How to choose the right water ski

Water skiing is perfect for those people who are into alpine skiing, snowboarding or just looking for a new sensation.

For this kind of sport, neither strong winds nor high waves are needed. That is why you can water skiing almost everywhere. All you need is a deep and wide body of water, a boat or a powerful boat, and of course skis.

Basically, water skiing tournaments are held in three types: ski jumping, freestyle or figure skating and slalom. During various major competitions, a careful record of the use of equipment from various companies by the most powerful water skiers necessarily takes place. Competition winners are often used to advertise the products they train on. Also, some popular companies, before important championships, sign contracts with the strongest athletes to develop new models of water skiing.

First you need to decide for what level of skiing you need water skiing. By the way, everything here is similar to ordinary skis. It doesn't make any sense for a beginner to choose professional equipment. It also costs much more, and an athlete will be able to appreciate all its advantages very slowly, if at all, for example, before a breakdown.

Simple recreational water skis cost in the range from $ 150 to $ 300, and professional skis are much more expensive - from $ 500 to $ 1,500, while skis are even more expensive.

There are various forms of water skiing:

The classic shape is the straight shape of the ski, while there is a small longitudinal groove to facilitate sliding on the lower surface.

Skis with a wider nose. This makes it possible to conveniently start moving not only, for example, from the pier, but even from under the water. And the radial side cuts help to make a smooth turn, while saving your strength. These skis are made from fiberglass coated with an aluminum alloy. This extends the durability of the skis. Having got used to the wide-nosed shape, it will not be difficult for you to get on ordinary water skis.

There is one thing all skis have in common - one of them will definitely have an additional loop, so a regular ski can easily turn into a monoski.

For not very athletic people, a ski model is recommended, flared not only in the toe, but also at the end. It is more resilient (due to its larger surface) and also tolerant of errors.

All skis, regardless of their type, have a keel system, usually made of aluminum or high-strength plastic, which helps when cornering.

All manufacturers, especially for children, produce special skis fastened together, so that the legs do not disperse from habit. The stabilizing bar can then be removed.

Some companies produce shortened skis, the size of which is slightly larger than the legs of a tall man. This is done solely for entertainment, because they are very pleasant to ride. And if you are no longer a beginner and have reached the category of amateurs, then you will receive a new, and with all this, incomparable pleasure.

Monoski should be chosen according to the same criteria as regular skis. Indeed, in fact, from ordinary water skis, in addition to the width and comfortable leg mounts for the second leg, the monoski is practically no different. For beginners, it is advised to choose wider ones. On the market today for professionals, there is now an excellent selection of monoski slalom. Typically, these are graphite-composite skis, which have a superior aluminum adjustable keel system that is faster and more stable. The cost of monoski ranges from 200 to 800 USD.

In addition, there are special curly skis (they are wide with rounded noses) made of carbon fiber with pointed ends. This is what makes them more sensitive and gives them less resistance.

Jumping skis are made of very lightweight but very durable materials. Moreover, they have a wide rectangular shape and low weight.

There is a type of ski that is ideal for snowboarders - wakeboard. On it, a snowboarder can perform various jumps, turns, in other words, all those things that he did on snowy mountain slopes. Those people who do not have sufficient physical training and do not particularly like to ride snowboards should not worry, because this type of water skiing is not for them. A quite reasonable question arises, what is the difference between a wakeboard and a monoski? The answer is very simple. On a monoski, athletes' legs are located one after another (while the first can be any leg, both left and right), and as for the wakeboard, then on it the legs should be parallel to each other and always perpendicular to the board. For large men, wakeboards of large sizes with tapered noses and smooth edges will be just right. This will make the splash down after the jumps smoother. As for the female models, like the male ones, they have a concave shape, but smoother edges.

Shortened models with rounded ends exist for a variety of tricks. However, they will require high skill from you. Wakeboards have keels, just like skis, one is enough for professionals, but for beginners, three are required. For professionals, wakeboards with narrower and more resilient fiberglass keels than carbon fiber keels are suitable. The prices for wakeboards depend only on your wishes and taste - from 300 to 1000 USD.

There is also a type of ski called kneeboard. The design of this ski is such that you can only ride it while sitting on your knees. Kneeboards come in both single and double lanyards. For beginners, it is better to choose a board with a convex bottom, which reduces drag and promotes a softer water landing when jumping), while having a thin profile and good buoyancy. This allows beginner athletes to easily turn, jump and spin during their first sessions. The price for a similar kneeboard is from 200 to 500 cu, depending on the material and type.

It should be noted that on ordinary recreational skis a person can accelerate from 20 to 60 km / h, slalom - from 40 to 58 km / h. On wakeboard and figure skis - from 25 to 30 km / h. However, speed for water skiing is not the most important thing, but still, if you plan to conquer just speed, then it is better to choose those options that are designed just for high-speed movement.

