A splash with real panache in White Bear Lake

Standing on a small dock, a 30-person pyramid three levels high deftly makes its entry into Goose Lake in White Bear Lake. The splashy maneuver is a favorite of the crowds that gather many Sunday evenings throughout the summer to watch the Ski Otters Water Ski Team.

The daring but artistic move punctuates the panache built into the Otters' performance of "Ski Side Story," a fully narrated play on water that's a loose adaptation of the musical "West Side Story."

Like its stage counterpart, the water drama features star-crossed lovers from feuding families, Betty Lou from the Master Craft family and Johnny Rocket of the Evinrude family. There also is a cast of more than 75 colorfully clad skiers who range in age from teens to those old enough to be members of AARP, president Kristi Skillings said.

The group performs gainers (back flips), spins, jumps and ski in pairs as well as highly choreographed adagio doubles, similar to what ice dancers do in the Olympics. All of this while a mix of country and rock tunes play over the public address system.

"It's never really the same show twice," said Skillings. "We have comedy, too."

The Otters began 16 years ago and have been "White Bear Lake's best-kept secret," she said. Over time, the team has grown to 140 members, including 14 former professional skiers who have appeared at places such as Cypress Gardens in Florida and Tommy Bartlett's shows in Wisconsin Dells.

The team has even made a name for itself nationally. Last weekend the team finished first and captured several individual honors at the Midwest Regionals. It now has its sights on a top finish at the national competition put on by the National Show Ski Association Aug. 13-15 in Janesville, Wis.

But a majority is just ski enthusiasts, including 2-year-old twins participating in the Otters' junior program. Members of that team give a 20-minute performance before the main show. "Waterskiing is something you can do with the whole family," Carpenter said. "Fathers and daughters can ski right alongside next to each other."

Of course, no show can go off without the team of volunteers who serve as announcers, dock crew, boat drivers, spotters and sound crew.

Team members practice up to three hours a night, four evenings a week to perfect their moves and learn new roles so they can fill in when others are absent. They also put in hours throughout the year writing scripts, sewing costumes and participating in fundraisers.

Time isn't the only investment team members make; they also pay $300 per individual or $600 per family to be a part of the action.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768