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Meet The Skimmers |
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Taylor Anderson Hey, how are you doing? Good to hear. After being on the team five summers, Taylor understands the importance of crowd appeal and attitude. Being that you are reading this, Taylor will assume you are pretty into the show and want to really be ‘WOW-ed’ out there. Good. Well hold onto your hats ladies and gentlemen, for you have entered a completely new world, a water ski world. It’s quite nice. You should enjoy it! |
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Ted Baier Stevens Point, WI. Ted is back for his 6th summer as a Chain Skimmer. Ted has recently graduated from the University of Indiana with a business degree, which means that his career as a Skimmer is slowly coming to an end, and real life is approaching. This may be Ted’s last summer as a Chain Skimmer, but he is not too old to tear up the glassy waters of Lake Pleasant with effortless ease and infinite grace, all in the anticipation of a mere smile from Mrs. Mathers, and perhaps even a laugh (even if it is at the expense of her son Michael). Ted can be seen throughout the show escorting girls around the lake, jumping out of both skies onto nothing but his bare feet, flying over the ramp to great heights, and as one of the building blocks in the final pyramid. As the show director for the second summer, Ted is “cooking up” a great show that he knows will not leave you feeling unsatisfied. So please sit back and enjoy the show. And if you find yourself wondering how James, the driver of our brand new 2008 Ski Nautique, can reach the pedals, just remember…there are no pedals in boats! |
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Kristen Balek |
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Richard Balek Park Ridge, IL. This is Richard's first year on the team. He is going into his sophomore year at Maine South High School where he is on the schools soccer team. You can see him in acts such as barefooting, cons, pyramids and anything else he can do. Richard loves anything involving water skiing! He was in Junior Club since he was 7, so keep going Junior Club and don't give up. I hope you enjoy the show as much as I love being a part of the Chain Skimmers. |
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Karisa Carlson Karisa is 21 and will be a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University in the fall. She is majoring in Elementary Education and has a long internship ahead this year; however, she looks forward to graduating in the spring! When Karisa is not skiing or doing school work, she is usually working in the restaurant business or lying around in the beautiful Florida sun! She is a resident of Stormy Lake in Conover and loves escaping to the Northwoods for the summer!! This will be Karisa’s 7th summer on the team. This will also be her 1st year as President and 3rd year as Junior Club Director. You can usually find her in acts such as Ballet, Girl Pyramid, Swivel, and Pre-fab. If you have any questions regarding the Chain Skimmers or our Junior Club Program, please look for her after the show. |
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Bill Clark This is Bill's third summer on the team, and he will be a sophomore at DePaul University in Chicago. As someone who wastes away a large portion of his life playing video games, majoring in game design and development was the perfect choice for him. During the long winter months, Bill enjoys snowboarding, playing the guitar, and playing video games. During the summer, Bill loves to wakeboard and hang out on the water. Look for Bill in doubles and pyramid acts. |
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Jessica Clark Jessica is 16 years old and will be a junior at Hinsdale Central High School. This is her second summer on the team. During the long school year, Jessica participates in as many performances as possible. When she is not on stage singing, dancing, or acting, she loves spending time with her friends and family. Look for her in jazz line, pyramids, and cons throughout the show.
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Anna Dahms Anna is 12 years old and will be a 7th grader at Thompson Middle School. This is also her first yearon the team. During the school year she enjoys playing basketball, volleyball, and hanging out with her friends. During the show you may find her in pyramids, jazz line, and doubles acts.
