Welcome to the Show,
I would like to take a minute to give thanks to everyone who helps to make this show possible. Thank you to all of our team members who have worked nonstop to get this show ready for you today, all of our parents and team volunteers who are always there to lend a hand or advice, and my family for the endless amount of support they have given me. I also want to thank R & L Marine for sponsoring us with as much Evinrude ETEC power we need to get these acts on the water, and our sponsors, advertisers, and contributors who make it possible for the Five Seasons Ski Team to exist. And, most importantly, I would like to thank, you, the audience, whose applause, cheers, laughter, and smiles keep us on top of the water instead of in it. So now sit back and enjoy as our very own ringmaster presents you with all of the excitement and thrills that Cirque de L’eau has to offer! Brian Menge, 2012 Show Director
Gordon Parker, President Don Clow, Public Relations
WANTED Young or old; experienced or inexperienced; if you have never skied before, or you were skiing before you were walking; we want you! We have taught people how to ski, and people have taught us a thing or two. If you are interested in being a part of a team that likes to have fun, look no further - the Five Seasons Ski Team is the team for you! Maybe you like the thought of being behind the wheel of our Evinrude powered boats, or perhaps part of our high tech behind-thescenes crew which includes rope handlers, costume designers, sound technicians and dock personnel. Or, maybe you see yourself atop a 4tier pyramid? If any of these exciting and rewarding positions interests you, please speak to any of our members after the show or contact us at one of the addresses below to discuss your future with the Five Seasons Ski Team! The Five Seasons Ski Team would like to have your ad! If you are interested in advertising in next year’s program, on our trailer, on our jump, or on our boats, please speak to one of our members after the show or contact us at one of the addresses below! www.5sst.com fsskier@msn.com 319-393-6583 PO Box 10701, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410-0701
Pre-Show During the half hour prior to the start of the shows, you’re treated to a short group of acts we call our “Pre Show”! This unique and everchanging set of acts may include our newest members showing off what they’ve learned, or seasoned veterans attempting something brand new! Whatever the case, you’ll be glad you came a little early, found a good seat and enjoyed our preshow!
Show Theme and Announcers Show skiing involves a group of skiers performing a variety of acts with the objective of providing entertainment. Even at the most advanced and technically difficult levels, the basic concept remains the same; to entertain the crowd. Show skiing is one of the most entertaining disciplines in the sport of water skiing. It is fast moving, exciting, graceful and, most of all, fun to watch. Nearly all traditional aspects of the sport, including barefooting, jumping, and trick skiing, are combined with some contemporary acts such as pyramids, doubles, and trios, and are choreographed into a themed production. The announcers play a very important role in the show. They are the spectators’ official hosts and establish the environment and tempo of the show, often playing a character as part of the show's theme. In addition, they have the added responsibility of explaining the acts as they relate to the technical aspects of water skiing.
Pyramids The pyramid is one of the most popular acts with ski show spectators and probably the most photographed. Pyramids are one of the most difficult acts to put on the water. They require a lot of towing power, strong base skiers, and teamwork. The bases of the pyramid must carry the weight of all the climbers above them. The climbers must climb with quick precise movements to their proper positions. Many nights are spent practicing the climbing on land before it is attempted on the water. Climbing the pyramid is only half the battle! Once it is up and passes the crowd the climbers must come down in the reverse order that they climbed. This can sometimes be more difficult than actually building the pyramid. Last year the Five Seasons Ski Team became one of the few teams in the world capable of building a 5-tier pyramid!
The Five Seasons Ski Team is proud to be an affiliate of
Trios Each set of Trios consists of two skiers on bottom and one on top. The bases are connected to the boat with a strap harness around their waist. This leaves their hands free to lift the top person into various positions.
Wakeboarding In the last decade, wakeboarding has become one of water-skiing's fastest growing disciplines. With the ability to perform jaw-dropping aerial stunts, these skiers never cease to amaze!
Strap Doubles Strap Doubles is very similar to pairs ice skating except that it is performed on the water. The base is connected to the boat with a strap harness around his or her waist. This leaves the hands free to perform many different lifts with the person on top. This act requires a great amount of mutual trust between the doubles partners and also with the safety person in the boat. The safety person is responsible for releasing the skiers from the boat in case of a fall.
