PHOTO GALLERY: Water skiers relax, joke and ski during Lake Sundance tournament

July 14, 2012 | 7:18 p.m. CDT

A slalom and trick water skiing tournament was held at Lake Sundance on Saturday. People of all ages participated in both the slalom and the trick events. Skiers relaxed and joked around before the tournament began.

Rick Stephens makes a run on the water ski slalom course on Saturday at Lake Sundance in Columbia. Individuals of all ages participated in slalom and trick events. | Carrie Durkee

Mike McDonald, left, and Jack Daugherty prepare for their turns on the slalom course Saturday at Lake Sundance. | Carrie Durkee

Mike McDonald begins a run down the slalom course Saturday at Lake Sundance. At the beginning of a run, the boat driver must accelerate quickly in order to bring the skier to the top of the water. | Carrie Durkee

Ella Burke, 12, relaxes on a swing before her turn on the water skiing course Saturday. She said she skis because she likes gliding on the water. | Carrie Durkee

Samantha Young attempts a turn on the slalom course Saturday at Lake Sundance. She asked for an easy run because she is still learning. | Carrie Durkee

Chris Kuecker holds onto Dan Greene* as Greene and Drew Fendler hold a ski rope for Parker Shull on Saturday at Lake Sundance. Shull insisted he could ski his course backward, so he was practicing what that would feel like. | Carrie Durkee