#Water ski race gear how to
#Water ski race gear professional

This allows them to glide over the water and spin or do other surface maneuvers.įor slalom and solo skis, water skis have two bindings, one in front of the other. Trick skis are more likely to have a subtle concavity or flat bottom. The concave surface is adept at ensuring maximum surface contact with the water, no matter what angle the ski is in relation to the surface. However, toward the edges, the concavity flattens out, allowing a flat surface for riding straight.įull concave skis are for experienced skiers who go fast and spray a fat rooster tail as they carve water. Tunnel concave bases curve inward toward the center, giving more contact area with the bottom of the ski while carving. They’re not made for sharp carving and fast riding. Like the keel of a boat, they help the ski stay upright and straight, making it easier for riders to keep their feet under them. The base of a water ski is important to consider for stability and ride quality.Ī V-shaped bottom is found on beginner skis. Here, we've taken a deeper dive to cover design specifics - the subtle tweaks manufactures make that can greatly effect performance, particularly for advanced skiers.

#Water ski race gear how to

In the beginning of this story, we shared an overview of basic considerations to take into account before shopping for water skis, including the different types of skis, what to look for based on your ability level, and how to figure out sizing.

#Water ski race gear professional

We based our final selections of water skis from reputable brands, including O'Brien, Rave Sports, and Connelly, as well as on customer and professional reviews. We carved through the wake on the ponds, used our experience with skiing, and researched for hours, scouring the best offerings in every category of water ski that are currently available. High-end, more expensive waterskis will consist of layers of graphite and/or carbon fiber, which can enhance ride quality and shock absorption. Today they’re composed of a variety of buoyant materials, including polyurethane foam, fiberglass, graphite and carbon fiber. Water skis have come a long way since the original wood planks of the 1920s. This is just a guide, as a several factors can influence the size you choose, including boat speed, whether you're buying combo skis or a slalom ski, and a skier's build. In general, riders 100 pounds or less do best with a ski that’s between 59 and 63 inches those in the 105-145 weight range may want to consider skis between 63 and 66 inches long riders from 150-190 pounds will likely do well with skis from 66 to 68 inches long and those 190 pounds and up typically need skis from 68 to 72 inches long, unless they’re wider and specifically designed for larger people. Most water skis for adults range from 59 to 72 inches long, except for trick skis, which are shorter. They’re made for stability under speed and maximum lift. Jump skis are specialized, longer wider planks, like their snow counterparts. On solo trick skis, the rear binding is canted at an angle, much like on a snowboard, to allow for better positioning during tricks. Trick skis also don’t have fins (more on that below). Sometimes these are sold in pairs, other times they’re sold as solo skis. They usually have a flatter bottom, allowing the rider to glide over the water whether going forward, backward or sideways. Trick waterskis are smaller, fatter, and rounder than other waterskis. They’re intended for intermediate to advanced water-skiers who like playing in the wake, going faster, carving, and maybe doing some small jumps or tricks. Slalom skis are sold as singles and have two bindings. This allows the ride transition from two skis to one as they get more comfortable waterskiing. Combo skis usually have one ski with two bindings and a second with a single binding. Trainers, which are typically offered for kids, are connected with stabilizer bars to help keep their feet together as they learn how to waterski. However, we also discuss more specialized types as well.īeginner water skiers will want combo or trainer waterskis. The majority of skis covered in this piece are combo, trainer and slalom skis, which are the most popular types of waterskis on the market. Larger, heavier riders should look for skis with a wide width. If you’re just getting into waterskiing or getting skis for family and friends, you’re going to want a set of combo or training skis. If you’re an advanced waterskier, you know if you need a trick, jump or slalom ski setup for going fast and carving hard. For more specifics on the anatomy of water skis, scroll down below our reviews for our explainer. Here, we’ll discuss the basics: skier ability, ski type, size, and materials. Since there’s a wide variety of water skis used for a range of specific purposes, there are a lot factors to consider before you buy.