(February 2024)
Tim Spitzack
Editor
Five years ago, Lori Ska stepped outside her comfort zone in a big way. At the urging of a friend, she decided to try out for a spot on the St. Paul Bouncing Team, a crowd-favorite attraction at St. Paul Winter Carnival parades and other events throughout the year. The team has the distinct honor of having performed in every St. Paul Winter Carnival since the inaugural event in 1886.
“I tried it out of curiosity but I was a little bit intimidated,” she said.
Reality set in when she hopped up on the canvas blanket during the tryout and was bounced high into the air.
It was a rocky start.
“The first time I nearly lost my stomach,” she confessed. “On my last try, I did a straddle (sideways splits) and pulled a muscle.”
Despite the minor injury, she was hooked and went on to perform with the team at an average of 14 events a year. At age 36, she is now the senior member of the 4-person team, and this year’s carnival will be her last. Each “Bouncing Girl” (as they refer to themselves) serves a 3-year term, but due to COVID-19 and the cancelation of events in 2020, Ska’s term was extended one year.
The team consists of four women – most of whom are in their late 20s and have a background in gymnastics, diving or cheerleading – and more than 40 pullers. Pullers are the men who hold the handles of a circular canvas blanket and launch the acrobatic women high into the air and make sure they touch down safely. Each blanket is held by14 pullers at a time, and no pulling crew has ever failed to catch a bouncer.
The team’s formation was inspired by a Native American hunting tradition in which a member of a hunting party was tossed into the air to spot game. In the early days, team members did little while in the air. Today, however, they are far more adventurous. It’s common to see them do straddles, spins and even backflips while soaring to heights of 20 to 30 feet – all the while with a big smile on their face.
Ska’s specialty is the backflip, and she may perform that maneuver 7-10 times during one parade. She said performances in cold weather are the most challenging, and that she still gets a bit anxious the first time she gets on the canvas. That’s because the team has just one practice a year.
Following tryouts this year, Ska will no longer be on the team. However, she said she will be their “number one go-to sub” if a team member can’t make an event. And since team members may try out for future teams, she is not ruling out a return to action.
“Who knows, maybe I’ll be back doing it again at age 70,” she quipped.
Her comment belies the team mantra: “Once a bouncing girl, always a bouncing girl.”
The St. Paul Bouncing Team will hold tryouts 6-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2, at the Landmark Center. It’s open to the public for viewing. The following day you can see the team in action during the Torchlight Parade, held 5-7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3. The route goes from West 7th at Smith Avenue, to 5th Street, to Washington, to 4th Street at Rice Park.
Women attending the tryout must be at least 21 and able to serve a three-year term. One alternate is also selected to serve a one-year term. During tryouts, contestants are judged on height achieved, form while on the blanket and in the air, and a positive attitude. There is no restriction on height or weight. Also, there are no tryouts for pullers. Anyone may apply and pullers must pay a small annual fee. The club covers all expenses for the women.
“The team is a great way to meet an amazing group of people and build some good friendships,” said Scott McNiff, club president. “There is a real sense of camaraderie on the team and most members are proud to say that they are part of such a unique group.”
If you’ve not yet experienced the team in action, make this the year to witness the high-energy, high-flying group. It all begins with the crowd chant: “One, two, up she goes!”
For more information, visit stpaulbouncingteam.org.
