Lifelong Lake Martin part-timer Austin Bailey didn’t want to leave when summer ended last year, so he established Lake Martin Watersports LLC and obtained licenses and insurance to operate a flyboard and wake surfing business at the lake.

“My grandfather started coming to Lake Martin in the early ’70s, so my family has been here a long time. I’ve been coming to the lake my whole life. I’ve spent every Christmas here, ever summer here,” Bailey explained. “I grew up wakeboarding on the lake, and in the last few years got into wake surfing. Last year, I bought a 2021 Malibu wake boat. I love this. I didn’t want to leave.”