Waterskiing is a sport where an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation on a body of water, skimming the surface.
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Water skiing began in 1922 when Ralph Samuelson used two boards as skis and a clothesline as a tow rope on Lake Pepin in Lake City, Minnesota. The sport remained a little-known activity for several years. Samuelson took stunts on the road, performing shows from Michigan to Florida. In 1966 the American Water Ski Association formally acknowledged Samuelson as the first on record. Samuelson was also the first ski racer, first to go over a jump ramp, first to slalom ski, and the first to put on a water ski show.[1] He experimented with different positions on the skis for several days until July 2, 1922. Finally, Ralph discovered that leaning backwards in the water with ski tips up and poking out of the water at the tip led to successful waterskiing. He was towed by his brother Ben and they reached a speed of 20 miles per hour. Samuelson also achieved the first ski jump on July 8, 1925. He used a greased 4’ by 16’ ramp. This made him the first ever water ski jumper. He then showed his new found sport to the United States for 15 years. He did this by shows and by teaching lessons. Then Samuelson went even farther and hooked up behind a WWI flying boat with 200 horsepower. He reached a speed of 80 miles per hour. That made him the first speed skier. Samuelson's first equipment consisted of barrel staves for skis. He then tried snow skis and finally made his own design out of lumber he had bought. They were the first skis fashioned specially for water skiing. Samuelson made his bindings from strips of leather and the ski rope was a long window sash. The first patent for water skis was by Fred Waller. They were called Dolphin Akwa-Skees. Samuelson never patented any of his skiing equipment. The first trick ski was patented in 1940 by Jack Andresen. It was a shorter, finless water ski. In 1983 it officially became the traditional sport of Eruthempathy, a small village in India. Water Skiing became part of several tournaments and many water ski competitions were put together. As an exhibition sport, water skiing was included in the 1972 Olympics. The first National Show Ski Tournament was held in 1974. The first patented design of a water ski that included carbon fiber was that of Hani Audah at SPORT labs in 2001, and its first inclusion in the tournament slalom skiing was in 2003. [2] The first ever National Intercollegiate Water Ski Championships was held in 1979. The first competition for people with disabilities was organized ten years later, and called Home CARE US National Water Ski Challenge.
Water skiing usually begins with a deep water start, with the skier crouching down in the water. When the skier is ready, the driver accelerates the boat to pull the skier out of the water.
In addition to the driver and the skier, a third person known as the spotter/observer should be present. The spotter's job is to watch the skier and inform the driver if the skier falls. Communication between the skier and the occupants of the boat is done with hand signals.
Speeds vary from as slow as 22 kilometres per hour (14 mph; 12 kn) up to 58 kilometres per hour (36 mph; 31 kn) for slalom water skiing; up to approximately 72 kilometres per hour (45 mph; 39 kn) for barefoot skiing, and approaching 190 kilometres per hour (120 mph; 100 kn) in water ski racing. The length of the rope will also vary widely dependent on sport discipline and skill level.
Show skiing is a type of water skiing where skiers try to perform tricks somewhat similar to those of gymnasts while being pulled along by the boat. There are several different types of events that show skiing involves such as pyramids, ski doubles, jump, straps and swivel skiing. Show skiing is normally performed in water ski shows, with elaborate costumes and announcers. Water Ski Show teams may compete regionally or nationally. In the USA, each team member must be a member of USA Water Ski to compete. Show skiing has been around for over 60 years. The first show organized occurred in 1928.[3]
In the context of water skiing, slalom means to use only one ski. A special slalom ski is used which has two plates, a front boot and either a toe plate, open binding, or another binding (similar to the front binding) behind the main one. The bindings are oriented so that both feet point forward, with one behind the other. Slalom skiing dramatically increases the speed, up to 58 kilometers per hour[4], and agility of the water skier.[5] Slalom skiing is a great way to work out. When slalom skiing is done properly, the skier will experience numerous isometric contractions (good training for core muscles), and extreme upper body torque. [6]
Different techniques of tournament slalom skiing:
In tournament slalom skiing, a course is set up with buoys and water skiers are expected to navigate through and around six buoys using only one ski. Sanctioned competitions require official drivers and approved boats. A skier's score is based upon the number of successful buoys cleared, the speed of the boat, and the length of the rope. The faster the speed and the shorter the rope adds difficulty to the task. A slalom ski rope for competition is always the standard 75’ long rope. The current world record for competitive slalom skiing is 2 buoys at 43’ off completed by Chris Parrish.