Conventional Doubles Conventional Doubles is similar to Strap Doubles except that the base holds onto a handle.
Ballet Line Ballet line is a high energy dance on skis! The skiers perform a choreographed dance to music while skiing. While performing their dance on the water you may see them holding the handle in various different ways. Holding the handle with their legs or using a heel or toe hold leaves the skiers hands free for arm movements. It takes several hours of practice to just learn the choreography for this act. They have also spent additional hours learning how to do a hop-dock alone as well as in large groups. Hop dock pulling boat drivers are very critical to this act. Just a little too fast or too slow off the dock and the skiers might get pulled out the front or sink.
Check out the new Five Seasons Ski Team website! Same address, new look! www.5sst.com
Swivel Swivel Skiing is one of the most graceful acts in show skiing. It is also probably one of the hardest acts to learn. This act gets its name from the binding that is used on the ski. The binding is mounted on a ballbearing which allows the binding to rotate 360 degrees. Swivel skiers perform their unique water ballet either with a hand-held tow rope or a special toe-hold handle with a safety release in the boat. Willa McGuire Cook originated swivel skiing in the 1950's when she combined the graceful moves of ballet with water skiing by using a swivel binding on a ski. This highly successful concept is now seen in ski shows all over the world.
Each year, the top show ski teams in the nation compete at the National Water Show Ski Tournament. At the end of this three day event, one female skier is selected to receive the Willa Cook Award. This trophy is the highest individual award that a female show skier can attain in her sport. Our team is very proud of the fact that the 2005 Willa Cook Award winner is our own Mary Bortz!
We present free, weekly water ski shows at Ellis Park throughout the summer. In order to raise funds, we ask for taxdeductible donations. In addition, we sell ads in this very program. We distribute in excess of 2000 of these programs to our audience during the course of the summer at all of our regular shows. If you are interested in having your ad in next year’s program, please check out our website, www.5sst.com, or email us at ads@5sst.com!
2012 Show Schedule Shows Held at Ellis Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa May 31 7:00pm June 7 7:00pm June 14 7:00pm Freedom Festival Shows (June 21 — July 4) June 21 7:00pm June 26 7:00pm
June 28 July 3 July 4 July 5 July 12 July 19 July 26
7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm
August 2 7:00pm August 9 7:00pm August 16 6:45pm August 23 6:45pm August 30 6:45pm Labor Day Show (September 5) September 5 5:00pm
Steve Ashbacker, Blaine Bierschenk, Jessica Bonnema, Amber Bortz, M Brandt, Austin Broghammer, Nathan Broghammer, Emma Cavanagh, Ja Cooley, Lexie Cooley, Lisa Cooley, Taylor Cooley, Kris Cory, Brooke Deve beth Fadley, Sienna Fadley, Coulter Fafard, Ryan Furnish, Destiny Gatto, April Hall, Sky Hall, Justin Harms, Rachel Hopp, Heather Houg, Connie Hup lie Joens, Darcy Koehn, Molly Koehn, Steve Koehn, Jill Kreitman, Nathan K gel Mattix, Brian Menge, Julie Menge, Kevin Menge, Nic Meyers, Jeff Nance Josh Reeves, Amy Robinson, Cory Robinson, Jessica Salzwedel, Brian Sch Kelci Smith, Alysa Smith, Grant Smith, Tammy Smith, Helaina Thompson den Boom, Nick Walters, Bryce Wilson, Kayd Wilson, Lauren Wilson, Pe
Mark Bortz, Mary Bortz, Taryn Bortz, Michael Brandt, Nora Brandt, Terry anae Cavanagh, Madalyn Cavanagh, Keegan Clayton, Donald Clow, Greg reux, Georgia Devereux, Ben Dugan, Nick Edwards, Duane Fadley, ElizaAdam Parker Goldberg, Judy Goldberg, Kylie Parker Goldberg, Abi Gray, pp, Jessica Hupp, Josh Hupp, Kevin Hupp, Jarred Joens, Larry Joens, NataKreitman, David Lammers, Andi Lawrence, Carl Louvar, Steve Louvar, Ane, Aubrey Novak, Kelly Novak, Ryan Novak, Gordon Parker, Jade Peterson, hultz, Katherine Sheyko, Kristin Sheyko, Mary Jane Sheyko, Pete Sheyko, n, Phil Thompson, Katelyn Skye Thompson-Untiedt, Mike Valant, Jeff Vanete Wilson, Raquel Wilson, Jarod Zumbach, Laurie Zvacek, Nico Zvacek
Five Seasons Ski Team History Midwest Regional Tournament
