Water skiing is a fun sport for many people of all ages. Picking the right type of water skis can be a challenge, though. There are a bunch of factors to take into consideration when looking for the right water skis, and one of them is weight.
If you are on the heavier side, you might struggle to find a good pair of water skis. Luckily, many popular brands provide sturdy water skis for all body weights. In this article, we will offer you a wide range of some of the best water skis for heavier riders.
List of the Best Water Skis for Heavy Skiers
| Water Skis for Heavy Skiers | Best For |
| CWB Connelly Big Daddy Water Ski | Best Overall |
| Rave Sports Rhyme Adult Combo Skis | Runner Up |
| Airhead’s S-1300 Combo Skis | Most Versatile |
| O’Brien Vortex Combo Adult Skis | Speed |
| HO Blast Combo Skis | Beginners |
The 5 Best Water Skis for Heavy Skiers
1. CWB Connelly Big Daddy Waterski – Best Overall
The CWB Connelly’s Big Daddy water ski is the best pair of water skis for heavier riders. These wonderful skis are made of high-quality aluminum that keeps them sturdy and durable. They contain a closed-cell polyurethane foam resin core that makes them long-lasting.
These water skis also contain Connelly’s advanced profile technology that makes it easy for heavier adult water skiers to get on and strap their feet on. These sturdy water skis can carry over 220 lbs of weight thanks to their aluminum drop-through fin. The total weight of these skis is 12.5 lbs.
Pros VS Cons:
Pros:
- Great for advanced water skiers
- Great for heavier skiers
- High-quality
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
Cons:
- It might be hard for beginners to use
Bottom Line
The CWB Connelly Big Daddy waterski is the perfect option for heavier water skiers. These durable, high-quality water skis are easy to use and can carry over 220 lbs of weight. They are best used by advanced skiers.
2. Rave Sports Rhyme Adult Combo Skis – Runner Up
The Rave Sports Rhyme combo skis are another perfect option for heavier water skiers. They are made of high-quality composite which makes them durable, sturdy, and easy to use. The reason they are great for heavy riders is because of their wider body shape, which helps with stability.
This pair of combo skis is also great for deep water, and curving turns. Its high-quality design also provides less drag when pulling heavy water skiers from the water. This makes it easier on your boat because it takes a lot less power to pull skiers out of the water.
Boats easily tow water skiers, and both skis up on the water using the rear toe hold that these skis contain and then drop one ski to slalom. This makes it great for beginner slalom water riders, as they have comfortable foot boots that make this process easier.
Pros VS Cons:
Pros:
- Great for heavy weights
- Adjustable foot sizes
- Comfortable
- High-quality
- Durable
- Minimum drag
Cons:
- Not the best option for lighter water skiers
Bottom Line
The Rave Sports Rhyme adult skis are a great combo pair of skis for heavy water skiers that are made of high-quality materials. These materials make them durable, comfortable, and easy to get on. They have adjustable universal bindings that make for a comfortable experience for heavier riders.
3. Airhead’s S-1300 Combo Skis – Most Versatile
The Airhead S-1300 combo skis are an awesome combo pair of skis that are 67″ each. These skis are great for combo skiers thanks to their high-quality composite construction. They also feature fiberglass-reinforced nylon fins that make them durable and sturdy.
Not only that, but they also have wide tails and tunnel-shaped bottoms that help with control, performance, and stability, which is great for heavier water skiers who struggle with control on less sturdy water skis.
They have extremely comfortable bindings that are adjustable from US sizes 5-12. The reason these skis are great for versatility is that they work great for many levels of skill. They work great for advanced riders as well as beginner water skiers.
Pros VS Cons:
Pros:
- Sturdy
- Comfortable, adjustable combo bindings
- Affordable
- Great for all skill levels
- Great for heavy water skiers
Cons
- Bulky
Bottom Line
No matter what level of skier you are, the Airhead’s S-1300 is another perfect option for heavier skiers. These water skis are durable and sturdy and contain extremely comfortable bindings that will make your water skiing journey unforgettably comfortable and safe.
4. O’Brien Vortex Combo Adult Skis – Best for Speed
The O’Brien Vortex Combo adult skis are made for faster riders. This combo pair is great for heavier-weight skiers and will guarantee a comfortable water skiing experience for any type of skier. You can be speedy with this pair of skis with minimum effort, thanks to its double tunnel base design.
Its fins are made of nylon on the underside of the water skis, which makes them great for holding underwater. They are also durable and sturdy but have a soft surface, which makes them comfortable and easy for heavy skiers to get on. They are also great for deep water slalom starts.
Pros VS Cons:
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Sturdy
- High-quality
- Great for heavy skiers
- Great for speed
Cons:
- Not the greatest for light water skiers
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a pair of water skis that can help you gain speed easily, the O’Brien Vortex combo adult skis are the ones for you. Their high-quality materials and great, unique design make them easy for heavy skiers to use. They are also extremely comfortable and sturdy.
5. HO Blast Combo Skis – Best for Beginners
The HO Blast combo water skis are another good option for heavier skiers. This pair of combo skis are great for beginners because of its handy compatible HO trainer bars. This helps beginner skiers with balance, stability, and adjustability.
