Water-skiing is a popular sport in which a person wearing special skis is pulled over the water by a speeding motorboat. The skier holds on to a line attached to the boat. Millions of people throughout the world water-ski for recreation, and many compete in tournaments.
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Water skis are wider than skis used on snow. They are made of fiberglass or various kinds of wood and are available in many lengths. The skier’s feet fit into flexible bindings, which come off easily if the person falls, thus helping to prevent injury. A water-skier should always wear a life jacket for maximum safety.
The skier grasps a handle at one end of the towline, which measures about 75 feet (23 meters) long. The other end of the line is connected to the stern of the boat. A boat with a V-shaped hull is best for water-skiing because it pulls the skier on a straighter course than a flat-bottomed boat. The minimum speed for water-skiing is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) per hour. Experts are pulled at speeds of up to 36 miles (58 kilometers) per hour.
A water-skier starts from a dock or in the water. When the skier begins to move, the front end of the skis should be above the water. The person’s back should be straight, the arms held straight ahead, and the knees slightly bent. Water-skiing is easy to learn and requires only a good sense of balance.
In the United States, water-skiing tournaments are held by USA Water Ski and by water-skiing clubs. These tournaments include competition in jumping, slalom, and trick skiing. In jumping, the skiers soar off a ramp in the water. The longest jump wins. The slalom involves skiing as fast as possible around a series of buoys. In trick skiing, water-skiers are judged on how well they perform jumps, turns, and other difficult maneuvers.
