As the weather starts to warm up, lakes can quickly become crowded with boats taking advantage of water sports such as skiing. Skiing is a relatively simple sport that is accessible to most ages and requires little more than a basic instruction and practice to do. However, it requires gathering a few pieces of special equipment before getting out on the water to be successful and safe.
Water Skis
Water skis come in four main types, combination pairs, slalom skis, trick skis and jump skis. Which ski you use will depend on your skill level and what you plan to do on the water. In general, most skiers are going to use combination pairs as they are the easiest to get up on, suggest the experts at Dicks Sporting Goods. Slalom skis are reserved more for skiing on only one ski at higher speeds. Trick skis are made specifically for turns, jumps and other tricks on the water. Jump skis are specially designed for jumping off water ramps.
Pull Equipment
Quality pulling equipment that connects the skier to the boat is essential both for safety and quality of ride. The typical water ski rope should be 70 feet or 75 feet when including the handle. Ski ropes are typically made from water resistant materials, such as polypropylene, that also provide a small amount of stretch, but not so much that the rope become unstable. Water ski ropes should be rated for at least 800 lbs. or more.
Wetsuit
Wetsuits are an optional piece of water skiing equipment that plays a functional and comfort role in colder water. A wetsuit traps water between the fabric of the suit and your skin, creating insulation against the cold of the water outside of the wetsuit. Most wetsuits are made from neoprene that comes in varying thicknesses, with thicker suits being more suitable for colder waters.
Boat
A ski boat or other motorized water-craft is required to gain enough speed to get up on the ski in the water. Boats range in both quality and size, with some boats being specifically made for skiing with features like an inboard motor that can create a more flat wake, allowing skiers to easily cross it. Each boat is required to carry an orange flag that must be in the air whenever there is someone in the water that is not actively being towed. This helps signal other boaters to steer clear of the area to avoid hitting a hidden skier in the water.
Life Jacket
The U.S. Coast guard estimates that 90 percent of those who drown in boating and water accidents did so because they were not wearing a life jacket. In fact, almost every state now requires by law that persons being pulled by a watercraft wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Additionally, many states also require that there be at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket per person present in the boat, although those in the boat may not be required to wear it.
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