National Show Ski Tournament
2010
9th
5th
10th
3rd
11th
2008
2nd
14th
2007
6th
8th
6th
12th
2009
Master Craft International Championship
10th
Mercury Invitational Tournament
5th
Kelly Allender Invitational Tournament
12th
Iowa State Tournament 2011
3rd
2006
6th
2005
2nd
3rd
9th
2004
2nd
2nd
12th
2003
4th
3rd
11th
2002
5th
5th
2nd (Div. 2)
2001
4th
3rd
5th
13th
2000
3rd
1st
3rd
12th
4th
6th
13th
1999
2nd
1998
1st
1997
2nd
2nd
6th 1st (Div. 2)
13th
COUPONS
More COUPONS on reverse side
COUPONS
About the Five Seasons Ski Team The club was formed in 1978 for the purpose of advancing the sport of waterskiing and entertaining and educating the general public. This includes individual skiing, team skills, recreational skiing, and general safety principles. Recreational and beginning skiers have the opportunity to learn all facets of waterskiing. The club provides instruction, boats, skis, other equipment to our regularly scheduled practices and ski schools. Members and skiers range in age from five to sixty five years old and there are no age limitations. Recreational and family skiers enjoy the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of the club, while being exposed to a wide variety of skiing skills, boats and boat driving skills. We are happy to announce that we are a 501c3 organization and appreciate your tax-deducible donations!
2011 Results The Five Seasons Ski Team took 10th place at the 2011 Mercury Invitational Show Ski Tournament in Janesville, WI 5th place at the 2011 Midwest Regional Show Ski Tournament in Cedar Rapids, IA 12th place at the2011 National Water Ski Show Tournament in Janesville, WI
Shoe Skiing Skis that are not much bigger than the feet that are in them mark this unique form of skiing. Requiring higher speeds due to their small size, shoe skis are sometimes used as a starting point for barefooters in training.
Boat Drivers Our boat drivers spend several hours each year practicing their timing and control. Without precise control of the speed and path of the boat, our skiers could not perform many of the exciting acts you will see while enjoying our show. The rope handler riding in the boat insures the skier’s safety during a fall and are an integral part of the boat driving team. Our 2012 driving team includes Don Clow, Kevin Menge, Brian Schultz, and Mark Bortz! Motors for Sale You can own the power of the Five Seasons Ski Team—All of the Evinrude motors you see on our boats are for sale! If you are interested in purchasing any of these motors, please talk to one of our boat drivers after the show or contact Rick at R&L Marine at 319-365-0138 (more contact information on the back cover of this program).
Barefoot Barefooting is probably one of the most fast paced and exciting acts in show skiing. Just as the name implies this act involves skiers skimming across the water at high speed on their bare feet.
Barefoot Line Barefoot line is multiple skiers barefooting in a line. They usually start barefooting by stepping out of a single ski.
Barefoot Bomb-out In this form of starting, the skier jumps out of the skis and begins barefooting.
Barefoot Flyers In this form of starting, the barefooters jump off the dock or a platform prior to barefooting.
Barefoot Pyramid The barefoot pyramid looks just like it sounds, bases barefooting with a person standing on their shoulders between them. They start out on skis, the top person climbs into position and then the bases proceed to step out of their skis one at a time.
Backwards Barefoot Just like front barefoot, except that the skiers barefoot backwards. Barefoot Beach-start Just as the name implies, barefoot beach-start is sliding off the beach, then barefooting away!
Prebuilt Pyramid All tiers of the pyramid are constructed before the pyramid leaves the dock. Notice the spotters on the dock; they help to support the pyramid until the ropes tighten. Spotters also protect the climbers in case of a fall as the pyramid leaves the dock.
Presto Assuming the two three-tier prebuilt pyramids successfully make it off the dock, the climbers can converge and form one, higher, 4-tier pyramid. Carrying out this task takes a lot of skill and team work; the climbers must move quickly, yet smoothly over the bases and everyone in the pyramid must stay upright and strong!
