Tuesday night’s performance by the Five Seasons Ski Team was incredible, to say the least. It was one of four special shows, in addition to their weekly Thursday night performances, added as part of the 2009 Freedom Festival.  What I found most impressive though, was not just their abilities on the water. 

With temperatures below 70 degrees and an overcast sky, the crowd sat bundled in jackets and under blankets, while the daring performers willing jumped into the cool water. While being in the water itself may not have been so bad, getting wet and then flying over the water at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour could not have been comfortable. But the ski team’s love of what they do was evident, always coming out of the water with huge smiles on their faces.

Now, I’m not trying to downplay the stunts that they performed.  From the swivel skiers to the strapped doubles team to the pyramids, the Five Seasons Ski Team definitely knows how to put on a good show. One of the more memorable stunts was when six skiers went 360 degrees all the way around the tow boat. According to the host, this requires incredible skill on the part of the driver, as well as the skiers, to ensure that the boat provides proper momentum throughout the stunt.

While the pre-built pyramid didn’t make it off the dock intact, the most impressive stunt, a four-tier pyramid, was a complete success. The stunt started out with 14 pairs leaving the dock in two tiers, pulled behind the three propeller tow boat. They then proceeded to build the other two tiers, ending up almost 24 feet in the air.

The Five Season Ski Team will be performing three more times this week, Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m. on the Cedar River at Ellis Park.