People water ski in the ocean all the time. It is safe and fun. But skiing in the ocean is different from freshwater because of the increased buoyancy, the tides and currents, and the colder water. In this article we explain how to ski in the ocean and a lot more.
Read on for more information about skiing in the ocean.
Can You Ski in the Ocean
Yes, you can definitely ski in the ocean. My friend who lives in Hawaii does it all the time.
However, it’s important to realize that skiing in the ocean is different than skiing in a lake.
You have to make certain you go when the tide isn’t too strong and the the waves aren’t too big. Obviously, skiing in the surf would be impossible! These aren’t considerations with freshwater water skiing.
Weather can make a big difference in the ocean – more so than on a lake or river. So keep an eye out for high or strong winds because the water surface changes quickly. Ocean storms can be tricky and conditions can deteriorate before you know it!
And unlike many small local lakes, if there happens to be too many people you can just motor to another section of coastline. There’s always a spot with plenty of space and no other boats.
Is Skiing in Salt Water Different than Freshwater
As a water skier in salt water, your ability to ski is improved by two factors: buoyancy and friction.
Salt water is more buoyant than fresh water, so you are able to float more easily. This makes swimming a lot easier in the ocean than in a freshwater lake. But does this difference matter when water skiing?
Increased Buoyancy
When you’re water skiing on fresh water, there’s less buoyant forces to help raise up out of the water compared to salt water. This makes getting up becomes more difficult.
In contrast, when waterskiing in saltwater where there are always higher levels of natural buoyancy due to being lighter than freshwater. You don’t need to drive through or “plane” on water as aggressively in salt water, increasing the length of time that you can be airborne and making it easier to get up and off water.
Your body is lighter in saltwater than it would be in freshwater because of its greater buoyance. For a water skier, this means it’s easier to get up because you’re already floating higher in the water.
You Can Ski at Slower Speeds in Salt Water
Ask any off shore racer what water is “faster” and most will say salt. The difference between the two results from buoyancy – salt makes the water slightly heavier, which means that anything immersed in it becomes lighter. A lightweight boat will plane more quickly and run faster.
A water skier, being relatively light, will ride higher on salt water too. Again, this is due to the increased buoyancy of the ocean. Because you’re naturally riding higher, you don’t need to ski as fast in salt water as you would in freshwater.
For a beginner, being able to ski at slower speeds makes it a lot easier. Especially when crossing the wake.
Dealing with Tides Skiing in the Ocean
When you’re water skiing in the ocean, you’ll encounter changes in the tides. As the water moves in and out, it creates currents. Currents shouldn’t be a big problem for you while skiing, but it may make it difficult to keep your boat on a straight line.
Rip tides are a different matter. If you fall in an area with strong tides or breaking waves, the boat may have difficulty picking you up. I suggest staying away from shore where currents and waves are more challenging. Be sure to check the tide charts and ask at the local marina about local hazards.
During high tide, you won’t have to worry about navigational hazards like submerged rocks or sand bars. Normally, this won’t matter because you can move farther offshore and ski in the deeper water. The important thing is to know the local area and understand what the boating hazards are.
Waterskiing in the ocean may sound like something only possible on YouTube, but believe me it’s totally doable !
Skiing in the Ocean and Waves
The waves in the ocean tend to be much bigger than you’ll find in freshwater. In some areas you may find swells that are 6 feet and higher!
Fortunately, there is usually a good distance between the waves. Even though the crest may be really high, you can ski up and down the wave because the tops are far apart. I’ve seen people skiing on the ocean where the skier disappears from the spotter’s view because a big wave is between them!
A good technique in big seas is to run parallel to the waves. This allows you to gently rise up and down without having to cross over a big wave.
One big advantage of skiing in the ocean, even with big waves – there are no other boat wakes to deal with.
Will Sharks Attack Water Skiers
Anytime someone does anything in the ocean, they always ask “what about sharks?”. It doesn’t matter if you’re swimming, surfing, or water skiing. People are naturally afraid of being attacked by a shark.
The answer is – sharks won’t bother you while you’re skiing. The odds of being attacked by sharks are extremely low. Despite this, it still makes for a good headline.
There is a scene in the movie Jaws where a water skier is pursued by the great white shark. Jaws catches up to the skier and takes her down in one quick bite. The scene ends with the ski handle skimming across the top of the water as the captain turns the boat around. The only thing left is half a ski.
Watch the Video on YouTube
As far as I know, there has never been a shark attack on a water skier.
It’s not likely that the hum from your ski boat will attract them either! The chances of being attacked by a shark while water skiing are also very slim. So fear should never stop you from skiing in the ocean.
Dangers of Ocean Water Skiing
It is important to be aware when water skiing in the ocean. There are many threats that can happen while water skiing, including crashing into a boat or another object and hitting rocks under the water surface.
However, these are the risks you face anytime you’re on a boat in the water. Being in the ocean doesn’t make them any more dangerous.
The waves can also present dangers for skiers as they may cause you to fall or possibly injure yourself. Rip tides are a hazard in some areas. For a water skier, they can be dangerous if you fall and get caught in the current. If the boat can’t get to you, you may have to fight the tide and swim your way out.
The key is to be mindful of your surroundings and keep an eye out for danger. Take precautions to avoid high risk situations. If you’re smart, you’ll be safe and have a great time skiing in the ocean!
Cold Water Hazards Skiing in the Ocean
The ocean is colder than most lakes and rivers. This is especially true in the Pacific Ocean.
Water skiers are at risk of becoming hypothermic after spending some time in the water. The condition can lead to reduced brain function and organs may fail!
If you’re skiing in cold water, take precautions. Here are things you do to avoid hypothermia:
- Wear a wetsuit
- Don’t stay in the water too long
- Drink hot fluids like tea
- Take breaks
- Dry off and wrap yourself in a dry towel
Even if the water is cold, you can still ski and have fun. You just have to be smart.
Best Boat for Skiing in the Ocean
The Nautique Sport is the best boat for water skiing in the ocean.
My Rationale: The design of the average ski boat is meant to keep its nose down while speeding. But when you’re riding on waves in the ocean it’s extremely important that your nose stays up.
If you think about what might be going wrong with a typical watercraft hull, the swells in the ocean cause the boat to perform very different than it would on a lake. This means you’re better off with boat design with an engine in the back of the boat. The only boat with a class A-rated wake and an engine in the back that I know about is the Nautique Sport.
Equipment Corrosion and Salt Water
When you ski in the ocean, all of your gear is exposed to salt water. And salt can be very corrosive.
So you have to take good care of your water ski equipment and always rinse it before storing. You might even want to store the water skis in a container with anti-corrosion wax to protect it.
Your boat is the equipment most vulnerable to corrosion and damage from salt water. So be sure to rinse the boat and water ski equipment after every use.
My Take on Water Skiing on the Ocean
I think water skiing is the best sport there is. Skiing in the ocean is a different experience compared to freshwater skiing. You’re more buoyant so you can get up easier and faster. You can also ski at a slower speed which changes the entire experience.
If you’re near the ocean and have an opportunity to ski, take it. You can’t go wrong skiing in the ocean!