Around The Boat In this act multiple skiers ski completely around the boat. The skiers all wear helmets and floatation in case of an accident. They start the act lined up so that the skier with the longest rope is to the right. As the skiers progress around the boat the skiers with the shorter ropes pass under the longer ropes. When the skiers finish the act the skier with the shortest rope is to the right. If a skier on a short rope should fall during this act the helmet will help prevent injury should a skier on a longer rope hit him. The skiers on the longer ropes must always be alert in case another skier should fall so they can avoid hitting them. The boat driver must also be very alert for the skiers safety. If a skier should fall in front of the boat the driver must instantly kill the motors to avoid running over the skier or his rope.
Backwards Around the Boat Just like Frontwards Around the Boat, only backwards. If the skier is performing the act backwards the boat driver must be alert to where the skier is at all times as the skier is unable to see what is coming.
Jump Jump is when skiers ski over a floating ramp. The first performance of water ski jumping was by Dick Pope in Miami Beach, Florida in 1928. Our jumpers wear helmets and padded suits to help protect them in case of a fall. Jumping may include variations such as multiple skiers going over the ramp while other skiers will cross under them. The skiers going over the ramp may be performing helicopter spins and flips! Watch the other skiers as they crisscross underneath or split between the skiers going over the jump!
You may notice our newer concrete stage and walkway improvements, a project that would not be possible without our advertisers or your donations. Our future plans include more horsepower on our boats, additional bleacher seating, more equipment, and other upgrades. Please support our advertisers; with their continued support, and yours, we will be able to perform even bigger and better shows for your entertainment! Ski Ya Later!
A Big Thanks To Our Advertisers! 3E Advance Auto Parts Aflac AJ Associates (John Jurca and Victor Amoroso Jr.) Ameriprise Financial (Wallace, Sandberg, & Associates) Annette Martin ArJay Center Arnold Motor Supply Becker Canvas Bortz Family Bouslog Insurance Brecke Care Chiropractic Cedar Memorial Century Cab Chartaire, Inc. Collins Community Credit Union Connie Alt CRST Culvers Landscape Dan Lynch Dells Area Signs Dublin City Pub EcoLips Edge Salon And Sun Spa (Linda Hunt and Ann Brecht) Edward Jones (Ted Steger)
Electronic Engineering Frey Pet Hospital Fusion Edge Photography Graphics 2000 Guaranty Bank Hawkeye Fire And Safety Hayes Lorenzen Lawyers PLC Hot Harrys Hupp Family Hupp Toyotalift Hy-Vee Insight Vision Iowa Cremation Iowa Walls Salzwedel Family Harms Family Clayton Family Kennedy Marine Kernels Kings Material Lammers Vending LLC Lauren Wilson Linn County Sheriffs Dept Marion Maid Rite Nick Walters Nissan Subaru (Dave Wright) Novak Family Ollinger Garage Door Orange Leaf Parker Goldberg Family
Phil Lenzen Platinumerose Studio And Gallery LLC R&L Marine Riccolo and Semelroth PC Rinderknecht Roscoes Pizza Safe Kids Scales Point Seatasea Watersports Signature Santiago Simply Divine Snapdragon Floral LLC State Farm Agent Jerry Green and Heath Kilpatrick Stickling Construction (Brent M. Stickling) Subway #2783 Summit Schools Sunline Inc. Terry, Lockridge & Dunn, Inc. (Paula Rogers) True North UIU United Refrigeration Inc US Cellular Vlcko Tax WELU West Side Tire Wilsons Hauling Zoeys Pizza
A Special Thanks to the Following... Rick and Crew, R&L Marine Evinrude Outboards The City of Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids Parks Department Cedar Rapids Visitors & Convention Bureau Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce Cedar Rapids Recreation Commission Cedar Rapids Riverfront Commission Cedar Rapids Police Department Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Dan Lynch—Donation of Sound Trailer Electronic Engineering—Radios Hy-Vee—Ice Donation Rinderknecht Associations, Inc.—Pod Storage Mike Garrett—Equipment Storage Julie Menge—Costumes, Backdrop Design Mark Bortz, Don Clow, Adam Parker Goldberg—Program