Ocean Realm

Wake boarding and water skiing are entirely two different sports although there appears to be some similarity between the two.

The most obvious difference between the two sports is in the nature of the ride itself. Water skiing is a simple sport whereas wake boarding seems to be a combination of different sports. The principle of water skiing is based on being towed around by a speed boat. Wake boarding also includes being towed around by a speed boat but it includes features also common to surfing, snow boarding and skate boarding.

Water skiing is generally a sport involving the simple pleasure of skiing on water. It is not concerned with jumping wakes and riding waves. It is more of a smooth sailing ride unlike wake boarding which is a rough riding sport . Wake boarders, like surfers, ride on waves or rather wakes left by the speed boat behind which it is towed and as such a major factor in wake boarding is the size of the wakes.

The different nature of the two sports is reflected in the individual sports gear as well. Wake boarders use a board much like a surf board but include foot straps and fins for better balance over waters while a water skier uses the traditional water skis for riding on water. Unless you are slalom skiing, skiers generally use two different skis for both feet whereas wake boarders use a single board.

The boats used to pull these sports riders are also of different makes. A water skier’s tow boat can be any simple boat but the wake boarders need to use specially designed speed boats. The boats used for wakeboards have increased weight at the rear to create higher and steeper waves. Almost all wakeboard boats have the engine placed backwards at the rear of the boat as a load increasing measure. As the height of the waves is directly proportional to the weight of the stern, the engine is placed backwards at the rear for added weight. Most manufacturers spend a lot on R&D for new knowledge in further weighing down the stern as a means to create higher wakes for wake boarding.

The ropes used to pull the skiers and the wake boarders also belong to opposite categories. While the ropes used in wakeboard belong to the non stretch variety, the water ski sports requires ropes with some stretch which helps to pull the skier back and forth as he rides along the curve.

Now that you know the differences, visit the following website for more information: Water Ski Equipment Discount Wakeboards

categories: wakeboard,water ski,ski,water sports