Show ski teams from across the country will converge on Warsaw this summer for two tournaments.
The first tournament is the City of Lakes Show Ski Tournament Saturday, hosted by the Lake City Skiers on Hidden Lake, Warsaw.Saturday's tournament begins at 8 a.m. with individual competitions, including swivel, doubles and jump.
Team competition then begins at approximately 10:40 a.m. with the Chippewa Lake show ski team from Ohio starting off. Their show will be followed by shows by Grand City, Michigan; Silver Lake, Michigan; and then Warsaw's own Lake City Skiers. Each show lasts approximately 1-1/2 hours, including set-up and tear-down time.
Tracy Patrick, Lake City Skiers co-show director, said audiences can expect to see barefooting, freestyle jumping, pyramids, ballet lines, swivel, shoe skis, around the boat, doubles, trios and air chairs.
The awards ceremony will follow team competition.
Patrick said the family oriented tournament and show is free to the public. Concessions will be offered in the pavilion.
"It's lots and lots of fun," she said.
"I'm very excited to see all the Midwest teams at our site," said skier Jakim Wilson. He said he has great anticipation for the tournament, which should be very competitive.
After winning first place at Division II national competition in 2006, the Lake City Skiers are hosting nationals this year. This will be the second tournament hosted by the Lake City Skiers this year.
"It brings a lot of revenue to the restaurants and hotels in the area," Wilson said of the national tournament. "It gives them (the skiers, spectators) the idea to come back and see the community for a visit."
The seventh annual Malibu Division II Show Ski National Championships will be Aug. 4-5 in Warsaw. The tournament is expected to feature more than 500 athletes competing for the national title.
In competitive show skiing, each club has one hour to present a theatrical performance on water skis. Judges score the acts by awarding points based on originality, presentation and execution. As an announcer leads the audience through the show, a presentation of costumes, music, dancing and water skiing takes place.
For their own show, the Lake City Skiers is presenting "Pirateology: A Pirate's Life from Ship to Shore." Part "Pirates of Penzance," part "Pirates of the Caribbean," the show includes pirates, treasure hunting and a little romance.
The Lake City Skiers offer home shows most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. on Hidden Lake, behind Smith Tire, Ind. 15, Warsaw. All shows are free, but donations are accepted as the show ski team is a not-for-profit organization.
