Archive for the ‘Water Sports’ Category

In the 1980s Florida Panhandle, near cities like Panama City and Fort Walton Beach, there were several distinct water sports, such as, surfing, water skiing, skimboarding, and wakeboarding. When the Gulf was flat, as it often is, surfers joined the others behind boats, but preferred to hop up on their ocean boards managing to ride well enough that they could toss the rope. It didn’t take long to recognize that smaller surf boards performed better, and that the more people you piled into the boat, the better the wake.

A local skimboard manufacturer, Madden Aqua Planks, had just begun building boards with foam instead of wood, and light bulbs went off in skimboarder’s heads. Skimboards were now much like mini-surfboards, with no fins, less rocker, and edges designed to work on small waves—like a boat’s wake. After a few requests, Madden began shaping boards specifically for “boat surfing” and that is just one of the numerous organic origins of wakesurfing.

Since those early days, much has changed and wakesurfing is a fully evolved sport with various manufacturers building boards, boats, and boat components specifically for wakesurfing. The freedom and flexibility of wakesurfing, together with the relatively low-speed, make it tremendous fun without pain and injury.

Are you ready to give it a shot? Here are a few tools you will need:

• A Board: Yes, you can ride just about anything on a wake. Talented folks even manage to stand on wakeboards, but you will receive the greatest satisfaction out of a Wakesurf board. Wakesurf boards are essentially a hybrid, larger than skimboards, smaller than surfboards, with foam cores, short fins, and a shape designed to help maintain speed while allowing for quick movements. Larger riders, and novices, will prefer longer boards, but the more tricks you learn; the shorter you will want your board.
• An Inboard Boat: A ski/wakeboard boat is necessary if you truly want to pursue this sport. Several boat makers build boats with hulls designed to increase the size, and smoothness of the wake in an effort to maximize the trick potential for all tow sports. Manufacturers have added wedges, plates, and various hydrofoil components to these boats to optimize the wake size and shape, for wakesurfing you want the stern deep in the water in addition to adding extra weight (ballast) to the surfer’s preferred side.
• Friends! One to drive the boat of course, at least one with a GoPro to film your wipeouts, and absent a proper ballast system, you can actually use your friends to weigh the back corner of the boat. You also need a friend to mind the rope when you toss it, and riders prefer shorter ropes for safety, so the typical rope used for wakeboarding is too long. 

Now that you have the basics, it is time to get out on the water! With summer just around the corner, make sure your boat is in tiptop shape with help from Performance Product Technologies. For high quality marine products and expert technical advice, please contact us today. Also, check out our YouTube channel for a detailed look at some typical maintenance issues and follow us @Mercruiserparts for all the latest news.

Preparations are already well underway for the next Summer Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio. The athletes are training, the facilities are being built. Even the opening and closing ceremonies are being planned and rehearsed.

However, the 2020 Olympic games, which will be held in Tokyo are still being negotiated, and the International Olympic Committee has agreed to consider the addition of new events, and in general terms to consider shifting to a more event-based focus than a sports-based focus.

A wakeboard event is on the docket to be discussed for the 2020 Olympics. The recent success of the addition of snowboarding events to the Winter Olympics make the idea of adding wakeboard events to the Olympics an appealing prospect.

The International Waterski and Wakeboard Foundation made a full presentation to the International Olympic Committee, and according to the Wake Wind and Surf article, “IWWF Welcomes Olympic Agenda 2020,” the proposal was very well received,

Attending the IOC Monaco Session, IWWF President Kuno Ritschard stated – “IOC President Thomas Bach deserves our congratulations and has certainly opened the door for sports which can attract substantial new youth focused audiences to the Olympic Games. We know that the inclusion of Wakeboard would show the world exactly how the IOC is capable of quickly adapting to global trends.”

Wakeboard professionals, hobbyists and fans will all wait expectantly to see what the future holds for competitive wakeboarding, and its potential Olympic inclusion.

When you are looking for quality parts and technical advice for your boat or trailer, please contact us.

