Water skiing

Last updated

Water Skiing
Water skiing on the yarra02.jpg
Water skiing on the Yarra River in Melbourne
Highest governing body International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation
First performed1922, United States
Characteristics
ContactNo
Mixed-sex No
TypeAquatic
EquipmentWater skis, motorboat, towline
VenueBody of water
Presence
Olympic No
World Games 1981    2017
Water skiers performing at Sea World on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Aqua ballet girls at Waterski Wipeout.jpg
Water skiers performing at Sea World on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Water skiing (also waterskiing or water-skiing) is a surface water sport in which an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation over a body of water, skimming the surface on two skis or one ski. The sport requires sufficient area on a stretch of water, one or two skis, a tow boat with tow rope, two or three people (depending on local boating laws), [1] and a personal flotation device. In addition, the skier must have adequate upper and lower body strength, muscular endurance, and good balance.

Contents

There are water ski participants around the world, in Asia and Australia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. [2] In the United States alone, there are approximately 11 million water skiers and over 900 sanctioned water ski competitions every year. [3] Australia boasts 1.3 million water skiers. [4]

There are many options for recreational or competitive water skiers. These include speed skiing, trick skiing, show skiing, slaloming, jumping, barefoot skiing and wakeski. Similar, related sports are wakeboarding, kneeboarding, [5] discing, tubing, and sit-down hydrofoil.

Basic technique

Water skiers rising out of the water in Melbourne Water skier rising out of water.jpg
Water skiers rising out of the water in Melbourne

Water skiers can start their ski set in one of two ways: wet is the most common, but dry is possible. Water skiing typically begins with a deep-water start. The skier enters the water with their skis on or they jump in without the skis on their feet, having the skis floated to them, and put them on while in the water. Most times it can be easier to put the skis on when they are wet. Once the skier has their skis on they will be thrown a tow rope from the boat, which they position between their skis or, if on only one ski, to the left if right foot forward and to the right if left foot forward. In the deep-water start, the skier crouches down in the water while holding onto the ski rope; they are in a cannonball position with their legs tucked into their chest, with skis pointing towards the sky and approximately 30 cm (0.98 ft) of the ski out of the water. The skier can also perform a "dry start" by standing on the shore or a pier; however, this type of entry is recommended for professionals only. When the skier is ready (usually acknowledged by them yelling "in gear,": followed by "hit it"), the driver accelerates the boat. As the boat accelerates and takes up the slack on the rope, the skier allows the boat to pull them out of the water by applying some muscle strength to get into an upright body position.

By leaning back and keeping the legs slightly bent, the skis will eventually plane out and the skier will start to glide over the water. The skier turns by shifting weight left or right. The skier's body weight should be balanced between the balls of the feet and the heels. While being towed, the skier's arms should be relaxed but still fully extended so as to reduce stress on the arms. The handle can be held vertically or horizontally, depending on whichever position is more comfortable for the skier.

In addition to the driver and the skier, a third person known as the spotter or the observer should be present. The spotter's job is to watch the skier and inform the driver if the skier falls. The spotter usually sits in a chair on the boat facing backwards to see the skier. The skier and the boat's occupants communicate using hand signals (see the Safety section below).

Equipment

Water

A privately owned, artificial water ski lake commonly referred to as Chantalyy Lakes By The Cliff Side, located near Orangeville, Ontario, seen with a slalom course and jump ramp Chantalyy Lakes By The Cliff Side.jpg
A privately owned, artificial water ski lake commonly referred to as Chantalyy Lakes By The Cliff Side, located near Orangeville, Ontario, seen with a slalom course and jump ramp

Water skiing can take place on any type of water – such as a river, lake, or ocean – but calmer waters are ideal for recreational skiing. There should be a 60-metre-wide (200 ft) skiing space and the water should be at least 1.5 to 1.8 metres (5 to 6 ft) deep. There must be enough space for the water skier to safely "get up", or successfully be in the upright skiing position. Skiers and their boat drivers must also have sufficient room to avoid hazards.Most Competitive skiers ski on man made ski lakes. The first was in Barstow Ca built by Jack Horton in 1969. The Second built by famed water ski magnate Herb O'Brien was built in 1972 in Redmond Washington. Today there are over 384 Man made ski lakes in the US.

