Have you ever looked at your Jet-Ski and thought, “Wouldn’t it be even more fun to ride with two or more?” Well, that’s what I thought after being so excited to finally own a jet-ski again after many years jet-ski-less. For me, jet-skiing began at age seven on the James River in Richmond, usually with my dad’s supervision, but it was before the days of a boater’s license for jet-skis, and so he was trying to teach me young!

Growing up, I had two more jet-skis that I enjoyed on the James, the second of which I said goodbye to in 2008. Fast forward to 2022, I was the proud new owner of a SeaDoo on Lake Anna. I thought to myself, “I’m going to start a Jet-Ski Brigade”. The novelty of jet-skiing on Lake Anna compared to some other bodies of water is having destinations to go to by jet-ski, like restaurants and “beaches” and the sandbar. What fun it would be to meet a group of friends and go have a meal together by jet-ski! And so it began, The Jet-Ski Brigade.

We usually try to go out on the less busy times of the weekend, like Fridays and Sunday mornings, meeting at “the splits” right near the State Park on the water. Sometimes, we will pick up additional jet-skiers as we go, and then continue on to one of the waterfront restaurants or enjoy a Cocktail Cove picnic, followed by a ride down to the dam – or all of the above!

This season, we officially have a summer-sippin’ beer named after us and brewed by the Cooling Pond Brewery, the “Jet-Ski Brigade Blonde”. It’s a bold-bodied Belgian Blonde, with notes of banana and clove, that is refreshing and can be enjoyed with almost any summer activity – available on tap and in cans at Cooling Pond Brewery. The Jet-Ski Brigade is also hoping to organize a poker run – late summer/early fall – for charity.

So, what if you don’t have a jet-ski and want to join in the fun? Everyone is welcome! Folks have been known to join us by boat, or by car for a meal together. Friends with jet-skis are a great option too – just ask, and there’s a good chance a friend will say, “Hop on with me!”

Tiffany Hazelwood

Tiffany Hazelwood has a degree in Journalism from the University of Richmond is a full-time Real Estate Broker with Lake Homes Realty, a lake-focused real estate firm, where she serves as the Anchor Agent for the Lake Anna market. She has been a licensed realtor since 2008 and has been specializing in real estate here at the lake since 2016. She has enjoyed writing the real estate section for the Lake Anna Breeze™ since 2019. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys jet-skiing and boating on the lake, traveling with her boyfriend, Tom, and time with their 3 dogs.