(January 8, 2025) Lake Mohawk, OH–WakeWell, a national ministry organization aimed at transforming wake culture through the love of Jesus, has spread across the United States, offering wakeboarders and wake surfers a place to connect through faith and water sports. One of its chapters is located at Lake Mohawk, Ohio, and is led by Josh Dahlheimer, a full-time trauma nurse practitioner who has become a passionate advocate for the organization and his community.

Josh’s involvement with WakeWell began in 2017 when he came across posts on Giving Tuesday that sparked his interest.

“I saw people posting about WakeWell and how they were bringing the Gospel into wake culture, and I knew I wanted to be part of it,” Josh explained.

Intrigued by the idea of blending wakeboarding with the Gospel, he reached out to Mark Hager, WakeWell’s National Director, to learn more. Shortly after, Josh attended his first WakeWell conference where he listened to inspiring speakers and formed new friendships, including one with pro wake skater and Centurion and Supreme ambassador, Matt Manzari.

“That conference was a turning point for me. Meeting people like Matt really inspired me to bring this movement to our lake,” Josh recalled. By 2018, the Lake Mohawk chapter was born.

The Lake Mohawk chapter initially started with a small group of wakeboarding enthusiasts who would gather, share God’s message, and find ways to connect their passion for wakeboarding back to the Gospel.

“At first, it was just a few guys getting together, but we always tied the message back to Jesus,” Josh said.

Over the years, the chapter evolved, and today it includes a wide range of participants, including many families. Josh and his wife, both avid wakeboarders, designed their own 2021 Centurion Fi23 boat in 2020 with the help of Centurion and Supreme National Sales Manager, Jason Hammons, who played a crucial role in the chapter’s growth. “Jason was a huge help in designing our boat, and he’s been an incredible supporter of WakeWell’s mission in the Midwest,” Josh said. Since then, WakeWell has continued to gain traction not just locally but across the region.

Lake Mohawk, often referred to as “Ohio’s best-kept secret,” is a private lake where Josh and his group meet weekly on Wednesday evenings throughout the wakeboarding season. The gatherings are more than just opportunities to surf and wakeboard behind a Centurion; they also serve as moments of fellowship, worship, and community building.

“Our weekly meetings are about much more than riding. It’s about connecting with each other and sharing the Gospel,” Josh said. To wrap up this season, the chapter hosted “formal night,” where participants donned their black-tie outfits and took to the water, enjoying the mix of elegance and excitement surfing in their formal wear. “It’s one of the fun ways we keep things fresh and engaging,” Josh added with a laugh.

WakeWell is an organization centered around community and Jesus inviting new members like Tyler, who found his way to the group in an unexpected way. One rainy evening, as the chapter waited for the weather to clear, Tyler drove by on a jet ski and was instantly attracted to the mint-colored Centurion boat he saw on the water. Later that night, he found that boat on Josh’s Instagram and sent him a message complimenting his boat. That initial conversation led to Tyler learning more about WakeWell, an organization he had been unknowingly searching for.

“Tyler was looking to be around other Christians who shared his love for the water,” Josh explained. Tyler quickly became a regular at the chapter’s gatherings, attending every week and gradually becoming more involved. “The first night he joined us, Tyler didn’t surf or wakeboard,” Josh recalled, “but now he’s out there trying new tricks.”

Josh’s passion for WakeWell extends beyond his local chapter. He cherishes the sense of community he has found through the organization, not just at Lake Mohawk but across the country. “My favorite part is the community,” Josh shared. “Whether it’s at a national wakeboarding event, a conference, or a local gathering, I’ve built some of my closest friendships through WakeWell. It’s amazing to connect with people who love the water and love Jesus.”

This past year at a WakeWell conference in Fort Myers, Florida, hosted by Ride Nature, Josh, in his capacity as a trauma nurse practitioner, was called to help when someone was in distress in the water at the Revolution Cable Park conference event. Without hesitation, Josh swam out and provided immediate assistance saving this person’s life. “My training in trauma kicked in instantly,” Josh recalls. “I knew I had the training and the knowledge to help this person, and I just jumped right in to help.”

Following the incident, Matt Manzari shared with Josh how “moving it was to see someone care so much about another life to just jump right in and make a difference.”

For those interested in joining the WakeWell family at the Lake Mohawk chapter, Josh encourages anyone in the area to simply follow their Instagram @WakeWellLakeMohawk where the schedule is posted. “Feel free to message us with any questions! Whether you have your own wakeboard or need to borrow one, everyone is welcome to take part. You don’t need to be an expert or even have your own gear—just come and be part of the community,” Josh emphasized.

For those outside of Lake Mohawk, WakeWell.org provides information on chapters across the country, allowing people from all regions to get involved.

Josh Dahlheimer’s leadership of the Lake Mohawk WakeWell chapter showcases the powerful connection between faith, community, and a shared love for the water. From fun-filled nights on the lake to meaningful, life-changing moments, WakeWell offers an inclusive space where wakeboarders, surfers, and believers can come together to grow in both faith and friendship. “I love this community, and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of it,” Josh concluded.

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