It’s a question that many of us have asked at some point in our lives. Is water skiing still popular? The answer is yes, and this blog post will show you why!
The popularity of water skiing has seen its ups and downs. The sport’s popularity increased steadily from its invention up to its peak in 1972 when it was selected as an Olympic exhibition sport. Interest in water skiing faded in the 1980s after TV networks and cable channels stopped covering it. Despite these highs and lows, water skiing remains an incredibly popular sport.
Water skiing is one adrenaline-pumping activity that never gets old. Whether you’re an experienced competitor who wants more challenging courses or just looking to fill your child’s birthday party with amazing memories – this sport has something for everyone!
Continue reading to find out whether water skiing is still popular. You’ll find the answer very intriguing!
Water Skiing’s Popularity Over Time
Water skiing has exploded in popularity over the past century thanks to its endless opportunities for fun, family bonding time at a lakefront or ocean front vacation destination. From children learning how to water ski to families skiing at the local lake to international competitions, water skiing is a popular and exhilarating sport!
It may come as a surprise to some, but yes, water skiing is still popular. In fact, the number of people who enjoy it has continually increased over time – and that speaks volumes about how much fun it is!
The popularity of water skiing has risen and fallen over time. Following its creation in 1922, it quickly became popular, especially in the United States.
Over the next 40 years, it became a huge success. It was featured on television shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s. American advertisers featured water skiers in commercials and billboard ads. Everyone was watching and talking about water skiing!
The popularity of water skiing peaked in the 1972 when it was selected as an Olympic exhibition sport. Over the next decade water skiing’s popularity faded, especially when television networks and cable channels stopped covering it.
Despite the “rise and fall” of water skiing in the media, it was always popular among the recreational community. This is because it appeals to families, competitive athletes, and casual observers.
It still remains an incredibly popular sport, and I think it always will.
Popularity of Recreational Skiing
The water skiing community can be divided into two groups: recreational skiers and competition skiers. The vast majority of skiers (including me!) fall into the recreational group. Competition skiers are the best of the best, so it’s natural that this group would be smaller.
Water skiing has been popular with recreational athletes since its invention. It’s a fun way to get outside, stay in shape and enjoy the water.
Water skiing is the perfect activity for families. Children as young as 4 can learn to ski, and there is no upper age limit for the sport.
In 2017, the number of water skiers aged six years and older was approximately 3.57 million. The graph to the right shows the number of skiers (in millions) ranging from 2006 to 2017.
Waterskiing is a popular recreational pastime in Europe and the United States, with over 600 local associations or clubs that are specifically dedicated to water sports. These organizations include both competitive and recreational skiers.
The continuing success of these clubs is a good indication of how popular water skiing is around the world.
Popularity of Competition Skiing
Water skiing, like all sports, has organized competitions. These events are very popular with spectators, many of whom are wanna be champions themselves. Competitions for water skiing draw big crowds every year.
Interest in competitive water skiing has grown considerably over the years and continues to attract many more enthusiasts.
Competition in the US
In the United States, USA Water Ski (USAWS), is the governing body for all tow sports – this includes water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and barfoot skiing.
The most popular is 3-event water skiing that includes slalom, trick, and jump.
The American Water Ski Association (a subsidiary of USAWS) was created just for these events. They are responsible for the sanctioning of approximately 900 tournaments every year.
This includes three events:
- The World Championships in July which draws professionals from all over the world to compete against each other and show their skills
- U16 National Team Trials where up-and-coming water ski athletes have an opportunity to earn spots on this national team
- Collegiate Nationals where collegiate skiers can come together after competing throughout the season at various regional competitions
The Lack of a World Championship
Many of the world’s top skiers come to North America in order to compete at the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) championship. However, due to a lack of participation from other countries, it has been relegated as an IWSF-only tournament. The water skiing world championship is currently a largely American affair.
A Lack of Sponsorships
Water skiing has not been able to get any big sponsors, and at the moment many of its top athletes are struggling financially as a result. The lack of professional water skiers also means that there are not enough people who can train on their own dime.
Water Skiing on Television
Water skiing is an exciting sport to watch. It is fast, graceful, and there is the thrill of head to head competition. It’s perfect for television.
It goes without saying that airtime is a big part of what makes a sport popular with the masses. When fans can watch their favorite sport on TV, participation soars and things are looking up.
