2013 Cover
Inside Cover (front) Picture Collage
2013 Show Schedule Shows Held at Ellis Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa June 6 7:00pm June 13 7:00pm Freedom Festival Shows (June 20 — July 4) June 20 7:00pm June 25 7:00pm
June 27 July 2 July 3 July 4 July 11 July 18 July 25 August 1
7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm
August 8 7:00pm August 15 6:45pm August 22 6:45pm August 29 6:45pm Labor Day Show (September 2) September 25:00pm
Welcome to the Show,
We would like to take a minute to thank everyone who helps to make this show possible. Thank you to all of our dedicated team members who have worked nonstop in preparing for this show, all of our parents and volunteers who put in countless hours of work, R & L Marine for their continued sponsorship, providing as much Evinrude ETEC power as we need to get our acts on the water, and our sponsors, advertisers, and contributors who make it possible for the Five Seasons Ski Team to exist. Most importantly, we would like to thank you, the audience, whose applause, cheers, laughter, and smiles keep us not only top of the water, but down at Ellis Park every year. So without future adieu, sit back and enjoy as Charlie leads you on the tour of lifetime in his chocolate factory! Kris Cory & Jessica Salzwedel, 2013 Co-Show Directors Terry Brandt, 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-the-scenes crew which includes rope handlers, costume designers, sound technicians and dock personnel. Or, maybe you see yourself atop a 4-tier 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! 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 ever -changing 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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! 3-in-1 Five Seasons Ski Team’s newest addition to the show, our “3-in-1,” involves a group of skiers first building a pyramid, then stunting conventional double moves, and finally ending as a ballet line, all behind one boat, during one continuous run.
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!
The Five Seasons Ski Team is proud to be an affiliate of
We present free, weekly water ski shows at Ellis Park throughout the summer. In order to raise funds, we ask for tax-deductible 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, on our trailer, on our jump, or on our boats, please speak to one of our members after the show, contact us at one of the addresses below, check out our website, www.5sst.com, or email us at ads@5sst.com!
Amber Bortz, Mark Bortz, Mary Bortz, Taryn Bortz, Claire Bou Brandt, Terry Brandt, Adam Burstain, Benjamin Burstain, Jen Cavanagh, Jill Clayton, Keegan Clayton, Donald Clow, Greg C Goldberg, Judy Goldberg, Kylie Parker Goldberg, Abi Gray, Kevin Hupp, Megan Hurlbert, Jarred Joens, Larry Joens, Nata Koehn, Jill Kreitman, Nathan Kreitman, Benjamin Lammers, D var, Angel Mattix, Gabriel McCormick, Brian Menge, Julie M Nance, Aubrey Novak, Kelly Novak, Ryan Novak, Gordon J. Audrey Schanau, Gayle Schanau, Mark Schanau, Reid Scha Sheyko, Mary Jane Sheyko, Pete Sheyko, Helaina Thompson, ters, Bryce Wilson, Kayd Wilson, Lauren Wilson
uchard, Jeanne Bouchard, Kate Brandt, Michael Brandt, Nora nnifer Burstain, Emma Cavanagh, Janae Cavanagh, Madalyn Cooley, Lexie Cooley, Kris Cory, Payton Edgerly, Adam Parker , Justin Harms, Kelly Houser, Timothy Houser, Josh Hupp, alie Joens, Rylee Kauffman, Darcy Koehn, Molly Koehn, Steve David Lammers, Andi Lawrence, Amanda Legate, Steve LouMenge, Kevin Menge, Kelsey Morfitt, Rob Myhlhousen, Jeff . Parker, Angie Pretasky, Deb Salzwedel, Jessica Salzwedel, anau, Brian Schultz, Julia Sheyko, Katherine Sheyko, Kristin n, Phil Thompson, Katelyn Skye Thompson-Untiedt, Nick Waln, Pete Wilson, Raquel Wilson, Tyler Wingerson
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 taxdeducible donations!
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!
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.
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 ball-bearing 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!
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.
Conventional Doubles In this two-person performance, the base holds on to a handle and skis while another person contorts into various formations.
Five Seasons Ski Team History Iowa Kelly Mercury Master Midwest National State Allender Invitational Craft Regional Show Tournament Invitational International Tournament Ski ChampionTournament ship 2012
8th
3rd
12th
2011
12th
5th
10th
2010
9th
5th
10th
3rd
11th
2008
2nd
14th
2007
6th
8th
6th
12th
2009
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
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 2013 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 Bomb-out In this form of starting, the skier jumps out of the skis and begins barefooting.
Barefoot Beach-start Just as the name implies, barefoot beachstart is sliding off the beach, then barefooting away!
Barefoot Flyers In this form of starting, the barefooters jump off the dock or a platform prior to barefooting. Backwards Barefoot Just like front barefoot, except that the skiers barefoot backwards.
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.
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!
A Big Thanks To Our Advertisers! Adelitas Mexican Restaurant ArJay Center Arnold Motor Supply Becker Canvas Bortz Family Bouslog Insurance Brandt Family Brecke, Inc Brown’s Shoe Fit Co Care Chiropractic Cedar Boat Club Cedar Memorial Chartaire Clayton Family Collins Community Credit Union Cranky Hank’s Culver’s Landscape Dairy Queen Dells Area Signs EcoLips Edward Jones, Ted Steger Evinrude
Frey Pet Hospital R&L Marine Fusion Edge Photogra- Rathje Construction phy ReNu Your Life Graphics 2000 Rinderknecht Guppy’s On The Go Rivercity Pilates Hayes Lorenzen Law- Scales Pointe Marina yers Scheels Hot Harry’s Buritos Seatasea Watresports Houser Family Shuttleworth & IngerHyVee soll Insight Vision Signature Santiago Iowa Cremation Snapdragon Floral Iowa Realty, Phil Len- Subway #13448 zen Sunline, Inc Kennedy Marine Terry, Lockridge & King’s Material Dunn Koehn Family Total Eclipse Tanning Linn County Deputy Studio Sheriff USA Waterski Marion Maid Rite Villa’s Patio Mumm’s the Word Vlcko Tax/ Pitcher’s Bookkeeping Pizza Ranch We Run Professional Muffler Wilson Family Inc Z 102.9
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 Mark Bortz, Kate Brandt, Adam Parker Goldberg—Program
Inside Cover (back) Picture Collage