Water skiing is a fun recreational summer activity enjoyed by millions of people each year. It involves the use of two skis (one worn on each foot) while being pulled by a boat or high-powered jet ski. The skier leans back in the water, at which point the “tug” from the boat pulls them upright. Assuming the skier has adequate upper-body strength and balance and knows the ropes of skiing, he or she should be able to maintain their stability while the boat pulls them across the water.

Most people assume this sport is safe, with little-to-no risk of injury, but there have been numerous documented reports of injuries – both minor and severe – involving water skiing. By following some simple precautions, however, you can safely enjoy this sport without placing yourself at risk for injury.

Look Forward

Although it’s tempting to look back and watch the skier, the boat operator should keep his or her eyes focused forward. A second person on board the boat should be designated with the task of watching the skier. If the skier falls off, this person should let the boat operator know immediately, so they can turn around to retrieve the fallen skier.

Keep Your Distance

A good rule of thumb is to maintain a minimum of 200 feet clearance of skiing space (wide). This allows the skier to move around without fear of hitting an object. The boat operator should constantly be scanning the horizon, looking for rocks, tree stumps, other boats, swimmers, and debris in the water.

In addition to maintaining 200 feet of skiing space, the boat operator should keep a minimum of 100 feet of water between the skier and docks, swim areas, shore and other boats.

Wear a Life Jacket

Regardless of whether or not a skier knows how to swim, he or she should always wear a personal flotation device (PFD). There are PFDs made specifically for the sport of water skiing. These flotation devices allow greater freedom of body movement while still offering the flotation necessary to prevent a skier from drowning.

Fly an Orange Flag

How does this prevent water skiing-related injuries? By flying an orange flag on your boat, you’ll alert other boaters and swimmers to the presence of a skier nearby. It’s an unofficial means of telling people that you have a skier attached to their boat, so hopefully they’ll use more caution when steering and maneuvering around your watercraft.

While most people are familiar with water sports like wakeboarding and wakesurfing, a relatively new sport that’s edging its way into mainstream use is wakeskating. What makes this sport unique is the fact that the rider is not secured to his or her board. This allows for greater freedom and control over maneuvers, but it also adds another level of difficulty.

What Is Wakeskating?

Wakekating is performed using a board similar in design to a wakeboard (usually made of maple or fiberglass). The rider plants his or her feet on the board and performs various tricks while being towed by a personal water craft. Depending on the boat, water conditions, and weight of the rider, a typical wakestater will achieve speeds between 10-20 miles per hour.

While wakeskating has just recently gained mainstream popularity, the sport has actually been around since the late 1970s. The earliest examples of the sport featured riders on long surfboard-like boards that were pulled by boats. Wakeskating didn’t receive any major notoriety until the 1990s, when young thrill-seekers began performing it in lakes and ponds throughout the U.S.

Performing wakeskating tricks is inherit more difficult than wakeboarding or wakesurfing due to the fact that the rider is not bound to his or her board. Some of the different tricks performed by wakeskaters includes lip tricks, flat tricks, inside-out, wake-to-wake, and re-entry.

 Wakeskating Tips:

If you’re serious about the sport, invest in a pair of wakeskating shoes (yes, they make shoes for wakeskating). These shoes are designed with special quick-drying materials that prevent water from pooling up inside. DVS was the first company to create a pair of wakeskating shoes in 2004, but there are several other brands available today.
If you aren’t going to wear shoes, make sure your board has griptape attached to the top; otherwise, you may struggle to maintain control.
Perform land-based exercises that improve your balance and stability, such as front planks, side planks, bicycle crunches, leg raises, dumbbell lunges, dumbbell squats, etc.
Lean your body back so your feet are naturally pushing forward.
Don’t move your back foot once it’s planted on the board. Your back foot is essentially what controls your direction and balance, and moving it can throw you off course.
Experience in snowboarding and/or skateboarding will drastically improve your proficiency in wakeskating.
Plant your feet down on the board when attempting to ride over a wake.

Water skiing is a classic American surface water sport that’s enjoyed by thousands of people each year. There’s just something fun and exciting associated with thefeeling of gliding over the water using nothing more than a set of skis. Like many other sports, though, there’s a rich background and history to water skiing that most people are unaware of.