Skis

Several types of water skis and wetsuits, seen at the Kanalfestival 2011 in Datteln Datteln - KF2011 - Ostufer 06 ies.jpg
Several types of water skis and wetsuits, seen at the Kanalfestival 2011 in Datteln

Younger skiers generally start out on children's skis, which consist of two skis tied together at their back and front. These connections mean that less strength is necessary for the child to keep the skis together. Sometimes these skis can come with a handle to help balance the skier as well. [6] Children's skis are short – usually 110–150 centimetres (45–60 in) long [6] – reflecting the skier's smaller size. Once a person is strong enough to hold the skis together themselves there are various options depending upon their skill level and weight.

Water skiers can use two skis (one on each foot, also called "combo skiing" [7] ) or one ski (dominant foot in front of the other foot, [8] also called "slalom skiing" [7] ). Generally the heavier the person, the bigger the skis will be. Length will also vary based on the type of water skiing being performed; jump skis, for example, are longer than skis used in regular straight-line recreational skiing or competitive slalom and trick skiing. A trick ski is around 40 inches long and wider than combo skis. Again the skier rides it with his or her dominant foot in front. It has no fins which allows for spins to be performed.

Modern water skis have evolved from wooden barrels and snow skis to sophisticated composites of thermoplastics, aluminum, Kevlar, and carbon fiber. These materials make the skis not only high-performing but also sustainable, as manufacturers now use recycled materials to reduce waste and environmental impact. The incorporation of these advanced materials has led to skis that are incredibly strong, lightweight, and flexible, enhancing both performance and durability. Classic water skis are approximately 1.7 meters (5.5 feet) long and 15 centimeters (6 inches) wide, equipped with a stabilizing fin and rubber foot bindings for safety during falls. In contrast, skis used for trick or figure waterskiing are shorter, lack fins for complete rotation capability. [9]

Boat

Ski Nautique 200, widely used for water skiing Ski Nautique 200 - OB.png
Ski Nautique 200, widely used for water skiing

Competition skiing uses specifically designed towboats. Most towboats have a very small hull and a flat bottom to minimize wake. A true tournament ski boat will have a direct drive motor shaft that centers the weight in the boat for an optimal wake shape. However, some recreational ski boats will have the motor placed in the back of the boat (v-drive), which creates a bigger wake. Permitted towboats used for tournament water skiing are the MasterCraft ProStar 197, MasterCraft ProStar 190, Ski Nautique 200, Malibu Response TXi, and Centurion Carbon Pro. [10] These boats have ability to pull skiers for trick skiing, jumping, and slalom. [11]

Recreational boats can serve as water skiing platforms as well as other purposes such as cruising and fishing. Popular boat types include bowriders, deckboats, cuddy cabins, and jetboats. [12]

The towboat must be capable of maintaining the proper speed. Speeds vary with the skier's weight, experience level, comfort level, and type of skiing. [13] For example, a child on two skis would require speeds of 21–26 km/h (13–16 mph), whereas an adult on one ski might require as high as 58 km/h (36 mph). Barefoot skiing requires speeds of approximately 72 km/h (45 mph; 39 kn). Competition speeds have a wide range: as slow as 22 km/h (14 mph; 12 kn) up to 58 km/h (36 mph; 31 kn) for slalom water skiing, and approaching 190 km/h (120 mph; 100 kn) in water ski racing. [14]

The boat must be equipped with a ski rope and handle. The tow rope must be sufficiently long for maneuvering, with a recommended length of 23 metres (75 ft) [15] (within tolerance [16] ) although length varies widely depending on the type of water skiing and the skier's skill level. Competition requirements on rope construction have changed over the years, from "quarter-inch polypropylene rope" in 1992 [17] to the 2003 flexibility as long as the same specification is used "for the entire event." [18] The rope and handle are anchored to the boat and played out at the stern. This anchor point on a recreation boat is commonly a tow ring or cleat, mounted on the boat's stern.[ citation needed ] For more dedicated skiers, a metal ski pylon is placed in the center of the boat in front of the engine to connect the skier. This pylon must be mounted securely, since a skilled slalom skier can put a considerable amount of tension on the ski rope and the pylon.

