INTERNATIONAL WATERSKI & WAKEBOARD FEDERATION

About

Waterskiing was first invented in 1922 when basic equipment like a pair of boards and a clothesline. The experimentation was with several techniques until the method of leaning back with the ski tips poking out of the water was settled on. During this period, several variations of skis were built and eventually lumber with bindings made of leather strips was settled on, but never patented. The first patent was filed in 1925 in New York. Waterskiing was eventually included in the 1972 Olympics. Barefoot water skiing is performed in a specially designed wetsuit instead of the life jacket. This is to add further protection in case of a fall. The speeds achieved during barefoot waterskiing are higher than with normal waterskiing. The back of the wetsuit is also thicker to aid the skier when they glide on their backs. An aluminum bar fastened to the side of the boat can also be used instead of a rope.  

Wakeboarding is a water board sport that combines waterskiing, surfing, snowboarding, and skating. This explosive and energetic activity consists of a rider standing sideways on a short, wide board while being towed by a boat. The boat creates a big wake, which is then surfed and used as a ramp by the wakeboarder, translating into incredible big air tricks, grabs, flips, and jumps. It all started in the mid-sixties in the United States, when surfers looked for other ways to create waves to surf when the ocean was flat. Reasonably enough, they pioneered into getting towed behind a loaded-up speedboat (to create more wake) and be able to surf. Later, they improved their boards, strapped boots to them, worked on their tricks and jumps, and unknowingly invented one of the sports that would change watersports forever.  

Nowadays, the sport has evolved immensely; even though the wakeboarder still gets towed and takes advantage of the wake that the boat creates, the impulse of the wake has been replaced by ramps of different sizes, slides, fun boxes, and other obstacles that allow the athlete to do tricks that would be impossible to achieve just by using the impulse of the water. The International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) is the world governing body for all competitive and recreational towed water sports. It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation

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