National Water Ski
History and Description
ski athletes who feel the need for speed participate in water ski racing
competitions. The roots of ski racing are planted firmly in California and
Arizona. Although most participants compete at speeds between 35 and 70
miles per hour, elite athletes compete at extreme speeds of up to 100 miles
racing athletes compete in two types of races. In a marathon race, athletes
travel from point A to B in an all-out dash for the finish line. Circle
races are timed events in an oval course. Protective headgear and
flotation devices are worn by athletes, drivers and observers. Competitors
also wear neck braces and other protective survival gear to soften the
blow of becoming a human crash-test dummy when falling at such high
National Water Ski Racing Association (NWSRA) was formed 41 years ago in
Southern California when a handful of water skiing daredevils got
together and began water ski racing events. The organization joined USA
Water Ski as a sport division in 1991 and now has more than 600 members.
the late 1940s, several water ski and boat clubs in Southern California,
bored with competing against each other, began challenging other clubs
to friendly water ski and boat races. Today, the inter-club rivalry has
evolved to include competitive events between participants from Oregon
to the Mexican border, as well as in the states of Nevada and Arizona.
International Water Ski Federation (world governing body) sanctioned the
first Water Ski Racing World Championships in 1979. The Worlds have been
held every two years since.