Not only that, but these skis also have adjustable horse-shoe bindings, which are wide and comfortable enough for heavy water skiers to adjust to their liking. The wide design of these durable skis also makes them a lot easier for heavy skiers to use.
These skis also have a V-Bottom design. This design makes heavy skiers more confident in stabilizing their bodies while water skiing and tracking where they need to go with ease. These fantastic water skis are a favorite among many.
Pros VS Cons:
Pros:
- Great for deep water skiing
- Great for beginners
- Comfortable
- Handy V-bottom design
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Wider foot size
Bottom Line
If you are a heavier skier who is just starting out, the HO Blast combo skis are a great choice. They are sturdy and have a wide design that is comfortable and easy to use. These skis also contain wide foot sizes which are adjustable. We recommend checking them out.
How to Pick the Best Water Skis for Heavy Skiers?
There are a bunch of factors that you need to consider when looking for the perfect type of water skis if you are on the heavier side. Some of these factors are included for your safety, while others are included for your comfort.
Some of these important factors include your ability, the ski type you prefer, the size of the ski, the materials, the bindings, and their price. Keep reading to find out how you can be the perfect pair of water skis for you.
Ski Size
The size of your skis plays a big role in how comfortable you are going to be while skiing. The average size of a water ski is about 59 to 72 inches. For some water skiers, however, these sizes do not suffice. You need to learn your body weight to be able to pick the right water ski for you.
For example, adult skiers weighing from 150 to 190 pounds will feel more comfortable with water skis that are 66 to 68 inches long, while heavier riders who weigh anything about 190 pounds are more likely to feel comfortable with skis that are 68 to 72 inches long.
The wider your water skis are, the better and more comfortable you will feel as a heavy skier. You want a pair of water skis that are going to fit you well enough, so you can balance and stabilize yourself on the water. There are also specially designed water skis made for heavier riders.
Your Skill Level
Your skill level is another important factor to consider when looking for a pair of water skis if you are a heavier person. If you are a beginner water skier, you should opt for combo or trainer water skis. If you are a more experienced rider, you will know what type suits you and your body weight.
Knowing where you stand, skill-wise, with water skiing is a great guide to help you pick the right type of water skis for you. The more you practice, the more you will learn what type of skis suit you best. If you are a heavier water skier, we recommend choosing a type with a wide width.
Type of Skis
There is many types of skis that are sold on the market today. Two of the most popular ski types include combo and slalom water skis. Below, we will discuss some types even further to give you a better understanding of how each type works.
1. Combo Skis
Combos skis are the most popular type of water skis, and they come in pairs. This type of ski usually comes with a pair of skis. One of them contains two bindings, while the other contains two. This gives riders the freedom to switch between the two skis. Combo skis are the best choice for beginner riders.
2. Trainer Skis
This type of ski is usually given to children who are just starting to learn how to water ski. These skis are each connected with a stabilizer bar. These bars help children keep their feet intact and firm on their water skis. Trainer skis are rarely ever offered to adults.
3. Slalom Skis
Slaloms are for more experienced riders or riders who are comfortable enough to learn on them. Slalom skis are sold as one ski, and each contains two bindings. This type of ski is made for riders who enjoy doing tricks and water skiing at fast speeds.
4. Trick Skis
Trick water skis are a rounder type of water skis. They are also smaller and fatter and contain a flat bottom. This unique design helps riders glide easily over the water in any direction they choose. They are often sold in pairs but can be sold as solos as well.
They are sort of similar to snowboards in the sense that they contain a rear binding that is canted in a certain direction. This type of ski is used by more experienced water skiers who enjoy doing tricks and jumps in the water.
Choosing the right type of water skis can work wonders for you as a heavy skier. We recommend going for any of those types of skis that match your experience level, as long as they have a wide enough width that can carry your weight and help you with balance.
Materials
You should also consider the materials your water skis are made of. The reason for this is that you will want a pair of water skis that are durable and sturdy enough to carry your weight and keep you balanced and stabilized while water skiing.
Water skis are usually made of durable materials such as fiberglass, graphite, polyurethane foam, or carbon fiber. You could also get a combination of some of these materials. High-end water skis usually contain graphite or carbon fiber, or both, while affordable skis usually contain fiberglass.
Price Range
Water skis come in different shapes, sizes, and prices. If you are looking for a sturdy, durable type of water ski, you do not need to spend a fortune. However, if you can afford a more high-end pair of water skis, you should opt for ones that help with shock absorption.
If you like to save money, however, there are plenty of high-quality water skis that are just as durable for heavy skiers to use. You could set a budget for yourself to help you choose the right type of water ski for you.
As long as they contain high-quality materials and are wide enough to carry your weight, your water skis do not have to cost you too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Slalom Skis as a Heavy Water Skier?
You can use slalom water skis as a heavy water skier. It is recommended that you use this type of ski if you have experience. We also recommend you go for slalom skis that are wide enough to be able to carry your weight and help you with balance and stability.
Is it Easier to Water Ski with One or Two Skis?
It is a lot easier to ski with two water skis, especially for heavier riders. Two skis allow you to be pulled from the water more easily. This is also especially true for beginner water skiers. More advanced riders will normally go for one ski.