Safety measures

As water skiing is a potentially dangerous sport, safety is important.

There should be a 200 feet (61 m) wide skiing space and the water should be at least 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) deep. The towboat should stay at least 100 feet (30 m) from docks, swim areas, and the shore, and other boats should steer clear of skiers by at least 100 feet. [15] Without proper space and visibility skiing can be extremely dangerous. Skiers should wear a life jacket regardless of swimming ability. [13] Specially-designed life jackets or ski vests allow movement needed for the sport while still providing floatation for a downed or injured skier. [19] The most common water ski injuries involve the lower legs, such as the knee, because a fall at high speed can create irregular angles of collision between the skier's body and the water surface. Another common cause of injury is colliding with objects on or near the water, like docks. [13]

The tow boat must contain at least two people: a driver and an observer. [13] In most locales, the observer will need to be at least 12 years of age. The driver maintains a steady course, free of obstacles to the skier. The observer continually observes the skier, relays the condition of the skier to the boat driver, and if necessary, raises the "skier down" warning flag, as required, when a skier is in the water, returning to the boat, or in some localities, the entire time the skier is out of the boat. [20] [21] The skier and observer should agree on a set of standard hand-signals for easy communication: stop, speed up, turn, I'm OK, skier in the water, etc. [13] [22]

History

Two women aquaplaning at the sea in Argentina, on the cover of the local magazine El Grafico published on October 23, 1920. Aquaplaning was superseded by the development of water skiing. Mujeres esquiando en el mar - El Grafico 70.jpg
Two women aquaplaning at the sea in Argentina, on the cover of the local magazine El Gráfico published on October 23, 1920. Aquaplaning was superseded by the development of water skiing.
A young man waterskis on one ski(slalom style) Jwright611.jpg
A young man waterskis on one ski(slalom style)

Water skiing was invented in 1922 when Ralph Samuelson used a pair of boards as skis and a clothesline as a towrope on Lake Pepin in Lake City, Minnesota. [23] Samuelson experimented with different positions on the skis for several days until 2 July 1923. Samuelson discovered that leaning backwards in the water with ski tips up and poking out of the water at the tip was the optimal method. His brother Ben towed him and they reached a speed of 32 kilometres per hour (20 mph). [24] Samuelson spent 15 years performing shows and teaching water skiing to people in the United States.

Samuelson went through several iterations of equipment in his quest to ski on water. His first equipment consisted of barrel staves for skis. [24] He later tried snow skis, [24] but finally fabricated his own design out of lumber with bindings made of strips of leather. The ski rope was made from a long window sash cord. [24] Samuelson never patented any of his ski equipment.

The first patent for water skis was issued to Fred Waller, of Huntington, NY, on 27 October 1925, for skis he developed independently and marketed as "Dolphin Akwa-Skees." Waller's skis were constructed of kiln-dried mahogany, as were some boats at that time. Jack Andresen patented the first trick ski, a shorter, fin-less water ski, in 1940.

In 1928, Don Ibsen developed his own water skis out in Bellevue, Washington, never having heard of Samuelson or Waller. In 1941, Don Ibsen founded The Olympic Water Ski Club in Seattle, Washington. It was the first such club in America. Ibsen, a showman and entrepreneur, was one of the earliest manufacturers of water skis and was a leading enthusiast and promoter of the sport. In 1983, he was inducted into the Water Ski Hall of Fame in Winter Haven, Florida. [25]

The sport of water skiing remained an obscure activity for several years after 1922, until Samuelson performed water ski shows from Michigan to Florida. The American Water Ski Association formally acknowledged Samuelson in 1966 as the first recorded water skier in history. Samuelson was also the first ski racer, slalom skier, and the first organizer of a water ski show. [26]

Parallel to this, an avid sailor, sportsman and early adopter of water skiing, the young Swedish engineer Gunnar Ljungström (1905–1999) pioneered water skiing in slalom moves from 1929. A demonstrating behind a motorboat was made to the Swedish public at the 100th anniversary of the Royal Swedish Yacht Club in Sandhamn outside Stockholm in 1930. [27]