Choosing a pair of water skis depending on your weight, you should remember that it will be difficult for a small child to manage huge skis, and it will be difficult for a healthy man not to drown on teenage skis. It should be noted that recommendations for choosing skis based on their own weight may vary depending on the manufacturer or on the ski model. However, in the table we have formulated some general trends.

If your weight is on the border of sizes and you are not sure which to choose, then it is better to take the larger size.

Speaking of the materials from which water skis are made, it should be noted that they are also diverse. In ordinary recreational skiing, to reduce the cost, manufacturers use so-called "sandwiches" made of wood, foam and wood, or polyurethane-foam-polyurethane, or the ubiquitous plastic. However, more advanced athletes prefer fiberglass or carbon fiber, and in the form of an inner liner - aluminum "honeycomb".

Certainly professional skis are more durable and, at the same time, they are able to withstand even the most extreme exercises.It should be noted that they weigh significantly more than the usual lightweight walking options.

Nevertheless, professionals will choose the original cropped water skis, which have complex shapes, or simply ratite short curly skis.

Among the large number of types of water skiing for beginners, pair water skiing (they are often called "walking") will be optimal. After all, they are the most simple, convenient and, perhaps, what is most important for beginners, they are stable. The shape of these skis resembles regular winter skis with a similarly curved front end. Although there are certainly significant differences. For example, water skis have a keel at the rear for better handling and are much wider. To hold the skis together, some paired skis have a stabilizing link bar in front of the bindings. This bar is easily removed when the skier improves his skills.

Usually, paired skis are equipped with adjustable mounts, it is they that allow you to adjust the skis to any foot size of an athlete or an amateur. Also, on one of the skis, a rear attachment loop is placed. From this it follows that one pair of skis can be used by skiers of completely different levels of skiing - both beginners who first got on water skis, and water skiers of the most advanced level, who even have already dropped one ski (while putting their free leg in the rear mount) and ride at even higher speed and with even sharper turns.

Accumulating experience and skill, you will get acquainted with pair skis, and you will also be able to turn your attention to some other types of water skiing - slalom, jump (springboard) and curly water skiing.

As for slalom skis, this is already a monoski, which has a special shape with more rigid bindings for both feet. Thanks to this, it is possible to make sharper turns and gain speed faster.

Connelly Prophecy 68 Slalom Jetski - Enzo W / RTP L

Speaking of the figure ski, it should be noted that it is designed for figure and trick skating, while being very short and maneuverable.

Jumping skis for a springboard are longer and more massive - you can "fly away" on them for 70 meters.

Of course, the color of the skis can be an important point when choosing, because, perhaps, the most important thing is to enjoy your water skis, on which you cross the water surface, while enjoying the sun, summer and, of course, speed.

Currently, among a very wide selection of water skis, which have both different models and sizes, you still need to turn your attention to what equipment the strongest water skiers use. Despite the abundance of water skiing options, they all have one thing in common. This is that an ordinary ski simply turns into a monoski, because on one of the skis there is always an additional loop. If you have already decided to go in for water skiing, then it is better to choose skis that are extended to the sock, because such skis will help you as a beginner in this sport. On skis with a wide nose, it will be much easier for you to start, and thanks to the lateral radial cuts on the skis, you will make the turn more smoothly. In this case, you do not need to apply additional efforts. There are also models of water skis that are made especially for ladies. These skis are stable and help to deal with some bugs by having a flared shape at the tip and tip of the ski, along with a wide surface. Skiing on such skis will bring you great pleasure.

It is important to emphasize that all skis, regardless of type, have a keel system. It is usually made of durable plastic or aluminum and helps when cornering. For children, there are special ski options fastened together. During the ride, their legs will not part.

Do not forget that besides the ski and the boat, there are some other things to remember.

Among them, the halyard is what you hold on to, i.e. handle with rope. They can be of different lengths, different handles (for use with or without gloves), and of course for different types of skis.

You should also remember about gloves. They come with a full toe or no toes.

Another important thing is wetsuits. They are semi-dry and wet, as well as short and long.

One of the most important pieces of equipment are life jackets. This is especially important for novice athletes if their life is dear to them.

Finally, we should mention the boots. When purchasing, it is very important to pay attention to how they provide heel and ankle support. Indeed, in the future, due to incorrectly chosen shoes, you may have to consult a doctor.

Undoubtedly, sports are very cool, but sometimes you just want to have fun. Those who cannot live without extreme can choose for themselves one of two options for "water skiing". Very popular in Western countries, riding on bare heels and parasailing behind a boat ("parasail"). You will be provided with bright and indelible feelings.