By Susan Thompson | Times Vedette
The Lake Panorama Ski Team has been a part of Panorama Days for more than 40 years. This year’s show will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 with parking and viewing on Lake Panorama’s south shore.
The theme for the 2025 show is “Making Waves Since 1985.” The history of water skiing, which began in 1922 in Lake City, Minnesota, will be showcased with costumes, music and on-shore skits that allow the water to calm down between acts.
Prior to the show, members of the ski team will be in the Panorama Days parade towing the Ski Team boat with kids “skiing” behind the boat and adults throwing candy.
The ski team has 42 members this year with 32 of those skiing. Others help with ropes, boat driving, music, photography and general organization.
There are 12 kids skiing this year, ranging in age from 5 to 16. Of the 20 adult skiers, the youngest is 18 years old, and the oldest is in his 70s.
For many, ski team is a family activity. The Reese and Lefkow families both have three generations involved.
The Reese family includes Grandpa Mark, his son Eric, daughter Sarah Mills, and Sarah’s kids, Tate, Reese and Chloe. The Lefkow family includes Grandpa Bruce, Grandma Liz, daughter Laura Eslinger, and Laura’s daughters, Evelyn and Ella.
New members of all ages are welcome to join the ski team. The only requirement is membership in the Lake Panorama Association.
Ski team practice starts at the end of May. Practices are held each Thursday night, weather permitting, from 6-8:30 p.m. In June, team members spend most practices trying different things. As the kids get older and bigger, they try different acts each year.
In July, the team firms up the acts and act order. Practices are held both Tuesday and Thursday the last two weeks of July. Practices the last week of July are dress rehearsals with the skits and music.
This year’s ski show is expected to last about an hour and a half. Again this year, there will be canopies and free water on the south shore to help with the heat. Viewers are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets.
Buoys will be placed in the water to mark off the show area. Boats can anchor behind the buoys and tie up with friends to watch the show.
The show will include Matt Lukacs and his barefoot skiing, the “Willie” hitchhiker act with father and son duos Larry and Clint Isom and Eric and Leyton Temple, a 10-girl line, three-high pyramids, doubles acts where girls ride on guys shoulders, saucers with stools, kneeboarding and more.
This is the third year for the Lake Panorama ski team to have formal legal status. In 2023, a board of directors was formed, officers elected, bylaws established, and 501(c)3 nonprofit status obtained.
Because of the ski team’s nonprofit status, donations are tax deductible. Donations help cover gas in the boats, team insurance, equipment and equipment maintenance, costumes and props.
A QR code printed on ski team posters and pamphlets will be available at the show and other locations to allow electronic donations. Donations also can be made by check, payable to Lake Panorama Ski Team, and mailed to P.O. Box 384, Panora, Iowa, 50216.