Water skiing gained international attention in the hands of famed promoter, Dick Pope, Sr., often referred to as the "Father of American Water Skiing" and founder of Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida. Pope cultivated a distinct image for his theme-park, which included countless photographs of the water skiers featured at the park. These photographs began appearing in magazines worldwide in the 1940s and 1950s, helping to bring international attention to the sport for the first time. [28] He was also the first person to complete a jump on water skis, jumping over a wooden ramp in 1928, for a distance of 25 feet. [29] His son, Dick Pope, Jr., is the inventor of bare-foot skiing. Both men are in the Water Ski Hall of Fame. Today, Winter Haven, Florida, with its famous Chain of Lakes, remains an important city for water skiing, with several major ski schools operating there.

Water skiing has developed over time. Water skiing tournaments and water skiing competitions have been organized. As an exhibition sport, water skiing was included in the 1972 Olympics. The first National Show Ski Tournament was held in 1974, and the first ever National Intercollegiate Water Ski Championships were held in 1979. The Home CARE US National Water Ski Challenge, the first competition for people with disabilities, was organized ten years later.

The first patented design of a water ski which included carbon fiber was that of Hani Audah at SPORT labs in 2001. Its first inclusion in tournament slalom skiing was in 2003. [30]

Disciplines

3-event tournament water skiing

In the United States, there are over 900 sanctioned water ski competitions each summer. [3] Orlando, Florida is considered to be the competitive 3-event waterskiing capital of the world. [31] Competitive water skiing consists of three events: slalom, jump, and trick. [3] [32]

Slalom

17-year-old Toronto skier Chantal Singer slaloming at the 2012 Canadian National Waterski Championships in Calgary, Alberta Slalom Good Pic.jpg
17-year-old Toronto skier Chantal Singer slaloming at the 2012 Canadian National Waterski Championships in Calgary, Alberta

In an attempt to become as agile as possible, slalom water skiers use only one ski with feet oriented forward, one in front of the other. Slalom skis are narrow and long, at 57–70 inches (145–178 cm) depending on the height and weight of the skier. The two forward-facing bindings vary: they can be made of rubber or thick plastic, and they can be designed more like a snow ski binding or more like a roller blade boot.

Slalom skiing involves a multi-buoy course that the skier must go around in order to complete the pass. A complete slalom water ski course consists of 26 buoys. There are entrance gates at the beginning and end of the course that the skier must go between, and there are 6 turn buoys that the skier must navigate around in a zigzag pattern. The remainder of the buoys are for the driver to ensure the boat goes straight down the center of the course. For a tournament to be sanctioned as 'record capable' by the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), the entire course must be surveyed prior to competition by a land surveyor to ensure its accuracy. The drivers boat path must be verified as well to ensure that all skiers are getting a fair pull.

Every consecutive [32] pass is harder than the pass before it. When a pass is completed, the boat is sped up by 3 kilometres per hour (2 mph) or the rope is shortened by specific increments. The rope is usually not shortened until the maximum speed has been reached for the division, based on the skier's gender and age (55 kilometres per hour (34 mph) for women and 58 kilometres per hour (36 mph) for men). In a tournament, the boat speeds up or the rope shortens until the skier fails to complete the slalom course by falling, not getting around a buoy, or missing an entrance or exit gate. [32]

A skier's score is based upon the number of successful buoys cleared, the speed of the boat, and the length of the rope. In a tournament, skiers choose the starting boat speed and rope length (with a maximum length of 22.86 metres (75 ft)). Professional water skiers will typically start at the max speed of 58 kilometres per hour (36 mph) with a rope that has already been shortened to 13 metres (43 ft). The skier with the most buoys wins the competition. [32]

The turn buoys are positioned 11.5 metres (38 ft) away from the center of the slalom course. As the rope is shortened beyond that, the skiers are required to use the momentum generated through their turns to swing up on the side of the boat and reach out in order to get their ski around the next buoy. At these rope lengths, the skier's body is experiencing intense isometric contractions and extreme upper body torque with loads of up to 600 kg as they begin accelerating after rounding a turn buoy. Their top speeds will generally be more than double the boat's speed, which means that the Pro men can reach speeds in excess of 116 kilometres per hour (72 mph) and each turn will generally generate around 4 g of force. Essentially, slalom water skiers are using their body as a lever, which allows them to withstand loads that would otherwise not be possible for the human body.

