in the town of Castaic. Boats less than eight feet long are prohibited on the lake. Motorized craft are not permitted in the lagoon. Sail boarding is also permitted.

Lake Elsinore--Thirty miles south of Riverside via Interstate 5 south, California 91 east and Interstate 15 south. Southeast end of this lake may be closed because of flooding. Open year-round. State boat-use fee is $2, plus $4 fee to park in state lots, (714) 674-3005. Private-lot parking fees are set by owners. Elsinore West Marina at 32790 Grand Ave., Lake Elsinore, (714) 678-1300, has paved ramp ($6 for parking, launching and lake fee for two people).

You won’t find fuel or motorboat rentals on the lake, but there are gas stations around the area outside Cleveland National Park.

Lake Nacimiento--Take U.S. 101 to Paso Robles, exit at No. 46, turn left on 24th Street and continue to Lake Nacimiento turnoff sign. Open all year. There’s a $7 vehicle-use fee for day campers; $15 to $20 for overnight use. Monterey ramp ($3.50 per day or $35 annual launch fee) at Lake Nacimiento Resort, (805) 238-3256, on south shore (Road G-14) has motorboat rentals, fuel and water-ski rentals.

Water-skiers from Los Angeles are willing to make the long drive because there’s ample space for water-skiing on this 16-mile-long lake, and

this is one of those far-from-the-maddening-crowd places where skiers don’t have to compete with fishermen or swimmers.

Lake Perris--Take Interstate 10 east to Interstate 215 south to Ramona Expressway east to Lake Perris, south of Riverside. There is a $4 vehicle fee; a $6 boat-use fee that includes the use of the paved ramp. Open all year. Lake Perris Marina, (714) 657-2179, rents some boats, water skis and sells fuel.

Part of the California Water Project, this lake was revamped several years ago.

Puddingstone Reservoir Lake--Take Interstate 10 east to Interstate 210 north, exit on Via Verde, drive east to Lakeside Drive north and to Puddingstone Drive east, which curves to rise where you see the lake. Turn into entrance marked “Vehicles With Boats” to lake. There’s a $3 vehicle-entrance fee, plus $3 per vessel launching fee on the paved ramp. No fuel is available and you can only rent small boats.

Daily swimming on south side during summer months; water-skiing starts at 10 a.m. Water-skiing at this man-made lake is especially pleasurable because, for most Angelenos, it’s such a short drive. Telephone (714) 599-8411.

Lake Piru--Interstate 5 north to Castaic, 1 1/2 miles from Magic Mountain off-ramp. Head west on California 126 toward Ventura to Piru Canyon Road. Open all year. There’s a $7 daily-use fee that includes boat, vehicle and ramp fees. Boats less than 12 feet and more than 26 feet are prohibited.

A paved ramp is available at Lake Piru Recreational Area on the western shore of Piru Canyon Road. Telephone (805) 521-1500. Fuel purchase and motorboat and water-ski rentals also available at Lake Piru Marina on western shore.

Pyramid Lake--North of Castaic, take Interstate 5 north to Hungry Valley Road, turn left at stop sign and continue to the lake. Open all year. To gain entrance to the park on weekends, you must have your car lined up by Friday night. No reservations are taken.

Breathe in the fresh clear air at this lake, with 22 miles of shoreline. It is nestled in the mountains of federal lands, so there are no fees for vehicles or launching. All boats must be off lake one hour before closing. You must have your own boat and water-skiing equipment since the lake’s marina closed. High winds create excellent surfing conditions. For recorded information, call (805) 257-2790.

Silverwood Lake--North of San Bernardino, take Interstate 10 to Interstate 15 north, turn east on California 138 to Cleghorn exit, turn east. Open all year. You can start skiing as early as 6 a.m., but you must leave the water one hour before sundown. You won’t find any motorboat rentals, but there is fuel and rentals of aluminum fishing boats, paddle boats and water cycles.

Silverwood has a $4 vehicle-entry fee, and the state charges a $2 boat-use fee for the paved ramp. Telephone (619) 389-2282. Traffic patterns are well defined. The northeast end of the lake is reserved for water-skiers.