Water Skiing

In general, Water Skiing works this way: you are on your water skis as you are being pulled by a boat. It sounds as simple as that. However, the mode of being pulled can come in many variations. You can be dragged behind a speedboat, or if you are more adventurous, you can try being dragged along a dragline.

Types of Water Skiing

Water skiing has many variations. Here are the classic disciplines in Water Skiing namely Slalom Skiing, Trick Skiing, and Jump Skiing.

Slalom Water Skiing - is the most popular water skiing discipline because almost everybody can enjoy this Water Skiing discipline. In this water skiing discipline, the slalom course consists of 6 fixed buoys. The standard buoy colors are Red for End Gates and Skier Buoys and yellow for Boat Guide buoys. The Skier Buoys (fixed buoys) are placed alternately from each side of the Boat Guide Buoys. The first Skier Buoys are placed on the right side. The skier begins at the entrance buoy and they must pass the outside of each Skier Buoys before you can pass the exit buoy which is located at the end of the course. The speed of the boat is increased every time they passed one Skier Buoy. The boats will pass the Boat Guide Buoys while pulling the skier. In the tournament if at the first round everybody finish the course without violation the tow line is shorten for an “x” number of length. So this will make give some difficulty as the match continues.

Slalom Water Skiing Course Diagram

Trick Water Skiing – It is one of the primary attractions of this sport because this is like Freestyle Snow Skiing where you can showcase your tricks while being pulled by the boat. But the gear you will be using here is different in Slalom or Ski Jump Water Skiing. This sport requires one or two very short finless skis. This type of Water Skiing requires good balance and athleticism. The judge will decide if how many points that a skier would get depending on the difficulty and success attempt of the trick.

Jump Water Skiing – In this type of Water Skiing, skier is given three jumps. He must reach the longest possible distance in order to win the match. Unlike Slalom Water Skiing the boat’s speed is constant. The skier will be pulled by the boat and when he reached the ramp which is 1.65 m. or 1.80m in height, he will release himself in the air. And will target the highest possible distance he can get. The highest standard speed that a skier can travel is 57kph for boys and 54kph for girls.