Jump

Water ski jumpers use two long skis to ride over a water ski jump in an attempt to travel the longest distance. In a tournament, skiers are given three attempts to hit the ramp. The winner is the skier who travels the farthest calculated [18] distance and successfully rides away. [33] There are no style points, simply distance. [32]

Water ski jumps have specific dimensions and the ramp height is adjustable. Skiers may choose their boat speed and ramp height, although there are maximums based the skier's gender and age. Professional ski jumpers have a maximum boat speed of 58 km/h (36 mph; 31 kn). The ramp height must be between 1.5 and 1.8 m (5 and 6 ft). As a professional jumper approaches the ramp they will zigzag behind the boat in a series of cuts [33] to generate speed and angle. When the jumper hits the ramp they will generally be going over 112 kilometres per hour (70 mph) and the load they have generated on the rope can be over 600 kilograms (1,300 lb).

Trick

A competitor at a trick skiing event in Austria in 2017 Fischlham Mevisto Cup 2017 Trickski Theresa Schmidberger1-1.jpg
A competitor at a trick skiing event in Austria in 2017

The Trick competition has been described as the most technical of the three classic water skiing events. [32]

Trick skiing uses small, oval-shaped or oblong water skis. Beginners generally use two skis while more advanced skiers use one. [32] The shorter, wider Trick ski has a front binding facing forward and a back binding facing at a 45°. It has a smooth bottom that allows it to turn over the surface of the water. According to official 2013 Tournament Rules for 3-event competition in the United States and the Pan-Am Games, skis used in the Tricks event must be a single ski without fins, although molded rails/grooves less than 6.4 mm (14 in) are allowed, as are a foot pad cemented to the ski as a place for the rear foot; in addition, the ski must float with all bindings, fins, etc., installed.[ citation needed ] The ski's configuration allows the skier to perform both surface and air tricks in quick succession.

In a tournament, skiers are given two 20-second runs during which they perform a series of their chosen tricks. In most cases, one pass is for hand tricks, which includes surface turns, rotations over the wake, and flips. The second pass is for toe tricks, which are done by doing wake turns and rotations with only a foot attaching them to the handle; the foot is either in the toehold part of the handle or, professionally, attached to the rope. [32] The toehold part of the handle does not allow the skier to let go of the handle if they lose their balance and fall into the water, therefore a person in the boat is required to release the rope from the boat using a quick release mechanism installed on the ski pylon. A trick cannot be repeated. [32] Each trick has a point value. A panel of five judges assesses which tricks were completed correctly and assigns that predetermined point value to each successfully completed trick. The skier with the most points wins. [32]

Barefoot water skiing

Barefoot skiing on Lake Ozonia in the Adirondacks Barefoot Waterskier Michael French.jpg
Barefoot skiing on Lake Ozonia in the Adirondacks

A barefoot water skier should use a wetsuit instead of a life jacket because the wetsuit covers more of the body in case of a fall at high speed. The wetsuit also allows the skier to do starts in the water where they lie on their back. Unlike a normal life jacket, the "barefoot wetsuit" allows the skier to glide on their back on top of the water once they reach a high enough speed. The barefoot wetsuit is generally thicker in the back, rear, and chest for flotation and impact absorption.

Barefoot skiing requires a higher speed because the skier's feet are smaller than skis, providing less lift. A rule of thumb for barefoot water skiing speed in miles per hour is (M/10)+18=S, where M equals the skier's weight in pounds. In other words, a 175 lb (79 kg) person would have to divide 175/10, which is 17.5; then simply add 17.5+18 which equals 35.5 miles per hour (57.1 km/h).

Another tool used in barefoot water skiing is the barefoot boom. It provides a stable aluminum bar on the side of the boat where a short rope can be attached or the skier can grip the bar itself. The skier is within earshot of the people in the boat, providing a good platform for teaching. Once the bare footer is good enough, he/she will go behind the boat with a long rope.

