The Lake Panorama ski team began practicing for its annual performance in late May. Shown in this doubles group, left to right, are Matt Lukacs with Danica Isom, Dale Behrends with Kaitlin Kent, and Nate Woods with Natalie Donovan. The reason for all the smiles is because Woods dropped a ski and is slaloming with Donovan on his shoulders. This had never been done before it happened in a recent practice.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Lake Panorama ski team.
By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
Members of the Lake Panorama ski team are getting ready for their annual performance as part of the 2024 Panorama Days celebration. The show will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 with parking and viewing on Lake Panorama’s south shore.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Lake Panorama ski team. This is the team’s 39th show since the COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 show to be canceled. Team members decided to celebrate the 40th year milestone this year anyway.
This is the second year for the Lake Panorama ski team to have formal legal status. In 2023, a board of directors was formed, officers were elected, bylaws were established, and 501(c)3 nonprofit status was obtained.
Matt Lukacs is well known for his barefoot skiing on Lake Panorama. Here he works on his form during a Lake Panorama ski team practice session.
The team currently has 45 members with about five of those who don’t ski but fill vital roles. There are 13 kids younger than the age of 18. The two youngest members of the team are both 5. The oldest team members are around 70 years old.
This spring, ski team members were asked to complete a survey to provide feedback on the 2023 show and offer changes they’d like to see for this year.
One thing that came out of the survey was members hope to shorten the show. The show length hasn’t been determined yet, since it is dependent on who wants to do what. Typical acts that are sure to be in the 2024 show are the high pyramid, kids skiing, doubles, saucers and barefoot skiing.
Team members have been practicing on Thursday nights at the south shore from 6-9 p.m. In July, the team also is practicing on Tuesdays at the same time and place as they put the finishing touches on their Panorama Days performance.
This trick is called the “Willie.” It involves Larry Isom skiing past the dock, where his son, Clint Isom, is waiting. As Larry passes, Clint jumps from the dock onto his dad’s back, and the pair continues on skis together.
Donations help cover gas in the boats, team insurance, equipment and equipment maintenance, costumes and props. Because of the ski team’s nonprofit status, donations now are tax deductible. Donations can be made by check, payable to Lake Panorama Ski Team, and mailed to P.O. Box 384, Panora, Iowa, 50216.
New members of all ages are welcome to join the ski team. The only requirement is membership in the Lake Panorama Association.
Pyramids are a crowd favorite during the Lake Panorama ski team’s annual performance, which will be Aug. 3 at 2:30 p.m. during Panorama Days. Practicing a 7-4-1 pyramid are, bottom row, left to right, David Dwyer, Lynn Nelson, Matt Lukacs, Eric Reese, Jake Huseman, Dale Behrends and Nate Woods. Middle row, Emily Reynolds, Kathy York, Natalie Donovan and Kaitlin Kent. At the top is Tate Mills.