Powder and ski enthusiasts have learned in recent years that ""banana"ski constructions are advantageous and are derived from water skiing. This original sport in particular is currently experiencing a huge boom: so-called "wakeski" are becoming established. You can find out what these new sports devices are all about and how the first major European competition turned out in the contest review and the accompanying background interview.
Shane McConkey and his colleagues have been trying to explain one thing to us powder skiers for years: Powder is more like water than concrete in terms of its consistency. Therefore, the gliding equipment should also be based on that of the original sport of "water skiing". Nowadays, this realization has even penetrated the conservative Arlberg swing ski camps - the number of "banana skis" is steadily increasing.
However, a new trend is currently emerging in the sport that gave rise to this: so-called "wakeski" are conquering the water ski facilities. Wakeski are a mixture of the well-known wakeboards with their banana-like shape - negative side pull, negative pretension, light materials, stable bindings - and the established water skis, of which you always have one piece on each leg.
Wakeski Open 2010
On July 31, the first notable competition in this still young trend sport took place in the Turncable Park in Thannhausen. 18 riders from all over Europe finally crowned the winner after a thrilling competition on the various obstacles and kickers: Sebastien Coll.
Results
1st Sebastien Coll
2nd Chri Böttcher
3rd Lukas Gütling
Background interview
Waterskiing and wakeboarding are familiar to many snowboarders and freeriders. So what is the new "wakeski" all about? What is the difference to water skiing and wakeboarding?
Bernhard Scholz, Turncable Thanhausen: Wakeboarding is very similar to snowboarding, except that the snow has already melted and you need a lot of push from a boat or water ski facility due to the lack of steepness. Of course, the equipment is also different: you don't need an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel, but you should wear a life jacket with impact protection. As in the snow, a helmet is highly recommended.
The boards and bindings also differ. Although classic water skis are relatively similar to the new wakeski, they are significantly heavier, less flexible to use and more difficult to ride. With wakeskis, it is possible to ride backwards ("switch"), and the buoyancy is also higher. They are slightly shorter than the old skis and therefore develop less torque when performing tricks. The bindings are much tighter and slightly higher at the ankle than on water skis, so you are better fixed and have more control. In addition, wakeskis are usually equipped with a grind base to protect the material when performing tricks over kickers, sliders or other obstacles. The riding experience is much closer to wakeboarding than water skiing. In principle, the development is similar to what happened at the end of the 90' years from classic skis to twintips.
What requirements do you need to be able to wakeski, is good looks enough?
BS: Even though good looks are always an advantage, they are not absolutely necessary for wakeskiing. Basically, anyone who can swim can wakeski, there is actually no age limit, but you should be of a certain age or stature. Children can wakeski from around 10 years of age, depending on their level of development of course. There is no upper age limit; the oldest water sports enthusiast seen on the Turncable to date is over 90 years old. However, the skeleton should not be damaged, especially if you have back problems, wakeskiing can be unhealthy. If you have any doubts, it is advisable to consult a doctor. High and long jumps can result in hard impacts, and unsuccessful tricks over obstacles sometimes end in plastic contact. However, it must be emphasized that the risk of injury is low.
Where can you practice this sport and try out wakeskiing?
BS: In principle, you can go wakeskiing wherever there is a body of water. There are around 60 water ski lifts in Germany (editor's note: overview of water ski facilities at www.wasserski.de), but there are significantly fewer in Austria and Switzerland. Some new facilities are currently being built in France.
The most expensive option is definitely having your own boat or winch. Even by the minute or hour, you have to dig deep into your pockets behind a boat or have a well-heeled fuel sponsor. In contrast, the prices at water ski lifts are similar to those of mountain railroads: day tickets range between 30 and 60 euros, and you can usually also buy cheap hourly tickets. As a beginner, a 2-hour ticket is usually enough, after that you hardly have any strength left to hold on to the bar anyway.
Our wake park (www.turncable.de) is unique with the number of obstacles, the short distances back to the start, two large lifts running in opposite directions, a small practice lift and an infrastructure that provides comprehensive support for athletes. "Obstacle wakeboards and wakeskis, which you can also use to ride over the obstacles, cost €17/€25 (2 hours/day) to hire. Life jackets and standard water skis are included in the price, as they are at most other facilities. Helmets are also included in the wakeski rental.
And what kind of investment do you need to plan for when buying this kind of equipment?
BS: If you buy all of your equipment, you should expect to pay around 1000 euros for the board or skis, bindings, helmet, life jacket and wetsuit. A price structure very similar to winter sports, only there are not as many facilities as ski resorts.
What is the "benefit value" for winter? Is wakeskiing also "worthwhile" as summer training for freeriders, or is it more for fashionable kids?
BS: When wakeboarding or wakeskiing, you use many of the same muscles as in winter on the mountain. As a freerider, you also normally have no coordination problems with your first "steps" on the water. The muscular snow legs are therefore retained when riding on lakes and rivers. If the water is very wavy, you have the feeling of riding a light mogul slope, you have to balance quickly and a lot. Calm water comes very close to deep snow. So you have to stay alert and agile. If you do tricks over kickers or other obstacles, the same skills are required as in a fun park. In fact, the best wakeski riders are also very good slopestylers.
However, you don't need as much strength in your legs as on snow, but your arms and upper body are put under more strain. Long-term endurance is also not quite as important. Instead, you can sit in a deckchair at any time, lie on the beach in the sun, admire the shapely bodies of the opposite sex without too much wrapping and (at the same time) gather your strength for the winter.