The early days of TV for water skiing
In the late 1950’s and early 60’s, water skiing tournaments were televised. NBC’s Wide, Wide World broadcast a Cypress Gardens in 1955 to an audience of 30 million people. The widely popular Ed Sullivan show routinely had water skiers on throughout the 1960s.
Unfortunately, the rules of water ski competition don’t make for good TV. The weaker skiers compete first and the best and fastest come at the end.
Sports producers became frustrated because in many competitions, the winning skiers didn’t appear until after the show had ended. The final straw for the networks came in 1966 when the elite skiers didn’t compete until nightfall – at that point it was too dark to cover them.
Water skiing on TV today
Television networks were very eager for content in the 1980s, and water skiing was a perfect opportunity. Cable channels like USA, TBS, and ESPN would broadcast tournaments with hours-long programming blocks. However as problems from previous broadcasts reoccurred and more programs became available on TV screens nationwide to compete against this niche genre of sports broadcasting – water skiing took an unfortunate tumble back into obscurity where it has remained since that time period.
Water Skiing and Advertising
Throughout the history of water skiing, advertisers have been obsessed with the sport. They were especially drawn to its family appeal and intense energy. Brands like Chevrolet, Pepsi, and Kellogg’s featured skiers in their commercials.
In the 1980s, professional skiing was a close-knit community with a high profile. There were two print magazines dedicated to water skiing and another from the American Water Ski Association. The top skiers were celebrities earning six figure salaries with access to rock stars at their beckoning call for partying.
ESPN covered water skiing because of sponsorships from big names like Budweiser and Coors Beer. The number of beer commercials featuring top skiers is endless!
The Olympics and Water Skiing’s Popularity
Water skiing was recognized as a sports exhibition in the 1972 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) featured the sport in Keil, West Germany, and it was well received by spectators and fans.
Many in the water skiing community felt like the sport had arrived as an international competitive sport!
Unfortunately, the IOC banned motorized sports from the Olympics the following year. Water skiing has not made it back to the largest sport’s stage in over 50 years, despite attempts to add it to the Summer Games.
It’s been neglected by news media and the Olympic committee alike.
Does Anyone Water Ski Anymore
Ralph Samuelson built the first water skis out of pine boards in 1922. Nearly 100 years later, what was originally an experiment has evolved into over 11 million Americans enjoying this sport all across the world.
Water skiing is one of the most popular recreational activities in America. It has seen a boom over the last quarter century, and more than 15 million Americans participate in water skiing. Europeans also love this sport; there are just as many people participating on their side of the Atlantic Ocean!
A key factor in the sport’s popularity has been the increased availability of recreational power boats. In the early days of water skiing, a good boat was extremely expensive – beyond the reach of many people.
Fortunately, the relative cost of owning a boat has become much more affordable. Boats are still expensive! But there are many boats that an average family can buy.
In addition, a used boat is cheaper, and the improved quality in boatmaking means they last longer. You can also rent a ski boat or hire a boat with a captain in many areas. There are many options if you want to ski!
Did Wakeboarding Steal Water Skiing’s Popularity
Wakeboarding is an exciting and enjoyable way to have fun on the water. It’s a very different sport than slalom skiing. Even so, it still has its own upsides that make wakeboarders enjoy both sports equally from time-to-time.
When wakeboarding first came along, it became the new thing. Everyone was talking about it and everyone wanted to do it. Water skiing dropped of the radar screen of pop culture.
At the time, it seemed like no on wanted to ski anymore. The media completely ignored water skiing and focused on wakeboarding.
Wakeboarding has matured in recent years, and, as a result, it’s popularity dipped. Why? For starters, it’s not a new fad anymore and it’s lost the shine of being a novelty. Secondly, due to its now “mainstream acceptance” it’s no longer the “bad boy” of water sports.
Fortunately, water skiing and wakeboarding are no longer competitors in the same market because their popularity isn’t mutually exclusive – people can enjoy both these watersports without having to choose.
Water skiing and wakeboarding are now enjoying about the same level of participation and popularity. Both sports are practiced by the masses, and both sports are incredibly popular.
My Take on Water Skiing’s Popularity
Water skiing is a great sport. It’s my favorite thing to do!
Water skiing is, and will forever be, a popular sport!