LAKE METIGOSHE - For 52 years the water skiers of Club de Skinautique have entertained countless summer residents and tourists with water ski shows at Lake Metigoshe, one of North Dakota's oldest vacation destinations.

After performing its first show in the summer of 1958, Club de Skinautique became an official water ski club in 1959 and a lake tradition began.

And now, every summer youth from around the region practice on Friday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday mornings for a chance to perform at the club's three shows on Lake Metigoshe.

Show announcer Mark Pewe has been involved with the Club de Skinautique for four years and has a daughter, Marissa, who performs with the 17 members in the troupe. He said the skiers have three-hour practices to learn technique and choreography. "And then it's practice, practice, practice."

Pewe, a Bottineau native, said he can recall water ski shows on Lake Metigoshe from back in the 1960s. He said today's shows benefit from modern ski boats with higher horsepower motors.

"In the old days it was tough," said Pewe. "There were double motors but it was not good for barefoot skiers."

He said today's motors have, not only the torque, but are capable of the speed necessary for barefoot and trick skiers in today's shows.

Pewe said water skiers have a variety of skis available to perform their acts. Skis include trick skis with no rudder and swivel skis with a spinning binding.

The summer shows feature a variety of skiing acts including a pyramid, barefoot, kneeboard and jumping. Another feature of this summer's show is Daniel Deslauriers' water ski kite act.

The season finale for Club de Skinautique is at 7 p.m. Aug. 8, and Pewe likes to call the performance on Lake Metigoshe "a little bit of uniqueness up here."