Waveski facts for kids
Waveskis are like surfboards that you sit on! They used to be called "Paddle Skis." This exciting sport mixes the power of paddling with the cool moves you can do on a surfboard.
A waveski looks a lot like a big surfboard. It has a special seat, fins, foot straps, and a seat belt. These parts help you stay attached to the board, even when you're doing tricks. If you flip over, you can even do an "eskimo roll" to get back upright! Waveski riders use a paddle with two ends to move through the water while sitting. To turn, you lean your body and use your paddle to guide the board.
How Waveskis Began
In the 1970s, a surfer named Danny Broadhurst from Long Island, New York, made some of the very first waveskis. These early boards were heavy and hard to steer. The sport really started to grow in the 1980s. Companies like Macski and Kolaski became very popular. They sent waveskis all over the world, including to Australia, the USA, and Europe.
The first waveskis had wooden frames covered in fiberglass. Later, they were made from hollow molds. Then, foam was injected into the molds. Today, many waveskis are custom-made by hand from special foam and strong resins. Modern waveskis are often shaped by computer-controlled machines. They are very light, weighing about 6 kilograms (13 lb).
Riding the Waves
Waveski riders have been doing amazing tricks since the 1980s. Many of these moves, like aerials (jumping into the air) and flip aerials, are only now becoming common in regular surfing. The sport is becoming popular again in places like Brazil and France. Sometimes, waveski competitions are held with river and sea kayak sports because they are similar.
Waveski competitions are a lot like regular surfing contests. Judges watch how well riders perform on the waves. Each rider gets about 20 minutes to show off their skills.
Waveski Gear
High-performance waveskis are made to be light and strong. They weigh about 6–8 kilograms (13–18 lb). They are custom-made using special materials like epoxy resin and EPS foam. Waveskis are designed for surfing ocean waves. There are also "surf skis," but these are made for racing in open water, not for surfing waves.
There are different types of waveski designs:
- Australian Style: These skis are shorter and wider. They are great for fast, powerful turns and tricks.
- American Style: These waveskis have their own unique design.
- Skegles Skis: These are made for doing special tricks.
- Tandem Skis: These are bigger waveskis that two people can ride together!
- Jbay Wave-Shape Ski: This design lets riders sit further back on the ski. This helps them turn the board even better.
See also