A beginner can wear shoes to decrease the necessary speed, lessen foot injury from choppy water, learn better technique, and master the sport.

Show skiing

Water ski pyramid with 18 skiers Lake Zumbro, Minnesota, August 2010 4high.jpg
Water ski pyramid with 18 skiers Lake Zumbro, Minnesota, August 2010

Show skiing is a type of water skiing where skiers perform tricks somewhat similar to those of gymnasts while being pulled by the boat. Traditional ski show acts include pyramids, ski doubles, freestyle jumping, and swivel skiing. Show skiing is normally performed in water ski shows, with elaborate costumes, choreography, music, and an announcer. Show teams may also compete regionally or nationally. In the US, each team member must be a member of USA Water Ski to compete.

The first organized show occurred in 1928. [34] The bi-annual World Show Ski Championship was inaugurated in September 2012 in Janesville, Wisconsin. [35] [36] Past competition included teams from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, and the United States. [35]

Freestyle jumping

Freestyle jumping is often related to show skiing. The goal is to go off the jump, perform one of many stunts, and successfully land back on the water. The most common freestyle stunts – in order of usual progression – would be a heli (360°), a flip (forwards), a gainer (a back flip), and a möbius (back flip with 360°).

Ski racing

Ski racing in Australia Women's round of the Barry Carne Interstate Ski Challenge.jpg
Ski racing in Australia

Water ski racing consists of 1 or 2 skiers per boat who race around a set course behind boats set up for this type of event. It can occur in a 'circle' or lap format type racing or on river courses offering longer distances and higher speeds. Races can be timed events such as 20 minute races and up to 1 hour or on courses where race distance can be over 100 km in length.

Speeds vary by classes but can reach up to 200 km/h. Boats can be inboards or outboards and are generally between 19 and 21 feet in length. Outboards are commonly 300HP and Inboards around 1,300HP (majority are turbocharged).

Current format world championship racing involves men's and women's open (unrestricted), and men's and women formula 2 (limited to single rig, 300 hp outboards, as well as junior classes for under 17's. The World Championships are held every 2 years with the most recent being 2019 in Vichy, France.

Major events include the Southern 80 (Echuca Victoria Australia), the Diamond Race (Viersel Belgium), the Catalina ski race (Long Beach CA United States), and the Bridge to Bridge (Sydney Australia). Races can have anywhere from 10 boats to 150 boats competing (grouped by engine size and age classes).

Disabled

A disabled water skier on a slalom sit ski Sit-ski-slalom.jpg
A disabled water skier on a slalom sit ski

Disabled water skiing uses equipment or other adaptations to allow disabled people to compete in standard 3 event skiing. Seated water skis, special handles, audio slalom gear, and other adaptations are all used for different disabilities.

Criticism

While water skiing is very popular, it is not universally liked. The fast, powerful boats create noise, [37] cause waves which can cause beach erosion, and sometimes hit swimmers, other boats, or marine life. People operating boats may drink alcohol, which increases the chance of accidents. Water skiing is also criticized for air pollution from the boats' engines, and the unnecessary use of fuel (usually gasoline) and the consequent impact to climate change.