The World Record For the Most Water Skiers Towed By a Single Boat is 145

It’s pretty impressive when two or more water skiers are towed by the same boat, but Tasmania’s Horsehead Water Ski Resort took took this to a whole new level by towing a record-setting 145 skiers in 2010. The previous world record was just 100 skiers, set 24 years prior. The boat used in this record-setting event was a 3,000-horsepower World Heritage Cruises’ catamaran Eagle.

Water Skiing Was Invented In 1922

Ralph Samuelson of Lake City, Minnesota is credited with inventing the sport of water skiing. In 1922, Samuelson attached a set of makeshift skis to his feet (constructed of boards) and held on to a clothesline as a boat pulled hum. He discovered that shifting his body weight to the rear with his makeshift skis pointed up resulted in a stable, balanced formation, and thus began the sport of water skiing.

Safety Requires a Minimum of Two People In The Tow Boat

A boat should only tow a water skier if there are at least two people inside it – the captain and one other passenger. The captain must observe his or her surroundings, while the second passenger is responsible for observing the water skier. Operating a tow boat without a passenger watching over the water skier is a serious mistake that greatly increases the risk of an accident-related injury.

Water Skiing Tournaments Consists of 3 Main Events

Practically all major water skiing tournaments are centered around 3 main events: slalom, jumping, and trick riding. In slalom, skiers must maneuver around a series of staggered buoys without hitting them. In humping, skiers are pulled from an angle over a large ramp, at which point they must thrust themselves into the air. In trick riding, skiers are given the freedom to perform their own twists, turns, flip and tricks in hopes of capturing the judges’ attention.

Water Skiing Is an Olympic Sport

Water skiing was added as an Olympic sport in 1972, drawing even more recognition and authenticity to it. Following its success in the Olympics, snow skiing was subsequently added just two years later in 1974

Water skiing is a fun and rewarding surface water sport that requires a combination of upper body strength, lower body strength, flexibility, balance, and muscle endurance. Experienced water skiers gracefully glide over the water’s surface while performing various tricks, leading many people to believe the sport is easy. Upon gearing up in a pair of skis and holding the rope for the first time, however, you’ll quickly realize it’s anything but easy.

Standing Up

Standing up is often viewed as one of the most difficult steps in water skiing, but if you can’t step up, you won’t be able to participate in the sport. If you’re struggling to gain your footing, we have some advice that will help.

There are two different ways to stand up when water skiing: a shallow water start, or a deep water start. A shallow water start is characterized by the skier standing in shallow water (hence the name), whereas a deep water start is characterized by the skier floating on his or her back in deep water. Since shallow water allows you to maintain the correct posture before the boat begins pulling, it’s the recommended starting method for beginners.

The Initial ‘Tug’

When you’re ready to be pulled, give the boat driver a thumbs up while quickly moving your signaling hand back to the rope. The first tug throws many people off balance, so maintaining your posture during this stage is crucial to your success.

During the initial tug, bend your knees so they are pressed against your chest and lean your body back. As the boat gains speed, there will be less and less slack in the rope. Maintain this position and try to keep your knees fixated at a 70-degree angle.

Keep Your Skis Parallel and Shoulder-Width Apart

From the moment you are about to stand up (or if you’re already standing up using the shallow water method), your skis should be roughly shoulder-width apart and almost completely parallel to one another. Another good rule of thumb to follow is to keep at least 6-12 inches of skis above water.

Other Skiing Tips For Beginners:

Avoid looking down or off to the sides. Your eyes, and head, should be focused on the boat as it pulls you.

Use hand signals to let the boat driver know if you want to go faster or slower (thumbs up and thumbs down works well).

Push your feet forward when the boat is gaining speed.

If, or should I say when, you fall, let go of the rope.

Always wear a personal flotation device when water skiing.

Keep your arms extended straight out with a slight bend in the elbows.

Wakeboarding and wake surfing are two highly popular surface water sports that focus on riding waves and boat wakes while performing various tricks. Each summer, tens of thousands of thrill-seekers from across the country hit the water to participate in these sports. The endless freedom of movement and beautiful scenery these sports offer are just a few of the many reasons why so many people participate in it.

