Water skiing
A surface water sport involving towing a skier behind a boat.
Water skiing is a sport where a person glides across the water’s surface on one or two skis while being towed by a boat or a cable system. To take part, you need a suitable stretch of water, skis, a boat with a tow rope, at least two or three people (depending on local laws), and a life jacket. The skier also needs solid upper and lower body strength, good endurance, and a strong sense of balance.
People water ski all over the world—in Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. In the United States alone, about 11 million people participate, and there are more than 900 official competitions each year. Australia has around 1.3 million water skiers. Whether for fun or competition, skiers can choose from several styles: speed skiing, trick skiing, show skiing, slaloming, jumping, barefoot skiing, and wakeski. Related activities include wakeboarding, kneeboarding, discing, tubing, and sit-down hydrofoil.
**Basic technique**
Skiers can start either from the water (the most common method) or from dry land (recommended only for experts). In a deep-water start, the skier enters the water with skis on or puts them on while floating. Once ready, they grab the tow rope—positioning it between two skis, or to the left if using one ski with the right foot forward, or to the right if the left foot is forward. The skier then crouches in a cannonball position, legs tucked to the chest, skis pointing upward with about 30 centimeters of ski out of the water. When the skier signals (often by yelling “in gear” then “hit it”), the driver accelerates. As the boat pulls the rope tight, the skier uses muscle strength to rise into an upright stance. Leaning back with slightly bent legs helps the skis plane, allowing the skier to glide. Turning is done by shifting weight left or right. Body weight should be balanced between the balls of the feet and the heels. Arms should be relaxed but fully extended to reduce strain, and the handle can be held vertically or horizontally, whichever feels comfortable.
A third person, called a spotter or observer, must be in the boat. Their job is to watch the skier and tell the driver if the skier falls. The spotter usually sits facing backward. The skier and boat occupants communicate with hand signals.
**Equipment**
**Water:** Skiing can happen on rivers, lakes, or oceans, but calm water is best. The area should be at least 60 meters w
- field
- Surface water sport
- known_for
- Being towed behind a boat or cable ski installation while skimming water on skis
- participants_global
- Around the world, including Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas
- participants_united_states
- Approximately 11 million water skiers
- competitions_united_states
- Over 900 sanctioned water ski competitions every year
- participants_australia
- 1.3 million water skiers
Quick Facts
- Union
- International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation
- Firstlabel
- First performed
- First
- 1922, United States
- Contact
- No
- Category
- Aquatic
- Equipment
- Water skis · motorboat · towline
- Venue
- Body of water
- Olympic
- Demonstration sport, 1972 Summer Olympics
- Iwga
- 1981–2022
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Water skiing typically begins with a deep-water start, where the skier crouches in the water holding the ski rope, with skis pointing toward the sky. The driver accelerates the boat, and the skier uses muscle strength to rise into an upright position. A dry start from shore or a pier is recommended only for professionals. The skier turns by shifting weight left or right, keeping arms relaxed but extended, and the handle can be held vertically or horizontally. A third person, the spotter, watches the skier and informs the driver if the skier falls.
Reader's Guide
Water skiing has evolved from wooden barrels and snow skis to modern composites of thermoplastics, aluminum, Kevlar, and carbon fiber, making skis strong, lightweight, and flexible. Classic skis are approximately 1.7 meters long and 15 centimeters wide, with a stabilizing fin and rubber foot bindings. Trick skis are shorter and lack fins for spins. Competition towboats have small hulls and flat bottoms to minimize wake, with direct drive motor shafts for optimal wake shape. Speeds vary widely, from 21–26 km/h for a child on two skis to 58 km/h for an adult on one ski, and up to 190 km/h in water ski racing. Safety requires a 200-foot-wide skiing space, water at least 5 to 6 feet deep, and the towboat staying at least 100 feet from docks and other boats. Skiers should wear a life jacket regardless of swimming ability.
Did You Know?
- The first man-made ski lake was built in Barstow, California, by Jack Horton in 1969.
- Children's skis are usually 110–150 centimeters long and sometimes come with a handle to help balance.
- Barefoot skiing requires speeds of approximately 72 km/h (45 mph).
- The spotter sits in a chair on the boat facing backwards to watch the skier.
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