About Kids' Water Skis

Water skiing is a terrific way to enjoy a day at the lake. Children as young as four can learn to water ski, but often adult skis are too cumbersome for them to manage. To help your child learn to water ski, you may wish to purchase one of a variety of kids' water skis to make the learning process easier. Kids' water skis are designed to be stable and help with the learning and balancing process. These skis can help make learning to water ski a fun and enjoyable experience.

  1. Function

    • Kids' water skis are designed to promote balance once the child is on top of the water. Some also are more buoyant to aid in "getting up" on the water. Kids' water skis also are shorter than adult skis and proportional to children's sizes.

    Types

    • Kids' water skis come in several different styles to help with training. Some sets of skis can be hooked together to help children get used to skiing with their feet parallel to each other. Others actually have an entire handlebar system, almost like a "water scooter." Still others are built like wake boards, with both feet attached to the same broad board. These are easier to stand up on than traditional skis, but they are not as easy to use as the water scooters.

    Benefits

    • If your child is just learning to water ski, teaching them on kids' skis can make the experience fun and exciting instead of frustrating. Kids' skis tend to make children feel more secure on top of the water, which helps them focus on how to stay up rather than on their fears. Furthermore, the fact that kids' skis are proportional to their bodies can help prevent injuries when the inevitable tumble occurs.

    Features

    • Kids' water skis are buoyant, while adult skis generally are not. This helps children stand up in the water better and decreases the strain on their shoulders and chests. Kids' skis are also designed for maximum stability once they are sitting on top of the water. Your child will not have to focus immediately on how to remain upright, but can simply hold on and enjoy the ride. Kids' water skis tend to be broad in the front to help the child "get up" on top of the water more easily. They may look almost like a large duck's feet or fans. Often they have a special tow rope attached directly to the skis in order to make pulling up and balancing feel more natural.

    Considerations

    • When you are buying kids' water skis, you will need to factor in the age and size of the child. The older the child, the more similar to adult skis the kids' skis should appear. Also, if your child is afraid of learning to ski, a training ski that resembles something familiar, like a scooter, can help them get over their initial trepidation about learning to water ski.

    Warning

    • Always wear a life vest when you are teaching water skiing or skiing yourself. Teach your children to do the same. Even if your child is a good swimmer, a wayward ski can seriously injure them and prevent them from staying afloat. Children's water skis are light weight and less likely to harm your child should they collide with the skis, but this does not mean that it is safe for a child to learn to ski without a life vest.