Based on their name alone, you might assume wakeboarding and wake surfing refer to the same sport. While they share some similarities, they are two different sports with their own unique characteristics.

The Board

Le’ts first talk about one of the most important elements of any surface water sport: the board. Wake surf boards are typically longer with more a surfboard-like design (hence the sport’s name). The average length of a wake surf board is 4-5 feet. Alfonso Corona was awarded with the first “wake surf board” patent in 1997, although the sport has been around since the 1950s and 60s.

Wakeboards are generally constructed with a buyout center and fiberglass coating for a superior level of performance on the water. Fins are often interchangeable, allowing the user to tailor their board to their ride style.

The Technique

The primary difference between wakeboarding and wake surfing lies in the technique. In wakeboarding, the user holds a boat-towed rope throughout the duration of the ride. This is in stark contrast to wake surfing where the user releases the rope to ride out a wake. When a wake surfer approaches a large wake, he or she will drop the line to ride the peak in a similar fashion as surfing (hence the name, wake surfing). Granted, some wake surfers will hold the rope through multiple wakes, but this reduces the rider’s speed and agility.

Boats used in wakeboarding are typically more complex, featuring large “wake towers” made of stainless steel and aluminum piping. The purpose of these towers is to raise the rope’s pull point 6-7 feet higher than the surface of the water. This allows for greater maneuverability when performing in-air tricks. Ski boats and even jet skis are often used to tow wake surfers. People who are serious about the sport of wake surfing weigh their boats down with cinder blocks, water, metal and other heavy objects to create larger wakes. These larger wakes promote bigger, more exciting jumps for the rider. Wakesurfing requires an inboard boat where the propeller is under the boat. For obvious reason being so close to the back of the boat/propeller the typical sterndrive is not safe for surfing whereas it is for wakeboarding. Wakesurfing requires an inboard boat where the propeller is under the boat. For obvious reason being so close to the back of the boat/propeller the typical sterndrive is not safe for surfing whereas it is for wakeboarding.
Wakesurfing is becoming the sport of choice not only for the younger crowd but also the 40+ age group. We sold a Tige wakeboard/surf boat a couple of years ago to a customer that shot a video of them making a peanut butter sandwich while surfing. It offers the luxury of allowing the rider to be as laid back or aggressive as they choose. I guess it depends on your personal preference.

So, which surface water sport is the best? Wakeboarding and wake surfing are two exhilarating sports with their own unique advantages and disadvantages that people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy. I recommend trying them both to determine which one is right for you.

When buying water skis, it can be confusing when you don’t understand the differences in the various types of skis. In most cases, water skis differ as to how they’re used.

For example, are you buying your skis to do tricks, compete or for just recreational purposes. Before investing in skis, it helps to study the four main types of skis and what they offer.

Combination Skis

The most common type is a combination ski. These water skis are popular because they’re the simplest ones to use. Typically used by new skiers, combination skis are ideal for learning how to ski.

Because the’re wide, they’re more stable than other skis, so novice skiers can have an easier time using them on the water. Combination skies are also versatile, meaning that several skiers in the same family can share them.

Trick Skies

Trick skies which are wide and short, look like little snowboards. Because they’re made for a wide range of motion, skiers can do spins on them. These skies are known for their ability to maneuver behind boats. They have a smooth bottom, unlike other skies. This feature helps in making and in sliding across the water.

Slalom Skis

Only experienced skiers, who know how to ski on rough water, should use shalom skies. If you’re uncomfortable skiing at high speeds, don’t buy these skis. Rather than two skis, slalom consist of only one ski. They contain a binding for just a single foot. There’s also a smaller grip at the back of the ski for a skier’s other foot.

You need to have exceptional balance to use this type of ski. Its thin width lets you ski at a faster speed so that you can slice through the water.

Jump Skis

Although these skis are strong, they have flat bottoms, letting a skier run up ramps. Their solid construction and broad base make it easier to land on water. If you’re not an expert skier, don’t buy jump skis.

Most importantly, you should choose the Water Ski that is best suited for your level of skiing experience. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Summertime is synonymous with adventure, and water sports of all varieties not only provide that thrill, but also offer a perfect solution to the heat. While there are many water sports that entertain, wakesurfing is one of the most invigorating.