See also

Notes

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  2. "Regional Sites". International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 "USA Water Ski Profile". USA Water Ski. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  4. "About Us". Australian Waterski & Wakeboard Federation. Archived from the original on 24 January 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  5. Ritchhart, Mark (September 2009). "Kneeboarding – Fun For Everyone" (PDF). The Water Skier. USA Water Ski: 46–47. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2011.
  6. 1 2 Macaco, Houlihan (27 January 2011). "Children's Waterskis". Made Manual. Break Media. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  7. 1 2 Bostian, Julie. "Dropping a Water Ski to Go Slalom Waterskiing". About.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  8. Bostian, Julie. "Determining Which Foot to Put Forward in Slalom Water Ski or Wakeboard Bindings: Are You Goofy Footed In Your Wakeboard Bindings or Slalom Water Ski Bindings?". About.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
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  12. "Watersports", Boat Buyer Guide for Watersports & Recreation Boating, Discover Boating, archived from the original on 3 December 2013
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Learn to Ski Basics" (PDF), Basic Skills Challenge Series, USA Water Ski, archived (PDF) from the original on 24 January 2014
  14. "National Water Ski Racing Association: History and Description". USA Water Ski. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  15. 1 2 "Water Skiing and Diving". Boating Activities. Boat US (Boat Owners Association of the United States). 2008. Archived from the original on 15 September 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  16. Risto (21 February 2014). "Are You Skiing with a Short Ski Rope?". Waterski Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  17. Corson, Robert (1992). "International Water Ski Federation Tournament Manual". International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  18. 1 2 Corson, Robert K., ed. (20 January 2003). "International Water Ski Federation 2003 Tournament Water Ski Rules (Version 1.1)". International Water Ski Federation. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010.
  19. "US Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets". WaterDudes.org. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  20. "Public Act 098-0697". Illinois General Assembly. 1 January 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  21. Washington State Legislature (25 July 1994). "WAC 352-60-120: Water ski observer". Access Washington. Archived from the original on 18 October 2011.
  22. "Water-Skiing Hand Signals", Pennsylvania Boating Handbook, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, retrieved 23 October 2013
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  24. 1 2 3 4 "History of Water Skiing". ABC of Skiing. MaxLifestyle International Inc. Archived from the original on 21 April 2008.
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  27. Fredrik Ljungström 1875–1964 Uppfinnare och inspiratör (1999) by Olle Ljungström, Sveriges Mekanisters Riksförening, ISBN   91-630-7639-X
  28. The Lakeland Ledger, 29 January 1988. Vol. 82 No.99 Pg11A
  29. Pope, Dick Sr. (1958). Water Skiing. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. p. 52.
  30. "Water Skiing". Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  31. "How Orlando Became the Mecca of Water Skiing". Waterski Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 September 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "World Championship History". Water Ski World Cup (WSWC). Archived from the original on 19 October 2006.
  33. 1 2 "Jump Gold". Rip 'n Ride. Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  34. "National Show Ski Association: A Brief History of Show Skiing". USA Water Ski. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013.
  35. 1 2 Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Club, Inc., 2014 WORLD SHOW SKI TOURNAMENT (PDF), International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation, archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2013, retrieved 29 October 2013
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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wakeboarding</span> Surface water sport

Wakeboarding is a water sport in which the rider, standing on a wakeboard, is towed behind a motorboat across its wake and especially up off the crest in order to perform aerial maneuvers. A hallmark of wakeboarding is the attempted performance of midair tricks. Wakeboarding was developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing techniques.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barefoot skiing</span>

Barefoot skiing is water skiing behind a motorboat without the use of water skis, commonly referred to as "barefooting". Barefooting requires the skier to travel at higher speeds (30–45 mph/48–72 km/h) than conventional water skiing. The necessary speed required to keep the skier upright varies by the weight of the barefooter and can be approximated by the following formula: + 20, where W is the skier's weight in pounds and the result is in miles per hour. It is an act performed in show skiing, and on its own.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kneeboarding (towsport)</span> Water sport

Kneeboarding is an aquatic sport where the participant is towed on a buoyant, convex, and hydrodynamically shaped board at a planing speed, most often behind a motorboat. Kneeboarding on a surf style board with fin(s) is also done in waves at the beach. In the usual configuration of a tow-sport kneeboard, riders kneel on their heels on the board, and secure themselves to the deck with an adjustable Velcro strap over their thighs. Most water ski kneeboards do not have fins to allow for easier surface spins. As in wakeboarding or water skiing, the rider hangs onto a tow-rope. The advantages of kneeboarding versus other tow-sports seems to be an easier learning curve and a sense of being closer to the water when falls occur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation</span> International sport governing body

The International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) is the world governing body for all towed water sports. Founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1946, it is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the sole authority governing all towed water sports and has 91 affiliated member federations worldwide. The IWWF is also an affiliate member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and is one of the seven founding sports of the World Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MasterCraft</span> Boat manufacturing company

