Five Seasons Ski Team to resume shows Thursday night

Rain and high river levels have created rough waters for the Five Seasons Ski Team.

The team usually performs on the Cedar River each week, but recently they've been forced to cancel their last six shows. The season won't be a total washout, though, as the team plans to get back on the water for their regularly scheduled show Thursday night.

The 90-member ski team performs all kinds of acts on the water during their hourlong show including their famous pyramids.

While the skiers are anxious to get back out on the river, the show will have to be modified to keep the skiers safe. River levels have dropped significantly, but the water is currently flowing at more than twice the team's ideal speed.

”We will write a flood show,” said Don Clow of the Five Seasons Ski Team. 'We'll run things in a little different order, make sure we pull acts into currents, make sure we're coming off the docks upstream instead of downstream. So we'll have to reverse some parts, but we'll do a full show Thursday.”

All the Five Seasons Ski Team's shows are free, so while the team hasn't lost ticket sales, they say they've still taken a financial hit by not being able to sell concessions or take donations. They also haven't been able to fulfill their obligation to their sponsors. The ski team spends thousands of dollars a year on equipment and costumes.

Weather permitting, the team does plan to perform at Ellis Park this Thursday. The show starts at 7 p.m.