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Ellie Dahms Ellie is 16 years old and will be a junior at St. Charles North High School. This is her second summer on the team. During the school year, Ellie enjoys running track and hanging out with her friends. Throughout the show, look for Ellie in jazz line, pyramids, and cons! |
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Jake Dahms |
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Chris Dandoy Chris is 22 yrs old and this will be his 8th year with the team. Last year was supposed to be his last but he just finds it so hard to leave the team and the home that he loves so much. You can find Chris going up and over that ramp, in pyramids, doubles, and doing a little bit of dancing! Back in Milwaukee, Chris bartends at a local bar and grill and also serves the best hot dogs in Milwaukee at the DOG HAUS. In his free time, when he gets it, he enjoys snowboarding and working on his car. Look for Chris this summer enjoying his time on and off the water!! |
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Bradley Ellis Bradley Ellis, Announcer/Mechanic/Actor (Got Work?, see me after the show), 6'2, 150 Lbs., Beautiful Blue Eyes, Killer Smile, I like sleeping under the stars, Fishing, Camping, being completely serious when writing profiles, wink wink. HI MOM! (she'll love it!) |
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Katie Engleking This is Katie's 3rd summer on the team. Katie is 16 years old and is a Junior at Hinsdale Central High School. During the school year, she enjoys playing lacrosse, snowboarding, and hanging out with her friends. You can spot her in acts such as jazz,pyramids, and doubles acts. You can also see Katie with the “blondes”, Lauren, Britt, and Kristen! |
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Lauren Engleking This is Lauren's 4th summer on the team. Lauren will be a Senior at Hinsdale Central High School where she is involved in Varsity Poms and Lacrosse. When Lauren is not skiing during the summer, she continues to work with the Chain Skimmers over the school year. This is Lauren's second year as the Secretary of the team, and this is also her second time making the lovely program you are looking at! Throughout the school year, Lauren enjoys being a "candy stripper" at the hospital, where she gets a lot of her volunteering hours done. But during the summer she gets even more done while teaching the Junior Club kids how to ski. Throughout the show you can spot Lauren in acts such as jazz, pyramids,and trio! You can also see Lauren around with the “blondes”, Kristen, Britt, and Katie! |
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Madeline Engleking Madeline is 13 years old and will be an 8th grader at Hinsdale Middle School. This is her first year on the team, but definitely not her last. During the school year, she enjoys playing soccer, dancing, and hanging out with her friends. During the show you may see her in acts such as pyramids, jazz line, and doubles acts. |
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Abbie Flaherty Abbie will be a sophomore at Florida Gulf Coast University where she majors in Biology. This will be Abbie’s 8th summer on the team and she is happy to finally be free of a board position on the team this year. While she is not skiing in the shows you can find her at Wild Eagle Lodge as your friendly housekeeper. On the water you can spot Abbie in acts such as barefoot pyramid, jazz, and girls pyramid. |
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Liz Flaherty |
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Marc Flaherty
Marc is 13 and will be an eighth grader at Black Creek Elementry/Middle School. This will be Marc’s first year on the team. During the school year he enjoys hobbies and sports such as fishing, hunting, football, weight lifting, and four wheeling. |
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Chris Gehrke |
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Katherine Gursoy Katherine has just recently graduated from Naples High School and is hoping to attend the University of Florida this fall. She was a varsity cheerleader throughout high school and may continue with it during college. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, reading, and going to the movies. You may see her in acts such as ballet and pyramid acts. |
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Ian Hawkins Ian will be a Junior in college this Fall. This will be Ian's 2nd summer on the team and 1st year on board. When not waterskiing, Ian enjoys snowboarding, snowmobiling, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. You can see Ian in pyramids, barefooting, strapdoubles, and other various acts throughout the show. |
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Elise Heidrich This is Elise's first summer on the team and this coming fall she will be a sophomore at New Trier High School. When not dreaming of waterskiing and not messing around with her twin sister, Elise enjoys cross country running, dance, playing lacrosse, and snow skiing. Look for Elise in acts such as conventional doubles, jazz line, and pyramids. |
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Nicole Heidrich This fall Nicole will be a sophomore at New Trier High School. This is her first summer on the team and she is so excited to perform. When she is not waterskiing, she participates in dance, cross country, snow skiing, and lacrosse. She also likes to fool people and switch places with her twin sister, Elise! During the show, you can spot Nicole in the jazz line, conventional doubles, and pyramids. |
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Kristyn Kuzniar Des Plaines, IL. Kristyn will be a Senior at Maine West this fall. During the long school months, Kristyn is involved in music and theatre at her school. This is her second year on the team. You can find her before or after the show running around as the treasurer. During the show you can find her out on the water in jazz and pyramids. |
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Britt LeBeau This is Britt's 3rd summer on the team. She will be a Senior at Mother McAuley High School in Chicago. Britt participates in varsity track and also loves playing volleyball in her spare time. You can spot Britt in acts such as jazz, pyramids, and doubles acts. |
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Luke LeBeau Chicago, IL. Luke will be a sophomore at St. Rita High School in Chicago where he plays soccer on the JV team. He also enjoys basketball and baseball in his free time. You can find Luke in acts such as barefooting, doubles acts, and pyramids. |
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Jordan Leitner Phelps, WI. This fall Jordan will be a Senior at Phelps School in Phelps, Wisconsin where he participates in soccer and baseball. In the summer, when he's not out on the water, he loves to keep busy with hiking, camping, mountain biking, kayaking, and especially photography. In the long winter months of Northern Wisconsin, Jordan tries to keep as active as possible by snow skiing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling. Watch for Jordan in acts such as pyramids, conventional doubles, and various barefooting acts. |
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Rob Lipinski Riverwoods, IL. This is Rob's second summer on the team. This fall he will be a Sophomore at Western State College of Colorado in Gunnison where he spends most of his time getting lost in the mountains. If he's not on the water he's probably out rock climbing or teaching snow skiing at Crested Butte (if you're looking for a ski lesson book a private with him this winter ehh..ehh..) Look for him in pyramids, barefooting acts, some sort of doubles and whatever else he finds his way into. |
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James Masterfield This is James 5th summer on the team and his first summer as Vice-President. He will be a Senior at The University of Montana – Missoula next fall and will be graduating with a B.A. in Business Management and a Second Degree in Sociology. During the winter James enjoys Snowboarding and Cross-Country Skiing in the Mountains. You can find him up in the Bitterroot Mountain Range most weekends and if not there he is hiking and Skiing in the backcountry… During the summer you can find him working out at Camp Birch Knoll with Teddy and Mikey, or out at Chain Skimmers driving the 2008 Ski-Nautique.
