Diving In Head First

Hello boaters, sun-seekers, and lake adventurists! My name is Madison and I am the newest marketing intern at Gordy’s. I am excited to get started sharing Gordy’s stories and memorable moments with loyal and newcomer customers alike, as well as getting to know the employees that make this place the perfect summer haven that it is.

I first happened upon Gordy’s a few years ago when I was learning how to wake surf. I remember waking up earlier than I ever had on a weekend morning in the summer to venture to the west end of the lake. My father and I arrived at Gordy’s and ambled out onto the pier, making our way to a towboat that held a few other hopeful surfers and a friendly Gordy’s instructor.

I had been coming up to Lake Geneva ever since I was little, but this morning on the lake was like no other. It was like another world, gliding through smooth water as if the boat was skating across it rather than slicing through the usual rolling waves, and watching as the rising sun descended on the clear water, reflecting a buttery-yellow abyss of light off the sparkling water.

The boat glided to a halt and I was whisked from my reverie back into the thrill of the moment: I was going to learn how to wake surf. A surge of confidence overcame me and I eagerly volunteered to go first. Slipping into the chilly water, one hand clamping the foreign-feeling board and the other wrapped around the rope, I swam as gracefully as I could a few strokes out from the boat.

After properly positioning my feet on the board, the revving of the boat commenced. I eagerly gave into the pull forward, arcing up to stand perpendicular with the water. The only problem? The boat continued tugging me forward, while my feet neglected to take the board with me.

Thus, I wiped out in a glorious face plant.

However, with some words of wisdom and a reassuring smile from the Gordy’s instructor, I was positioned back in the water, ready to try it again. It took a few runs, but eventually I got up and stayed up. I was able to enjoy the view, reveling in the calm of the lake as I went cruising by, this time from a whole different perspective.

That fateful day was my first impactful lesson in a line of many on taking advantage of new and challenging opportunities. Gordy’s gave me a chance to try something new, and taught me that actual success does not always mean merely completing a task or learning a new skill, but developing perseverance while progressing towards accomplishing your goals.

And now, Gordy’s has given me another opportunity to try something new. As a marketing intern, I’ll be diving head first into the work world, learning how to use both pre-existing skills and develop new abilities to capture the moments and atmosphere in the summer that make Gordy’s so special.

I am thankful to be spending my summer at Gordy’s, and to be part of a team that has already demonstrated incredible leadership, a vigorous work ethic, and mind-boggling creativity. I am excited to be a part of the Gordy’s story this summer, and look forward to making and immortalizing more of something we all cherish- the memories of magical days spent at the lake.