The MasterCraft Boat Company is an American manufacturer of luxury high-performance boats. The company was founded in 1968 in Maryville, Tennessee, and is currently headquartered in Vonore, Tennessee. MasterCraft boats are used in waterskiing, wakeboarding and wake surfing. Although, the company has also produced several boats that are not focused on water sports, such as the NauticStar line of fishing boats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cable skiing</span>

Cable skiing is a way to water ski, in which the skier's rope and handle are pulled by an electrically driven cable, whereas traditionally a waterskier is pulled by a motorboat. The mechanism consists of two cables running parallel to one another with carriers between them every 80 metres. The carriers are metal tubes that can hook up tow ropes with riders. Tow ropes are detached and attached at the same time without slowing the system down, which is a main reason for its high efficiency. With a main cable of 800 metres long, 10 riders can waterski or wakeboard at the same time. The speed of the main cable can be up to 38 mph (61 km/h), and slalom skiers can reach much higher speeds. The most common speed is 19 mph (31 km/h), which suits wakeboarders best.

The Water Ski World Championships is a bi-annual water ski competition that has taken place since 1949. Held near the end of the competition season, the World Championships are one of the sport's oldest major championships along with the Masters Water Ski Tournament and the U.S. National Water Ski Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sit-down hydrofoil</span>

The sit-down hydrofoil, first developed in the late 1980s, is a variation on water skiing, a popular water sport. When towed at speed, by a powerful boat or some other device, the board of the hydrofoil 'flies' above the water surface and generally avoids contact with it, so the ride is largely unaffected by the wake or chop of the water and is relatively smooth. The air board is a modified hydrofoil where the skier stands up.

Nautique Boat Company is an American boat manufacturer that produces boats primarily for waterskiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing. With models in the Super Air Nautique and Ski Nautique lines, they are widely considered the gold standard in the inboard towboat market. Owned by parent company, Correct Craft, Nautique is a member of the oldest family-owned and operated boat manufacturer in the world.

George Joseph Cash was an American professional water skier. During his career Cash won four Masters, three U.S. Nationals, and two World Championships.

Richard Downing Pope Jr., better known as Dick Pope Jr., was a World Champion water skier and an important business leader in Central Florida. Pope was an important innovator in the sport of water skiing, including the development of barefoot skiing in 1947. He is the son of Dick Pope Sr., the founder of Cypress Gardens theme park.

Deena Mapple is a retired American competitive water skier. She is regarded to be one of the greatest female water skiers of her generation. Her Grand Slam Victory in 1987 - overall wins in the World Championships, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Masters and the Pro Tour - made her one of two athletes to ever accomplish the feat. She remains the only American to earn membership to the United States Waterskiing Team seven consecutive times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regina Jaquess</span> American water skier (born 1984)

Regina Jaquess is an American water skier. She had won awards in the sport by age 13 and won medals in Water skiing at the 2003 Pan American Games. In that same year she won at the Water Ski World Championship. She won gold medals in Water skiing at the 2011 Pan American Games and for 2012-2013 was named "Female Slalom Skier of the Year" by Water Ski Magazine.

Keith St. Onge is a professional barefoot water skier. He holds the record for the most U.S. National Overall Pro titles at fourteen, a record previously held by Ron Scarpa. Keith is a two-time World Barefoot Champion, winning Overall titles in 2006 and 2008.

Julia Gromyko is a Belarusian-German water skier. As of 2004 she was the world record holder in the tricks and jump events.

Australian Waterski and Wakeboard Federation, or AWWF is the governing body for the Waterskiing, Wakeboarding and Bare footing in Australia.

Michael "Mike" Kjellander is a Swedish former professional water skier. He won the US Pro Tour 21 times, two times Masters champion, one-time US Open champion, 15 times European champion, 32 times national champion, two silver and one bronze from World Championship, and one-time world record holder. He specialized in slalom and jump but was initially also successful as an overall skier. He is still the national current record holder in tricks with a score of 7,760 points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African Water Ski Federation</span> South African water ski governing body

South African Water Ski Federation (SAWSF) is the governing body for the sport of waterski in South Africa. It is affiliated to the world governing body International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation, and SASCOC.

Nancie Rideout Robertson was an American professional water skier. During her competitive career, Rideout won the inaugural Masters and two World Championships in jump.