How To Watch & Listen To The Lake Of The Ozarks Shootout This Weekend

The biggest boating event at Lake of the Ozarks is back. Whether you live or vacation here, the Shootout is something everyone should experience at least once.

While the thrilling sights and sounds of fast boats is the main draw, the air show is also a hit, with many people simply attending because the Shootout is a perfect reason to tie up and enjoy a sunny August weekend.

Whether you're watching from water or land, here are LakeExpo's "insider" tips on getting the best angle on the racing action.

1. By water: arrive early for a good spot

The most popular view of the Shootout is from the spectator flotilla, which begins lining up more than an hour before the races begin. And since the classes begin their runs at 9 a.m. on Saturday and 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, it means an early morning if you want prime spot.

Shootout flotilla 2025.jpg — kimber cline

The early-arrivers get the best spots, but as long as you're on the front row (often multiple rows form), in the span of the actual race course, you'll be positioned for a great view.

Big buoys will mark the beginning and end of the race course.

Make sure you follow the directions of the Anchor Management folks: they're Shootout volunteers who idle up and down the flotilla, setting anchors to make sure everyone keeps a safe distance from the racing action.

Pro Tip: Bring a pair of binoculars or long-lens camera if you want a really cool, up-close look at these incredible boats and racers on the course.

2. No boat? Hop aboard with a friend

There’s nothing quite like experiencing the Shootout from the water. So if you live or vacation at Lake of the Ozarks, scroll through that Facebook friend list and look for somebody whose profile photo shows them on a boat. If you offer to bring the beverages, maybe they’ll let you join in the fun.

2025 Shootout Crowd - Lake Shots-131.jpg — LAKE SHOTS PHOTO

But maybe you don’t have any friends with a boat (or none of them want you aboard), or you just don’t want to get out on the water. You can still enjoy the Shootout, by land...

Reminder: No drones are allowed above the Shootout race course unless you have explicit permission from Shootout officials! This is a no-fly zone.

3. Watch by land

If you're one of the lucky ones who has a friend (or friend-of-a-friend...) with a house or condo on the land-side of the race, you'd be crazy not to accept an invite to watch from there. Especially with a pair of binoculars, the elevated spot can offer a specatular view.

However, for most Shootout landlubbers, Dog Days Bar & Grill can be a great place to experience a different kind of Shootout action.

Be aware that you can’t really see the racing from headquarters. A broadcast stage will bring the video feed directly to spectators on land. Plenty of fans stand around the area, talking and watching; sometimes the friends or family of a specific racer will gather to watch their boat on the screen.

Most folks don’t just sit and watch the Shootout on a screen all day, though. The fast boats are cool, but much of the fun of Shootout is the experience. Make sure to stroll through the vendor village and check out the merch tent. Then grab a drink or bite to eat at Dog Days — and be patient with the servers and staff!

4. Tune in, from home

The Shootout will be broadcast over the radio and online. So if you’d rather avoid the water and crowds, and just casually watch or listen to the races and accompanying commentary, here’s how: