April may just be another word for "month of showers" to most people, but, to members of the University's water ski club, it signifies something to look forward to: Practice.

Though the club will not participate in any tournaments or competitions until its season starts again in the fall, members said they are looking forward to getting back out to Lake Belleville, their official practice site after winter.

The team has grown considerably since its formation a decade ago and is now ranked among the top schools in its region. The region includes teams from Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State and Illinois State.

Though the team is competitive, members said competition is just half of the team's purpose.

"We're a two-fold club," club President Bryan Maloney said. "We are a competition team and then we are just people who like to ski."

He said about half the team's 30-to-50 person membership can choose not to compete in any given year.

Since the team is multidimensional, it attracts a variety of skiers - some who have never skied before or have very little experience with the sport and others who have been learning tricks since junior high school.

"There's no talent requirement to join the club," Maloney said, adding that when he joined he had never competed, though he did start skiing when he was 10 years old. "If you love to water ski, we'll take you."

Those who do choose to compete have three events to choose from: Slalom, trick and jump. Though women and men do not compete against each other, the final score is a combination of men's and women's performances.

Members said even at tournaments, the focus is not completely on winning.

The competitions "were mostly about hanging out with kids from other schools and having a good time at the lakes," Club treasurer Jim Denner said. "During the day, everyone was out to do their best in skiing, but the great part was hanging out with a bunch of people that you don't normally get to see."

But Denner said the competitive aspect of the team might mean more to him than to other members.

"My brother skied for (Michigan) State and I ski for Michigan - the rivalry couldn't be better," he said. "Every week we fought hard in slalom to see who could beat who."

When it starts in September, the team's season includes four tournaments. The top two teams in the region go on to nationals, a trip last made by team members in 2000. Though the club didn't get a chance to go in 2001, they are hoping for a return trip in 2002.

Maloney said the majority of the team's recruitment happens as the season is gaining momentum in the fall, but interested students can join any time.