While not as widely known as water skiing, wakesurfing is becoming more popular every year. In fact, more and more water sports enthusiasts are adding wakesurfing to their repertoires each day. In order to take an educated plunge, however, you should first consider a bit about wakesurfing’s past and present.

Not surprisingly, wakesurfing’s history stems from avid surfers who decided to ride their old boards while tied behind boats. It didn’t take long for these athletes though to realize that the surfboard designed for the open ocean was not the best for this unique use; as a result, early wakesurfers took it upon themselves to create specially designed wakeboards.

When these boards are combined with the proper wakesurfing rope, appropriate ballast, and an inboard boat, the experience is second to none. Proper care of each of these elements must be carefully considered, however, to ensure everyone’s safety. For instance, the wakesurfing rope is  typically much shorter than the wakeboarding rope, allowing surfers the opportunity to position themselves in the best part of the wake. Additionally, wakesurfing ballast bags provide the perfect amount of weight in just the right spot so that the hull creates optimum wakes. Most importantly of all, the close proximity of the surfer to the boat demands that only inboard  boats–those without exposed propellers–be used for wakesurfing.

While an understanding of the technical aspects of the sport is essential, top tips from the experts will also prove exceptionally helpful, especially since one of wakesurfing’s biggest draws is its ability to create ocean-like waves in lakes and reservoirs all across America. It used to be that people would have to travel to a coast in order to feel the invigoration and freedom of the waves. Wakesurfing offers that same feeling far from the beaches. Additionally, other water sports can take quite a toll on the human body. The slower speeds associated with wakesurfing though provides more cushioned falls for the participant.

These benefits coupled with the ease of learning the sport make wakesurfing a fabulous option for athletes of all ages; as a result, wakesurfing is one of the most rewarding water sports in existence. Please contact us today to make all of your wakesurfing adventures pleasant summer memories.

Parasailing enthusiasts will tell you it’s one of the most thrilling water sports around.  Even if you’ve never parasailed, it’s not hard to imagine why.  Picture yourself flying effortlessly across a blue sky, 300 to 500 feet in the air.  Imagine the spectacular view, as the shoreline expands from several hundred feet to several miles.

But you also have to imagine that parasailing accidents, though rare, do occur.  According to the Parasail Safety Council, any number of mistakes can cause an accident, from tow line separation to equipment failure to canopy rotation.  Fortunately, you can keep your parasailing adventure fun—and safe—by following some simple procedures.  Here are three must-do procedures to ensure your flight is safe:

1. Choose an Experienced Parasailing Company:  making sure your parasailing experience is a safe one is worth the time it takes to do a little research.  Check several companies out on the internet.  Find out how long each one has been in business, and what their safety record is.  Make sure the company you choose is officially licensed by the state and city in which it’s located.  Finally, your safest bet is to go with a boat captain who is licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard.  Above all, don’t choose a company based on price alone—the few dollars you save by going with an unlicensed company are insignificant compared to the risk of having an accident.
2. How’s the Weather?  This one seems obvious, but check the local weather report before you leave for the marina.  If the forecast includes high winds, fog or rain, or a storm in the offing, schedule your adventure for another day.  Even if it looks like clear skies and clear sailing, don’t hesitate to call the parasailing company on the day of your flight.  If you’ve done your research and found a reputable company, they’ll care about your safety and want to avoid any potential weather complications.
3. Discuss Safety Procedures with the Crew.  You need to know what can go wrong during your flight, and what to do in the event of an emergency.  Take the time to discuss safety procedures with the crew before you take off.  For example, if you feel the canopy begin to rotate, you’ll need to communicate with the crew, who are hundreds of feet below you and won’t hear you.  Discuss what hand signals to use so they know what the problem is and can communicate back to you what the appropriate corrective actions are.

In any water sport, whether it’s wakeboarding, water skiing or parasailing, accidents can and do happen.  But you can greatly increase the odds that your experience is a safe one by following some simple safety procedures.

To learn more about having an enjoyable—and safe—water sport adventure, contact us today!