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Mike Mather Eagle River, WI. For a second year in a row, Mike is a co-show director along with Teddy and Jake. You can find him in many different acts through out the show such as doubles, pyramids, 360 around the boat, barefooting, and maybe even jump. When Mike is not on the water performing for the audience, he can be found at Camp Birch Knoll where he is a waterski instructor or possibly working at the newest hot spot in Eagle River called the Tipsy Turtle. He is writing this blurb with a heavy heart as it will be his last one he ever writes. This is his eighth year on the senior club but has been at almost every show since the early nineties. Since he graduated in May from the University of Iowa with a Health Sport Studies degree, he unfortunately has to retire from the team at the end of the summer in order to find a real job. |
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Mats Mirick Wausau, WI. Mats is 19 and a student at the University of Montana-Missoula. He currently is double majoring in psychology and human biology in hopes to someday (10-12 years of post-secondary education...yikes!) practice in the field of medicine. He has his guide license in fly fishing so that this coming fall he will be able to guide in Montana, Idaho, and Washington. You can find him in hot acts like trick jump, wakeboarding, and barefooting. Since last summer he suffered from a broken rib and right ankle, he is very excited to return and finally be on the water. He is a very nice person, so feel free to approach Mats after the show to say hi! |
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Dylan Osiecki Conover, WI. This is Dylan’s second year on the team. He is 21, and a junior at UW Eau Claire where he is double majoring in Physics and Engineering. Dylan enjoys snowmobiling, skiing, boating, playing music, and doing basically anything outside. You can spot him in acts such as pyramids, prefabs, trio, and 360 around the boat. |
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Megan Palmer Marshfield, WI. This is Megan's second year with the Chain Skimmers. Her first summer on the team she was in a variety of acts including girls barefoot pyramid, conventional doubles, ballet, prefab, and pyramid. Megan is a Sophomore in college and will be transferring to UW Stevens Point to pursue a career in Elementary Special Education. When not performing with the Chain Skimmers, Megan spends her time skiing on her own lake, working at Eagle Rivers clothing store Gliks, and spending as much time having fun with her friends and family. |
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Josh Peschek Hubertus, WI. Standing tall at 5 foot 3 inches, Josh Peschek is definitely not the tallest skier on the team. But what he lacks in height, he makes up for with his quick wit and finely-toned muscular physique. Josh will be a Sophomore at Hartford Union High School this fall, and is a first-year member of the Chain Skimmers. You may find him in acts such as barefoot pyramid, doubles, or jump. The best way to spot Josh is simply by looking down! |
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Ellie Pesek Ellie will be a Junior in college and is planning to transfer to the University of Eau-Claire WI this fall to continue her degree in nursing. During the school year Ellie enjoys snowboarding, snowmobiling, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. This is Ellie's 9th summer on the team. Throughout the show, look for Ellie in jazz, pyramids, strap doubles, swivel, and any other double acts. |
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Jessica Shrifra Watersmeet, MI. Jessica is 18 and is going to be a Freshman at Gogebic Community College this fall. This is her third year on the team. Besides waterskiing, Jessica loves to play basketball, run track, snowboard and hang out with her friends. You can catch Jessica in acts like girls pyramid, swivel, jazz, and maybe even conventional doubles. |
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Joey Van Caster This will Joey's 9th and final summer on the team. He has been a boat driver since his first day on the team and still loves every minute behind the wheel and on shore. This has been one of the best experiences of his life and wishes everyone on the team the best of luck in the future. And on a personal note, if the team ever needs his services around the site to give him a call, just remember that it may not be free anymore. |
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Tyler Wagner Hartland, WI Tyler is currently attending University Lake School in Hartland, WI. as a Sophmore. One of my hobbies is playing the guitar. On weekends during the Winter months, you can usually find me snow skiing or snow boarding at Indianhead, but I live for snowmobiling. Basically because I pretty much like anything that has a "get up and go" idea. In the summer, when I am not at Chain Skimmers, you will find me out driving my boat and practicing new barefooting techniques. |
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Mandy West Eagle River, WI This is Mandy's 1st year on the team. She is one of the few year round locals on the team. Next year she will be a Senior at Three Lakes High School where she plays volleyball. In the winter months, Mandy keeps herself busy by doing alot of snowboarding. Keep an eye out for her in acts like ballet, prefab, conventional doubles, and pyrimids throughout the show. |
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