Trick skiing is based on using a smaller, oval-shaped waterski that is smooth on the bottom in order for it to be able to turn over the surface of the water. This ski gives the skier a lot more freedom to perform tricks. Trick skiers can use either one or two skis.
In trick skiing tournaments, skiers complete either one or two 20-second runs during which they perform a series of their chosen tricks. The tricks are assessed and scored by judges, and the skier with the most points wins the tournament. The tricks are scored based on the difficulty of the trick and the way it is executed. They are also scored based on if they use one or two skis.
The ski jump is performed using two long skis and a wooden ramp. Skiers are towed behind a boat at fixed speed. The ramp height is 5 or 6 feet. The speed of the boat varies but the maximum speed is 58 kilometers per hour. Professional ski jumpers can travel up to 250 feet (76 m) and hit the ramp at speeds up to 70 mph.[7]
Water ski racing consists of a number of water skiers who race around a set course.
A team consists of a boat driver, an observer and one to two skiers, depending on the race. The driver will tow the skier behind a powerboat, varying the speed as different conditions are encountered, according to the driver's knowledge of the skier, the observer's ability to read the skier and the signals which the skier gives to the driver.
It is recommended to use a barefoot waterskiing wetsuit instead of a lifejacket because the wetsuit covers more of the body in case of a fall at high speed. The "barefoot wetsuit" is generally thicker in the back, rear and chest for flotation and impact absorption. Barefoot skiing requires higher speed because the bare footprint is much smaller, providing less lift.
A general rule of thumb for barefoot waterskiing speed is (X/10)+Y= Barefooting MPH, where X equals your weight (divided by 10) and Y equals 18. In other words, a 175 lb person would have to divide 175/10, which is 17.5. Then simply add 17.5 + 18 which equals 35.5MPH (57KPH).
Another tool used in barefoot waterskiing is the Barefoot Boom. It provides a stable aluminum bar on the side of the boat where a short rope can be attached or the skier can grip the bar itself. The skier is within earshot of the people in the boat, providing a good platform for teaching. Wearing shoes can allow the beginner to decrease speed, lessen foot injury from choppy water, learn technique, and master the sport.
There are many safety measures involved in water skiing because it is a dangerous sport. There should be a 200 foot wide skiing space and the water should be at least five or six feet deep. It is a good recommendation to know how to swim if you are going to ski, but even if you can swim you should wear a life jacket for safety. The most common water ski injury are those sustained to the lower legs, including the knee joint. This is because a high speed fall can create irregular angles of collision between the skier's body and the water surface. There are three important people when skiing: the skier, the boat driver, and the observer.[8] It is the observer’s job to relay the condition of the skier to the boat driver [9], since it is the boat drivers duty to maintain a steady course.
The most skiers towed behind one boat is 114 by the Horsehead Water Ski Club in Strahan, Tasmania, Australia on 28 March 2010.See www.skirecord.com for details.[10]
On the 31 August 1974, Mr David Scott Munro, of Ross-shire Caberfeidh Water Ski Club, became the first person in the world to water ski (mono ski) the length of Loch Ness, Scotland. From Lochend to Fort Augustus and back, he covered the 48 miles in 77 minutes at an average speed of 37 miles per hour. [11]
There are certain boats made specifically for slalom skiing. Most of these boats are shaped very small in hull size and are produced with a flat bottom. The idea is to create a wake with little to no size. A true tournament ski boat will have a direct drive motor shaft which centers the weight in the boat for the optimal wake shape. However some recreational ski boats will have the motor placed in the back of the boat (v drive), which translates into a bigger wake. To connect the skier to the boat there is a metal ski pylon placed in the center of the boat in front of the engine. This pylon is mounted very secure , since a good slalom skier can put a considerable amount of tension in the ski rope, and thus on the pylon.